Granny Apple Fries & Vanilla Cream

A couple of weeks ago we decided to take our family on a little vacation to celebrate the end of the school year and to kick start our summer.  We wanted to go somewhere we hadn't been before and thanks to The Lego Movie, commercials, and the Get Away Today pamphlet that my son brought home from school in his backpack, we decided Legoland would be perfect.  

We spend the first day we got there sightseeing, shopping, and we hit the beach for a picnic lunch.  Finally (according to my six year old) we made it to Legoland.  It was amazing!!!!  I can't say enough good things about it.  There is an aquarium, water park, rides, stations to build things, a 4-D movie, and so, so, so much more.  Plus, it was so much less crowded than other places we have gone.  Just a fun trip all around.

One of the great things we found there was the cutest little food booth called Granny's Apple Fries.  These little pieces of awesome are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and dusted in cinnamon and sugar.  They also came with the a dollop of whipped cream.  

We ordered two of these and sat down to eat.  Once I started eating it was hard to stop long enough to take a breath and I knew it was something I wanted to figure out and make at home.  Through a little bit of trial and error I came up with these, and according to my kids they are even better than the ones we had at Legoland.  Hope you all enjoy.

Granny Apple Fries & Vanilla Cream

Vanilla Cream 

1/2 c Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 TBSP granulated sugar

Pour cold whipping cream into a bowl and beat on high with electric hand mixer for 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken.  Add vanilla and sugar.  Then beat 2-4 more minutes on high until it forms stiff peaks.  Store in fridge to keep cold until you've fried up your apples.

Granny Apple Fries

2 granny smith apples

1/3 c corn starch

1/4 c sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Canola Oil (for frying)

In a small bowl mix sugar and cinnamon.  Set aside.  Heat oil in deep fryer.  You could also use an electric skillet or a pan on the stove,with at least 1 inch of oil in the bottom, making sure to maintain a temperature of about 365 degrees. It's important to use Canola oil and not regular vegetable oil as the canola is a much lighter oil and will give you a much less greasy final result.   

Cut apples in quarters, then core them (remove seeds), and peel the skin off.  You can leave the skin on but we tried it both ways and liked them better with the skin removed.  Next, you will cut  your apples into strips just like you would if you were cutting french fries.  

Then you roll each piece of apple in the corn starch till lightly coated, shaking off any excess.  

Fry coated apples for 4-6 minutes until they start to turn a golden color.  Remove from oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels, which will absorb the extra oil.  Then generously sprinkle your cinnamon and sugar mixture over them.  (I'll admit, I really covered them in cinnamon and sugar, but that's the way I like it.)

Serve warm with the vanilla cream.  Enjoy!

As a side note, the vanilla cream recipe is my recipe that I use to make whipped cream for everything from Banana Cream Pie to fruit salad.  I use it instead of store bought whipped topping because it is just so much better.  I swear once you try it you will never buy whipped topping again. Also, a serving size is about 1 apple per person.