Apple Fritter Rings, with Caramel Apple variation

These turned out SO delicious! Seriously, my 13 year old ate these,  and he HATES apples. Whoa folks, shit just got real!

You will need:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3/4 tsp (plus 1 tsp separate)ground cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cups buttermilk or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tsp veg oil, plus 1 1/2 to 2 cups for frying
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 apples, cored, peeled, cut into 1/2 inch-thick rings

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of sugar and cinnamon.
2.  In a large bowl, whisk milk, 4 tsp of oil, vanilla, 1 tsp of cinnamon and eggs. Stir in flour, 2 Tbsp of the brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large, heavy, high-sided skillet, heat the 2 cups of oil til it reaches 375º with a candy thermometer. (In all honesty, I never use one. I flick a drop of water into the oil and if it starts splattering, we're golden. Of course I won't mention how after doing so I jump back quick as hell and duck for cover. Oh, wait, I just did. Shit! Lets just keep that between you and me. Our little secret, ok?).  
4. In batches of 3 or 4 at a time, coat the apple rings in batter and fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes for each batch, flipping halfway through.
5. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain. 
6. Toss apples in cinnamon sugar and serve immediately.
7. If doing the Caramel Apple variation, heat up some Caramel ice cream topping and drizzle over the finished rings when ready to eat.