​FUNNEL CAKE
 
SERVING:  4 - 6 CAKES                                                                                   PREP TIME: 5 MIN
COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES
 
Ingredients:
 
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 packet of vanilla powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Oil for deep frying
Confectioners' sugar
 
Directions:
 

1. In a bowl the beat eggs. Add milk and water and continue to mix until well blended.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, vanilla, sugar, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture until smooth.
3. Add about 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet to medium high heat.
4. Cover the bottom of a funnel spout or piping bag with your finger and ladle batter in. 
5. Bring the funnel/bag over the hot oil and release your finger to start a stream of batter while moving the funnel in a circular motion to create spiral-like shapes. 
6. Fry for 1-2 min on each side or until golden brown and slightly puffed.

 
Buon Appetito!

​SERVING:  8 - 10                                                                                  PREP TIME: 10 MIN
COOK TIME: 50 MINUTES
 
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups apples, peeled and chopped (approx. 2-3 small apples)
250g mascarpone
2 cups 00 flour
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
16g packet baking powder for sweets
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt
 
 
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Peel and core the apples and chop into cubes. Set aside.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Set aside.
4. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until smooth and frothy. Then whisk in the mascarpone and vanilla extract until combined.
5. Incorporate the dry ingredients, a little at a time, and continue to mix until smooth.
6. Fold in the chopped apples.
7. Grease a 9” round pan or bundt pan.
8. Pour the mixture into the pan and level it with a spoon as it will be a thick consistency.
9. Bake for 50 minutes.
10. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

 
Buon Appetito!

SERVING: 2 LARGE RINGS OR 3 LOAVES                                                       PREP TIME: 3 HOURS
COOK TIME: 20 - 25 MINUTES
 
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup milk – slightly warm
1 ½ tbsp instant dry yeast
1 1/3 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
½ cup canola oil
2 tbsp Anice liqueur
1 large orange zested and juiced
7 – 7 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 egg yolk whisked with 2 tbsp milk, for brushing
 
Directions:

1. In a bowl add the milk, sugar, eggs, oil, Anice and orange juice and zest. Wisk together until combined.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix together with a fork.
3. Knead the dough with your hands or in a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Combine the dough until it comes together with the mixer or if mixing by hand, turn the dough out onto a work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add up to an additional ½ cup of flour, if required.  
4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll into a log. Divide the dough into two or three sections depending on the size of the breads you want to make. This dough makes two large rings or three loaves. Cut each section into three equal pieces and roll out each section into a thin rope. Pinch the ends of the three pieces together and loosely braid into a long loaf or into a ring. Tuck in the end pieces and pinch to close. Repeat with the braiding process with the remaining sections.  Place the loaf/ring on a lined baking tray and pinch the ends to close. Place each bread at least 2-inches apart on the tray.
6. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and a large kitchen towel and let the breads rise for an additional 60 minutes, until almost doubled in size.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 F and brush the breads with the egg wash.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a rich golden brown.

 
Buon Appetito!