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1
Combine the butter, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, apple juice and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan.
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2
Bring to a boil over medium heat.
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3
Off the heat, stir in the flour; then return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture forms a ball, about 2 minutes.
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4
Transfer the cooked flour mixture to a medium bowl.
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5
Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next.
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6
Beat until smooth.
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7
If not frying immediately, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
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8
Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches.
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9
Heat over medium heat until the oil registers 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
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10
Using a small ice cream scoop or two small spoons, scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and push two of the frozen candies into its center.
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11
Smooth the dough over the candies to fully encase them.
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12
Carefully drop the filled dough into the hot oil.
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13
Fry in batches, turning the zeppole once or twice, until they are golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes.
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14
Drain on paper towels.
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15
Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl.
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16
Toss the fried zeppole in the cinnamon-sugar.
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17
Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.
