Is The Fair In Town???

Nope, it's just that these awesome funnel cakes I'm eating make me think of the fair and all the good and greasy food we all love so much.  But these funnel cakes come with a twist.

The secret ingredient is...Root Beer! Which I think brings an extra something to an already delicious cake.  When you think of the fair, the first thing that comes to mind is the food.  The only problem with the fair food is that it's so overly priced.  I can't justify paying $7 or $8 for a fried cake, so I did some research and found the perfect solution.  Make it yourself.  Easy as that.  So that's what I did and I have to say I think I'd give the fair a run for it's money.  Seriously!  And these can be made anytime you crave them, not just once every year.  And there are no lines!

*But I didn't say mine were prettier than the fairs because it's actually not that easy to get that funnel look. 

Root Beer Funnel Cakes:

adapted from Sweetapolita

Funnel Cake:

Vegetable Oil, for frying

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tbsp sugar
1 large egg
1 c root beer

Root Beer Glaze:

1/2 c confectioners sugar, plus more for dusting

1/4 tsp root beer extract

1 tbsp milk

Fresh Fruit, for garnish

In a deep skillet, pour in the vegetable oil until it reachs 1 inch deep.  Heat to 375 F.  Meanwhile, mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl whisk together the egg and root beer.  Pour the wet ingredients in the the dry mixture and whisk until smooth.  When the oil has reached the correct temperature (check by using a candy thermometer) get a pastry bag with a 1/2" piping tip ready.  Place mixture into the pastry bag and in a circular motion starting from a center point, let the batter create either a tight or freeform spiral in the hot oil.  Fry until the funnel cake is light brown on one side, then carefully flip with a skimmer and fry on the other side until golden brown.  This process is very fast so be prepared to flip immediately or funnel cake will burn.  Remove cake from the fryer and let drain on paper towels. Let the oil come back to the correct temp and repeat the process with the remaining batter.

Note: one cake at a time or you'll have a big mess on your hands. 

Now for the glaze:  Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.  Drizzle over top of each funnel cake, then dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with your choice of fresh fruit.