County Fair Funnel Cakes

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Oil for deep-fat frying
Confectioners' sugar


In a bowl, combine the eggs, milk and brown sugar. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture until smooth.  In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees F.  Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with your finger; ladle 1/2 cup batter into funnel. Holding the funnel several inches above the skillet, release finger and move the funnel in a spiral motion until all of the batter is released (scraping funnel with a rubber spatula if needed).  Fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter. Dust with confectioners' sugar; serve warm.

Please Note: The batter can also be poured from a liquid measuring cup instead of a funnel.

County Fair Pie

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup semisweet choc. chips
1 unbaked pie shell

In mixing bowl combine first five ingredients until well blended. Stir in nuts and chips.  Pour into pie shell.  Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown; cool.

Please Note: This recipe did not come with a baking temperature, I would assume it would be 350 degrees F, but I do not know for sure.

County Fair Elephant Ears

1 1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
2 packets dry yeast
2 tbsp. sugar
6 tbsp. shortening
4 c. flour
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar, sifted
Cinnamon/sugar mix

Heat but do not boil milk, sugar, salt and shortening until shortening is melted. Cool to lukewarm. Add yeast and stir until dissolved. Stir in flour 2 cups at a time, beating until smooth after reach addition.  Put into greased bowl. Cover with damp cloth, let rise until double. Dust hands with flour. Pinch off pieces of dough size of golf ball. Stretch into 6-8 inch circle. Drop into hot oil in pan large enough to fry 6-8 pieces. Fry until pieces rise, turn with tongs and fry until light brown. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with desired topping.

County Fair Corn Dogs

10 beef frankfurters
1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dusting
2/3 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons corn flour (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
1 egg
2 tablespoons corn oil
1/2 cup water
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Insert skewers into frankfurters and dust with flour; set aside.

To Make Batter: In a large bowl combine the cornmeal, 1/3 cup flour, corn flour, salt, cayenne pepper, egg, 2 tablespoons oil and water. Whisk all together.

Heat 1 quart oil in a large skillet over high heat (to about 375 degrees F, 190 degrees C). Roll or dip franks in batter, then fry until lightly browned. Drain on paper toweling and serve.

State Fair Butter Cookies

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter

Mix flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and ground nutmeg.   In a separate bowl, cream butter, adding the sugar gradually.  Add three well beaten eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in dry ingredients.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator. Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes.  Frost and decorate, as desired.