Dutch Funnel Cake For A Group Recipes

Steps:

• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Gradually whisk in the milk, then the egg and vanilla, and finally the sugar and melted butter.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over high heat to 350 degrees F. Pour as much batter as fits into a funnel, holding your finger at the base of the funnel to dam it. Bring the funnel over the top of the hot oil, release your finger to begin the stream of batter, and move the funnel in a circular motion to create a spiral shape. Use about 1/2 cup batter per funnel cake, or more or less to your liking. Fry 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffed, turning over when 1 side is golden.
• Remove from oil and place on a plate lined with 2 layers of paper towels. Immediately top with a good scattering of powdered sugar. Repeat until no batter remains.

Steps:

• For the funnel cakes: Add enough oil to a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to come 2 inches up the sides of the pot. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it registers 360 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a baking sheet with a metal cooling rack or a few layers of paper towels.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the milk, vanilla and eggs in a large measuring cup.
• Sift together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl using a mesh strainer (to break up any lumps in the brown sugar). Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture just until smooth and combined.
• When the oil is up to temperature, use your finger to cover the hole in the bottom of a 1- to 2-cup funnel (with at least a 1/2-inch hole) and fill it to the top with about 3/4 cup of the batter. Position the funnel over the pot of hot oil and remove your finger to release the batter. Let the batter flow into the oil in thick squiggles, moving the funnel within a contained circular shape about 8 inches in diameter. Fry on the first side until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, then use a spider or tongs to carefully flip to the second side and fry for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove to the wire rack or paper towels and let drain and cool slightly. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• For topping: Dust the funnel cakes generously with the confectioners' sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon and dollop with whipped cream before serving warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oil in a cast iron skillet on medium high heat (for an electric frying pan preheat to 375 degrees). Leave room between the oil and the top of the pan to allow room for batter to be added. Beat eggs, add milk and sugar. Beat well. In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt and baking powder. Add to egg and milk mixture. Beat until batter is smooth. Batter should be thin enough to flow through the opening of your funnel. If needed, add a little more milk. Put your finger over the bottom of the funnel and pour batter in top. Drizzle batter in hot oil making criss crosses and swirls. (I use a measuring cup with a thin spout to do this, easier for those of us less coordinated!). Let brown on bottom and then carefully flip it over with tongs to brown on the other side. Place on a paper towel to drain for a minute or so and then serve warm with molasses, jelly or sprinkle with powdered sugar.