Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1/2 cup
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch thick rings
• Vegetable oil, for deep frying
• Caramel Drizzle, recipe follows
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups apple juice
• 1 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise

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Instructions

1. Special equipment: a deep fryer
2. Heat the oil in the deep fryer to 360 degrees F.
3. In a medium bowl combine the 2 1/2 cups flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together the buttermilk, water, eggs, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to form a lumpy batter. Dredge the apple rings into the remaining flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the apples in batter and fry until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Serve with Caramel Drizzle.
4. In a medium pot combine the water and sugar. Over high heat bring to a boil and cook until the syrup becomes amber, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the apple juice slowly, being careful of the steam released. Add the cinnamon and star anise.
5. Return to high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until reduced to 1 cup of liquid, about 20 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick and star anise and cool.
6. Store for up to 1 month in the refrigerator.