Cirque ‘SC-inspired treats that put the fun in funnel cake

With the recent cooler weather and gloomy, overcast days, our campus has been lacking in brightness and summer warmth. A way to cheer up and reminisce summer is to bring back the celebration of summer festivities.

Today, the USC Performing Arts Committee and USG brought to us a visual spectacle with live performances and servings of favorite carnival foods at Cirque ’SC. Hopefully you stopped by to pick up some free popcorn and other treats. In the meantime, whip up the following carnival goodies from the comfort of your own kitchen!

1. Funnel Cakes.

Funnel cakes have always been a must-have for my family and I when we’d visit carnivals back home as kids. The crispy shell and light and fluffy inner dough topped with powdered sugar or fruit is the perfect sugar rush to indulge in. Making funnel cakes at home is much easier than I had imagined and only requires a few simple ingredients.

For make-at-home funnel cakes you will need:

• Pancake Mix
• Water
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar (optional but highly recommended)

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan. I used a pot and filled it with about a half inch of oil and set the stove temperature to a medium high heat.
2. Make pancake mix according to the box. I only used ½ cup of my pancake mix and ⅓ cup of water, and got a few small funnel cakes out of it. Pour batter into dispenser bottles with small openings or use a ziploc bag and cut a small corner off.
3. Once oil is heated, carefully bring your dispenser or bag close to the surface of the oil and dispense a small portion in a circular motion. The batter spreads quickly, and it might be difficult to get a good “funnel” cake shape on your first few tries; I found it easier to make smaller, little shapes.
4. Flip the shape after about 10 seconds, depending on how quickly it fries.
5. Fry for another few seconds until golden brown and a crispy outer layer has formed.
6. Remove with forks or tongs and place on a plate lined with paper towels to allow the excess oil to absorb.
7. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to pull off an authentic, classic funnel cake taste.

2. Salty Pretzels. 

One of the most satisfying carnival tastes is a big bite of soft, salty pretzel, especially when dunked in cheese. To indulge in this delicious treat, roll out your own dough at home!

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 ½ cups lukewarm water
• 1 packet  (2 ¼ teaspoons) active yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 – 4 ½  cups all-purpose flour (and more for the counter surface)
• 2 large eggs
• Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

1. First, preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dissolve the yeast in the water and mix for about a minute. Add salt and sugar.
2. Gradually add flour one cup at a time mixing with a wooden spoon. Add flour until dough is no longer sticky and bounces back when pressed in. On a floured surface, knead dough for about five minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut your ball of dough into eight equal pieces. Roll out the dough in even diameters.
3. Once your rope of dough is long enough, try to form the shape of the pretzel by bringing both ends in to form a circle. Then gently twist the ends and press them into the dough.
4. Beat your two eggs and fully submerge each pretzel into the egg wash and then place on your baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt.
5. Bake for 10 minutes and then switch your oven to broil for just another few minutes, but be careful to not burn the pretzels.

And there you have it — a soft, homemade pretzel that’s going to look and taste great!

3. Candied nuts.

Another carnival favorite to try! If you have almonds, pecans or other nuts laying around, you can turn them into a sweet and crunchy treat.

For candied almonds you will need:

• ½ cup water
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or more depending on taste)
• 1 pound raw almonds

1. Bring water, sugar and cinnamon to a boil in a pot stirring continuously. Add almonds and toss until coated.
2. Lay coated almonds on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. You can pour your remaining mixture on the almonds throughout baking.
3. Take out and let cool before devouring.

Make all these yummy carnival favorites from the comfort of your home. We hope you came out to this weekend’s carnival event, Cirque ’SC, and got a chance to indulge in favorites like popcorn and hot apple cider!