Pennsylvania Dutch Funnel Cakes Recipe 435

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.

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:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and cocoa. Blend in 1/2 cup milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour into unbaked pastry shells, tipping to coat the pastry halfway up the sides; set aside. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar. Add egg, shortening, vanilla and remaining milk; beat until smooth. Starting at the edge, spoon batter into the pastry shells, completely covering the chocolate. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm or chilled with whipped cream if desired.