$5 for a Funnel Cake....Are you kidding me???

Last week-end Jude went to the Italian festival with the neighbors for dessert. When they got back, Patty (the neighbor) told me about all the stuff they ate. She said they bought a funnel cake. I LOVE funnel cakes. Yummmmmm. What isn't to love about fried dough and powdered sugar. She said they cost $5!!! I can't believe it. I told her when I was a kid my mom would make funnel cakes on occasion. It started me thinking that I could make them myself...if I only had a recipe. A couple of nights later, Jude was asking what we were going to have for snack. I decided it would be a good day to try my hand at funnel cake making. I quickly found a recipe on-line and whipped up a fabulous batch. I, however, don't have a funnel (who doesn't own a funnel???) so I had to compromise a little and used a gravy thingy to just pour the batter into the hot oil. The results were absolutely delish!!! The recipe makes a lot of funnel cakes so I sent a few over to the neighbors who were excited to have free funnel cakes. I ate two whole ones. Yes....I am only admitting that because I am pregnant AND to warn anyone else - it isn't a good idea. I didn't sleep at all that night. My stomach was so upset. I was sooooo full.

Two days later, Jude asked me if I was going to pottery class that evening. I told him I was. He sounded disappointed. I thought it was sweet...he was going to miss his mommy. I said, "Why? Are you going to miss me?" He said, "No, I wanted you to make funnel cakes again." Isn't that something? Anyhoo....here is the recipe. I think I made 7 funnel cakes and total it cost me less than $5.

YUMMY Funnel Cakes

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix salt, baking powder, and half of the flour. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream eggs, sugar and milk. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Continue to add remaining flour, but use only enough to achieve desired consistency. Batter will be thin enough to run through a funnel.
3. In an eight inch skillet, heat the oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Put your finger over the bottom opening of the funnel, and fill the funnel with a generous 1/2 cup of the batter. Hold the funnel close to the surface of the oil, and release the batter into the oil while making a circular motion. Fry until golden brown. Use tongs and wide spatula to turn the cake over carefully. Fry the second side one minute. Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with sifted confectioners' sugar or cinnamon sugar.