My Favorite Fair Food - Candied Apples and Funnel Cakes

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

22 Oct 2006 02:02 PM

We just went to the county fair and there are two things (other than the rides and games) that make a fair - the candied apples and funnel cakes. The fair is just not the fair unless you have these two!

Candied Apples

For this recipe, you will need 8 to 10 medium apples, 2 cups of granulated sugar, light corn syrup, red food coloring, cinnamon oil, and wooden skewers.

Wash and dry the apples. Insert the wooden skewer into the stem end of each apple. Grease a baking sheet then set it aside for later.

In a 2-quart saucepan, mix 2 cups of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of light corn syrup, and 3/4 cup of water. Place it over high heat until it starts boiling, then reduce the heat slightly. Let it boil at about 290 degrees. If you don't have a candy thermometer, test it by dropping a small amount of the mixture into water. Once it separates into threads that are hard, but not brittle, the mixture is ready. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of red food coloring and a few drops of cinnamon oil. Dip the apples in the syrup and twirl until the whole thing is coated. Place it on the baking sheet to cool before eating.

Funnel Cakes

For this recipe, you will need vegetable oil, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and a large funnel.

Preheat vegetable oil in a deep fat fryer to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. In a larger bowl, whisk three eggs, 2 1/4 cups of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. In another bowl, combine 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of light brown sugar (packed), 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Combine the flour mixture and egg mixture until the batter is smooth.

Hold your finger of the opening of the funnel and pour 3/4 cup of the batter into it. Place the funnel over the oil and carefully remove your finger. Make criss-crossed patterns in the oil to form the cake. Let it fry until golden brown on both sides then place on a paper towel to drain. Repeat until all cakes are fried. It should make about eight funnel cakes. Dust each cake with the powdered sugar mixture.

See Michele's blog about Fried Coke for more fair food info!

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (60106) 22 Oct 2006 05:48 PM

Everybody loves state fair food. Mmmmm!

We always joke that 'we eat our way around the fairgrounds.'

Thank you for the recipes, Libby.

beannie842002 (1396) 24 Oct 2006 11:31 AM

I am really glad that you posted the recipe for funnel cakes i really love them and wanted to know how to make them and now i know thanks.

Libby Pelham (12880) 24 Oct 2006 04:50 PM

You're welcome Beannie842002!