Funnel Cakes - Pancake Style!

This creation was the aftermath of our end of year Volleyball party at my house.



I was the assistant (and I say that very liberally) coach this year to my oldest daughter's Volleyball team. I had a blast and I am sure I learned more then any girl out there! I used to love volleyball in high school (I'm 6 foot tall - I think it is mandated somewhere that every female over 5'10 has to at least ACT like they like it). The sport has changed so much. If your a freshmen in high school and play volleyball, you have to be able to take out small planes with the force of your overhand serve. It was not like that when I was growing up. Thank goodness my daughter is only 10 - and they just want the girls serves to go over the net. The overhand serves come next year - and I for one need to practice before Logan gets there!



I hosted the end of the year party at my home and I knew exactly what we would do. I would call Dominoes for the pizza and get out my two deep fat fryers for a funnel cake bonanza!



My parents always had donut parties when I was growing up - I can't quite get the hang of making the donuts - but I have found I make a mean funnel cake - Thanks in large part to Emeril Laggassi's Funnel Cake Recipe. I make the batter before the guests arrive and put it in these condiment containers I found at Walmart. I cut the tops off and they make perfect funnel cake "pourers"!

Emeril's Funnel Cakes
3 large eggs
2 1/4 cups milk (I add about 1/4 cup more milk to mine)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups flour
1 cup light brown sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oil to 375 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and vanilla. Whisk well. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Stir until smooth. Hold your finger over the funnel opening. Place your hand over the oil (not too close) and carefully remove your finger. Scribble and crisscross the filling into the hot oil. Fry until golden on both sides. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Dust with the powdered sugar. Repeat till all the batter is used.

I had about 50 people to my home that night and made 4 batches of batter. I ended up with one batch remaining at the end of the night. (The picture above shows the 4 bottles I had in my fridge the morning after). Rather then throwing it away - I decided to try making pancakes with the batter. It was delicious and fun and my girls felt like the party hadn't ended, and that is always a good thing. These pancakes were sweet, yummy goodness, that they had fun dipping!