FROSTED: It's Not Fair...Without the Sweets!!

While sharing with you last week all of the wonderful foods that can be enjoyed on a stick, it made me wish that I had gone to my local county fair this summer. I miss the sweet freshly shaken lemonade, the cool chocolate and vanilla swirl soft serve ice cream, and the shoestring french fries drenched in vinegar.

But even though I've missed all of the delicious, deep fried fair food this season, I figured why not try to make a few of my carnival cravings in my own home and share them with family and friends? These recipes would be a perfect addition to any child's circus birthday party, or a great dessert to bring to any school or church carnival. So step right up and try two of my favorite fair food recipes...

Mini Funnel Cakes
(Recipe by Taylor Takes A Taste)

(Via Dine & Dish)

Ingredients:

(Makes about 15-20 4-inch in diameter cakes) 

Dry Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup of milk
•  1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 egg

Other Ingredients

• Oil

Directions:

1.  Sift the dry ingredients into a large container that you can easily pour from (like a plastic pitcher). In a separate bowl, beat the egg with the rest of the wet ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into the dry and stir until a thick batter forms. Using a funnel, pour batter into a squeeze bottle. The batter is thick so be patient for it to flow into the bottle. You may also pour the batter directly from the pitcher into the squeeze bottle.

2.  In a large pan, pour in your favorite frying oil (I use peanut oil) until it is about 1/2 inch deep, and heat to 350 degrees. Place four inch metal rings into pan. You can use the round top of mason jars or cookie cutters for this. Depending on the size of the pan, you can fit 1-4 rings. Squeeze batter into rings and cook until ring is solid. This will take approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.

3.  Using tongs, remove metal ring and let cakes float. Flip and cook the other side for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until a nice light golden brown. These cook very quickly, so be careful not to burn. Try experimenting with your first few to find a cooking  time that works best for your oil and pan set up.

4.  Once golden brown, remove from pan and place onto brown paper bags to let the excess oil drain. Immediately top with powdered sugar. Best if eaten when still warm right after frying.

 (Image by Dine & Dish)

Deep Fried Oreos

(Courtesy of Domesticated Diva)

Ingredients:
(You can either use the ingredients from the mini funnel cake batter recipe above or you can use this one below.)

• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup of milk
• 1 1/4 cup of flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups of vegetable oil
• powdered sugar
• 1 package of oreos (I prefer the double stuffed)

Directions:

1.  Heat 2 cups of oil over medium-high heat in a deep skillet. Test the temperature by dropping a pinch of flour into the hot oil. If it sizzles right away without smoking, the oil is perfect.

2.  Beat egg and milk. In a separate bowl, mix all the other ingredients (but the oreos) and slowly add to the egg mixture, beating until smooth.

3.  Dip the oreos into the batter until they are fully coated. Using tongs, place them into the skillet in 1/2 inch of  preheated oil. Fry until golden brown on each side.

4.  Once golden brown, remove from skillet and place onto brown paper bags to let the oil drain. Immediately top with powdered sugar. Best if eaten when still warm.

 Who needs to go to the fair when you can make your favorite yummy treats without leaving your house? 

But the best part is that these recipes can be served with a variety of different toppings to delight and satisfy anyone's tastes. Try drizzling with chocolate syrup, covering with a heaping scoop of your favorite ice cream, serving with a dollop of whipped cream, or spreading on your favorite fruit preserve. 

Experiment with all of the possibilities...and enjoy the luxury of all those delicious fair foods you've been craving without having to wait in line. Have a wonderful weekend!