RECIPE FOR FUNNEL CAKE FOR CARNIVAL RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, water and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture until smooth. In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat oil to 375°., For each cake: Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with your finger; ladle 1/2 cup batter into the funnel. Holding the funnel several inches above the oil, release your finger and move the funnel in a spiral motion until all the batter is released, scraping with a rubber spatula if needed., Fry until golden brown, 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar; serve warm.

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.