German Pancakes and Funnel Cakes

[dnalexander]

German Pancakes


3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk, warmed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
Confectioners' sugar

Serving suggestion: Maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, sugar, milk, vanilla, and butter. Whisk in the flour to make a smooth batter. Set aside.
Heat a well-seasoned 10-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and brush the inside with the shortening. Pour in the batter and bake for 15 minutes.
Lower the oven to 350 degrees F. and continue baking until puffed and golden brown, about 13 to 15 minutes more. Run a knife around the edge of the skillet. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the pancake. I also will top the pancake with a little butter and a squeeze of lemon in addition to the powdered sugar. I feel my arteries slamming shut as I write this. What does a radiating electric sensation in my left arm mean?




Funnel Cakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 cups milk
1 egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 stick butter, melted
4 cups vegetable oil
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Gradually whisk in the milk, then the egg and vanilla, and finally the sugar and melted butter.
Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over high heat to 350 degrees F. Pour as much batter as fits into a funnel, holding your finger at the base of the funnel to dam it. Bring the funnel over the top of the hot oil, release your finger to begin the stream of batter, and move the funnel in a circular motion to create a spiral shape. Use about 1/2 cup batter per funnel cake, or more or less to your liking. Fry 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffed, turning over when 1 side is golden.
Remove from oil and place on a plate lined with 2 layers of paper towels. Immediately top with a good scattering of powdered sugar. Repeat until no batter remains

[Teresa]

Since I can't have the sweet...I use this funnel cake recipe w/o the sugar and vanilla for my funnel cakes..
They are gooooood.