I stepped outside to grab the newspaper when my face was promptly met with a light snap of cold…the first real chill of the season.
So upon returning to my kitchen, there was no question that the aromas of strong dark coffee with a hint of cinnamon and my seasonal favorite spiced pumpkin candle would perfume the air within minutes. And the recipe I would tackle would be as warming and comforting as a chenille wrap on a cold autumn’s day.
Why do fritters come to my mind when seeking comfort? Does that happen to you, too? And luckily, because we can’t leave the grocery store these days without stocking up on fall pantry staples, I knew I had pumpkin puree at the ready…which meant – Pumpkin & Nutmeg Fritters with Vanilla Cream was soon to be born.
Of course, if you have fresh puree, you can use that, but canned works just as well and proves convenient (especially) for days like this.
And what’s a fritter without its dipping sauce. Am I right?
I happened to have some heavy whipping cream left over from a tiramisu I made recently so homemade whipped cream it was. But not your typical whipped cream, this one needed to pack more of a flavor punch than usual. Not that ‘the usual’ isn’t perfect – I just wanted a little more – so I increased the measure of vanilla and added a little confectioners’ sugar to the cream. Success.
This recipe comes together pretty seamlessly. Once your wet and dry ingredients are combined it’s just a matter of heating about a half inch of olive oil in a heavy bottomed sauté pan and dropping scant tablespoons worth of pumpkin mix into the oil.
Cook for about two minutes on each side, pressing and flipping as you go. Once you see the color go from light orange to a deep russet after about four minutes, they’re ready.
This recipe did not come together without its trial. The flavor from my first batch was agreeable, however, a little more savory than I wanted. Since I was going for more a dessert-style fritter, I added a small amount of sugar, which was by no means an avalanche but a light snowfall of sweet that produced the exact flavor I was going for. I made a few more adjustments and I was in business.
With apple being the star these days, it’s fun to give the ever-so-flexible fritter some options.
These puffy little pumpkin pie flavored beauties are super easy and so satisfying.
Buon Appetito!
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Pumpkin & Nutmeg Fritters with Vanilla Cream
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- Vanilla Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla
- 2 tsp. confectioners’ sugar
- Pumpkin-Nutmeg Fritters
- 1 1/2 cups (15 oz.) canned pumpkin
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. finely ground black pepper
- Olive Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, using a hand mixer, whip heavy cream with vanilla and confectioners’ sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Cover and place cream in the refrigerator until needed.
- In a medium bowl, place the pumpkin puree.
- In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork then stir into the pumpkin.
- In another bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Add the dry ingredients to the puree mixture and combine to form a light batter.
- Heat about 1/2 inch olive oil in a heavy sauté pan.
- Drop scant tablespoons of batter into the oil, flattening them slightly and turning as they become golden.
- Fry in small batches, cooking for about 2 minutes on each side.
- Drain the fritters on paper towels and serve warm with vanilla cream.
Ciao!
Annie, your writing, photos, and this recipe are indeed, as “warm and comforting as a chenille wrap on a cold autumn’s day.” Thanks for transporting me to a wonderful place. These fritters are so creative, and I would devour them myself!
Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend. xo
I have never made my own fritters before, but always thought it looked fun. These look so tempting. And that warm vanilla cream on top? Yum!
This is a good fritter recipe to begin with…it doesn’t get much easier! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Annie,
Mmmmmm…this recipe is right in my wheelhouse! These pumpkin fritters provide further evidence of why fall, in these parts, is our favorite season! Pumpkins and apples…their abundance surrounds us and add to the colors of the season. Definitely trying these!
Love you!
Dad
That is happiness! Thrilled to know you could be snacking on this simple seasonal treat in no time! Mangia! Love you!
I couldn’t agree more! There is something very comforting about eating fritters when it gets cold. I’m loving the vanilla cream over these aromatic pumpkin fritters!
