Funnel cakes!! Revised

I LOVE summer! Sometimes it might get a little too hot and, yes, the typical summer water restriction can be a pain (not this year--we've been getting a ton of rain, for once), but it's all worth the sacrifice to enjoy making memories and having a great time on a nice, sunny day. One thing I love about summer, besides cookouts and having more free time to cook for friends and family, is funnel cakes! A few years ago, I found a recipe and tried my hand at making them. They're incredibly easy and inexpensive and make for a great get-together treat. Kids and adults alike fall in love with them.

I used to use a recipe (http://www.recipezaar.com/YUM-YUM-Funnel-Cakes-27914) and it was really good, but I felt like it was just a bit short on flavor, so I've made a few small, but very important changes. The key to getting the great taste in the recipe is the brown sugar and the vanilla. Most recipes use white sugar, but you'll be amazed at how great the flavor difference is with brown sugar.  I have tweaked the amount of brown sugar in the original recipe in addition to adding in some vanilla extract, among other things.  This recipe make a nice thick and fluffy funnel cake.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs
1-1/2 c milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 -1/4 all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1- 1/2 tsp baking powder

Hint: this recipe is also great with a dash of cinnamon, but it's definitely amazing without it, too)

vegetable or canola oil for frying

funnel

toppings (sliced strawberries or any other berries with a little sugar - let sit a few minutes to produce juice)

powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar) for dusting

Preparation

Heat oil in a deep fryer or an electric skillet to 375 (have it ready just as you finish batter, don't let it sit hot or it'll burn). Mix flour, salt, and baking powder thoroughly in a bowl and set aside. Beat eggs lightly in a large bowl. Mix in milk, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly beat in flour mixture until batter is smooth. It should not be too soupy. You want it to be a little thick.

Special equipment:

deep fryer or electric skillet

sifter

tongs

Funnel in about 1/2 cup batter and use your finger to stop the bottom of the funnel as you pour. Once you have poured in batter, scribble batter and make a swirl design to make shape of funnel cake. Let fry until golden brown and turn and let fry until golden brown on other side. Grab with tongs and hold over oil to let excess oil drip into fryer. Place onto plate lined with napkin to drain excess oil. Transfer to clean plate and sift powdered sugar over cakes, then top with desired fruit toppings. You can also mix powdered sugar with cinnamon before sifting and eat with or without fruit.

You will LOVE this recipe! Tell me what you think once you try it. It tastes and smells just like the county fair and you will love the smell almost as much as the flavor. ENJOY!

*Source of photo - http://img9.foodservicewarehouse.com/IC/375/96/Funnel_Cake-796.jpg