Prepare the Dough: Start by preparing the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. This combination of ingredients will give your fritters the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and structure. The cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth, while the baking powder helps the dough rise when fried, ensuring the fritters have that signature puffed texture.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract together. Be sure to melt the butter before adding it to the mixture, as this ensures it blends smoothly into the batter. Whisking these wet ingredients until smooth is crucial, as it ensures the batter has a consistent texture throughout. The milk adds moisture, while the egg helps bind everything together, and the vanilla brings a lovely depth of flavor.
Mix Batter: Now, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. Overmixing can result in dense fritters rather than light and airy ones. The batter should have a slightly lumpy texture, with no dry pockets of flour visible. Once the batter is mixed, gently fold in the diced peaches, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The peaches add natural sweetness and moisture to the fritters, so try not to crush them too much during this step.
