I created this recipe based on my childhood memory of Apple Pancakes, my Godmother used to make, and she called them "Ratsushki". They are pan fried Apple Fritters (pancakes), using regular all purpose flour, rather then premixed pancake mix. I prefer these over the pancakes from a mix, since they do not absorb as much of the pancake syrup. I also love the taste of the fresh cooked apples (or any fruit) intertwined throughout the pancakes. Very easy to make, and delicious to have any ti

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tbs unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or less, as per your taste)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 2 medium apples
• Vegetable oil for frying (I use canola oil)

• Sift the flour with salt, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar.
• Beat the egg with milk in mixer, on medium speed.
• Gradually add the flour mixture to incorporate.
• Mix in melted butter.
• Peel, core, and dice, the apples.
• Add cinnamon to apples (optional).
• Fold apples into the batter.
• Heat 2 Tbs vegetable oil on medium heat (see TIP).
• drop about 2 heaping spoonfuls of pancake batter onto hot oil, spacing them about 1 inch apart, so they don’t stick together during cooking (mine were too close together, and ran over).
• Fry a minute or so, until you see air bubbles forming on top of pancakes, then breaking up leaving small craters, and the edges are getting lightly browned.
• Flip them  over to the other side (away from you, using a spatula), and fry a minute longer.
• Remove from the pan onto paper towel, to soak up any extra oil.
• Serve hot with your choice of syrup, jam, or other fresh fruit and whipped cream.

• These also freeze very well, and are great thawed and heated up on the pan, or in a toaster oven.
• TIP: To test your oil for readiness, once you see the oil begins to move round slightly, drop a small drop