Thank you, dear! You know what I’d like with this? A cup of tea with your homemade chai spice! 🙂
I need to buy nutmeg!! You know how you always just assume you have a certain spice in your cabinet? Well we haven’t had nutmeg in ours at home for at least a year and I keep just trying to add more cinnamon, ginger, and allspice into my baked goods to make up for it, but these fritters are definitely motivating me to remember to get some! So yum 🙂
Hahaha! I know exactly what you’re talking about! I always think I have curry powder…hahaha – this is cracking me up! Thank you so much, my dear! Put nutmeg on your list when exams are done! 😉
I love all things deep fried and it’s been so long since I’ve made a fritter. These look delicious and more trials just means a more perfected recipe. No big. 🙂
You got it…no big! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
These fritters look delicious! Love the pumpkin flavour – these are so perfect for autumn! Loving the vanilla cream too!
Thank you so much, dear! 🙂
I just had my lunch and I am feeling hungry again looking at your pictures!! Love the vanilla cream on top, so good!
We always need a little sweet after every meal, don’t we? Thanks, dear!
These make me so happy :). They are so perfectly fall-y! Yum yum yummmmm. Pinned!
Awhhhh! Now I’m so happy! Thanks, girlfriend! 🙂
Oh Annie, these pumpkin fritters sound like the dream fall treat! I love the freshly grated nutmeg in here and the vanilla cream topping makes these so irresistible!
They are such a treat..so nice with a cup of coffee or spot of tea… Thanks, my friend! 🙂
I adore fritters! This pumpkin nutmeg version sounds fantastic!
Thank you so much, Jen! 🙂
Annie, oh I love these!!!! Fritters and apple cider donuts are my fave joys of fall!!! these look delicious!
Mmmmm – you and me both! Absolute faves!! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
We had a chill a couple weeks ago and I think it is supposed to get cold again later in the week 🙁 These fritters are definitely perfect for this time of the year! Pinned!
Yeppp, it’s upon us! The fritters help – I promise! 🙂
These little fritters sound wonderful. I always enjoy fried treats, and these sound perfect for fall, and your photographs are so enticing. Brava! Un abraccio!
Every once in a while only a fried treat will do and these little sweeties definitely hit the spot. Grazie! Un abraccio!
I really hate that cold snap in the morning. It just smacks you in the face, and when it gets to be actual winter, it stings. Why why why?
But fritters are a good solution. I really want to be in fritterland right now! Yours look so divine.
Why why why? All the cold cold cold?! Yes, I’m channeling my inner Dr. Seuss – and if my kids are reading, they’re thinking – really ma? (But will not be surprised in the slightest that I took it a step too far…) Ahhhh – yes – fritterland. That’s a place I need to vacation to more often! Thanks, friend! 🙂
It has been cold here too, and my FL native self is FREEZING and craving all sorts of fall treats! Fritter totally fall into that category for me as well (pun intended), and these babies look PERFECT! LOVE the pumpkin and nutmeg combination! And that vanilla flavored cream as the dip? OMG, YEEEESSSS! Pinned! Cheers, my dear! xo
Ha! Of course pun intended – I expect nothing less from you! These little babies are a nice lightly sweet treat on a chilly fall day, for sure! Thanks, friend! xo
Jeeze Annie! I think I had these fritters in a dream or something, because I can taste them… YES!! Creamy, melt in my mouth! Really? Then, here they are!! And that vanilla cream? Whaaaaa? I’m glad that cool air kiss inspired this. WOW! Love it my dear!
Hahaha! Oh yes, these are pretty irresistible! Just a little bite of pumpkin heaven! Thank you, my dear… I hope your dream didn’t satiate your craving! xo
I soooo need these pumpkin fritters in my life right now. Lucky for me it’s a bank holiday and I have all of these ingredients in my kitchen! It’s happening!
Yessss! Happy day! I’d love to know what you think! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
OH WOW! I love Pumpkin fritters. These look absolutely stunning and absolutely delish.
PS: Pumpkin fritters was my today’s post, but I postponed it for Wednesday.
Why thank you, friend! Can never get enough fritters…which means I’m already looking forward to yours on Wednesday! 🙂
Fritters definitely make the perfect comfort food. These pumpkin ones sound delicious, Annie! I love the vanilla cream that tops these. What a perfect fall treat!
These are dangerously good and made moreso since they’re mini! Too easy to eat! Thanks, friend!