State Fair Funnel Cake

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Before you cook

• Beat the eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a second bowl.
• Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth and pours in a steady ribbon.
• Set a wire rack over a baking sheet beside the stove.
• Fill a measuring cup with a spout, a funnel with a half-inch opening, or a squeeze bottle with the batter.

Steps

1. Pour the oil into a wide heavy pot to a depth of about one and a half inches and heat it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Hold your finger over the funnel opening, fill it with about 2/3 cup of batter, and position it two inches above the oil.
3. Release your finger and drizzle the batter into the oil in a spiral from the center outward, then crisscross back over the spiral to lock the strands together.
4. Fry for about 90 seconds, until the underside is golden and the edges are set.
5. Slide two spatulas under the cake and flip it in one piece.
6. Fry the second side for another 60 to 90 seconds, until crisp and evenly brown.
7. Lift the funnel cake onto the rack to drain for 30 seconds.
8. Sift powdered sugar heavily over the hot cake and serve it immediately, then repeat with the remaining batter.