Sugar Bean Bakers: { Festivals, Funnel Cakes, and Deep Fried Twinkies }

Monday, October 22, 2012

{ Festivals, Funnel Cakes, and Deep Fried Twinkies }

This post is brought to you in 3 parts.

1. Ren Fest

2. Funnel Cakes

3. Deep Fried Twinkies

Shall we go forward?

PART 1

Every year for the last several, the Bean and I have gone to the Renaissance Festival. We love the swashbuckling action, the humor, the costumes, the (sometimes convincing) British accents. The feel of the Festival is just so much fun.

We traveled there yesterday, barely fitting it in this year, as it was the very last day of the event (it runs for 8 weekends Sept-Oct). However, we did make it, and that's what counts.

The Bean, being a thespian, never misses the chance to dress in costume. So, we went. I, in my Hunger Games T-Shirt, and he, as The Dread Pirate Roberts (from our favorite movie!). He's worn the costume before, and people have thought he was Zorro. It was fun being around geeks who knew exactly who he was. "The Dread Pirate Roberts!" they'd yell. "Inconceivable!" he'd yell back.

GOOD.TIMES.

His girlfriend even walked around with him like that. All day. Willingly.

I've only ever been to Ohio's Ren Fest, of course, but it is a sprawling spread of buildings, games, stages, etc.

There is one thing that always happens at the Ren Fest.

We eat...

PART 2

This year, I decided we should make our own instead.

When I was a teenager, our church used to sell them at a local festival. So, making funnel cakes is not a new experience. It HAD been a 'few' years though.

Please note, this recipe is NOT for small children & everyone should exercise extreme caution with the hot oil.

Funnel Cake Batter

1 Cup Flour

1 Egg

3/4 Cup Milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons sugar*

dash of cinnamon (optional)

*you can use 1 Tablespoon of sugar or no sugar, but I like my cakes a little sweeter.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and cinnamon.

Then, in a small bowl, beat together the milk and egg. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry.

Beat in the vanilla. Whisk until well combined. This very much resembles a pancake batter.

In a deep skillet, heat at least 1" of oil to approx. 375 degrees F. I simply use the sizzle test. Drop a bit of batter in, and if it sizzles and rises to the top, it's ready.

Place your finger over the spout of a funnel, and fill it. Over the oil, remove your finger and quickly make circles to form your cake. They need to be tight and together. You can criss cross as well. It does not need to be perfectly circular.

Allow to fry for about 1 minute. Flip and allow that side to fry. Remove to a paper towel covered plate to absorb the oil.

Then, place on a plate, top with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, apple pie filling, strawberries, whipped topping, chocolate, etc, etc, etc!!

I like mine with powered sugar & cinnamon sugar. Yum.

But... do you know what you can do with Funnel Cake batter?

You can dip things, and fry them. Yeah, you can!

PART 3
So, I fried a Twinkie. I've seen these sold at Festivals and Fairs as well. For a crazy price, I might add. All you need to do is make up the Funnel Cake batter & dip away.

Fry, according to the Funnel Cake directions

Remove to paper towel, place on plate, dust with powdered sugar....And... enjoy!

I, actually, was not sold on these. I've heard GREAT things about them, so I was excited to try.

The Bean, however, LOVED them, as did my Sister In Law. She'd had one at a local festival and was not impressed. She said these were delicious though and forgave my niece for telling her last minute that she had to drive her to my house (which is about 25 minutes away from theirs)!

In that case, they must have been good!

I think they would be really amazing with some toppings on them though.

I also, possibly, fried some Oreos.

You weren't here though. You cannot prove it.

Tina