Wouldn't it be great to be able to enjoy deep-fried treats at the state fair in your own home?If you don't have a deep fryer, you can make a batches of these warm, golden brown fried cookies in your kitchen.Use extreme caution around hot oil.30 minutes is the total time for the prep, Cook, and Total time.
Step 1: The cooking oil should be poured in a heavy cooking pot.
The sides of the pot should be at least 4 inches higher than the oil.When deep frying, there should be enough oil to cover the food, but the pot should not be too full.A vegetable oil with a high smoking point and little to no flavor can be used to fry.You can use a wok or a deep sauté pan if you don't have a heavy cooking pot.
Step 2: The oil should be heated to 400oF.
You can use a frying or candy thermometer.The temperatures show up to 500oF.The center of the pan is where you should hold the oil to check its temperature.It's easy to keep track of the temperature as you work if you have a thermometer that clips to the pan.If you don't have a thermometer, use a wooden spoon, skewer, or chopstick.It's hot enough for frying if the oil bubbles around the wood.Popcorn can be used to check the temperature.When it is close to optimum frying temperature, it will pop in oil that is 350oF.The oil is too hot if it starts to smoke.To cool the pan, remove it from the stove.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together pancake mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil.
The batter should be thick and sticky so that it sticks to the cookies.Add 1/2 cup of pancake mix if your batter is too thin.Substitute funnel cake mix for pancake mix.It needs to be thick enough to coat the cookies.
Step 4: If you want to coat the cookie completely with the batter, dip it in the pancake batter using tongs or your hands.
The cookie shouldn't sit in batter too long or it will get soggy, so only dip one at a time and put it in the oil.The batter should be thick and sticky so you can't see the chocolate cookie underneath.You don't need to stop to wash if you use your "dry hand" to start frying the cookies.If the cookies are falling apart, put them in the freezer.The cream center won't get too melted when you fry it.
Step 5: Put the cookie in the hot oil.
Frying works best in small batches, so only 4 or 5 at a time, depending on the size of your pot.The cookies should be able to float around without touching each other.The temperature will drop if you add cookies to the oil.The oil should be kept between 250oF-325oF.Attempting to fry large batches will cause your batter to stick together and will lower the temperature of the oil too low.When cooking with hot oil, be careful.Throwing battered cookies into the pot would cause spattering, splashing, and a dangerous situation.If you don't want to use your hand to place the cookies in the oil, use tongs.
Step 6: Cook the cookies until they are golden brown, then turn them over with tongs.
The cookies will float on top of the oil in less than 2 minutes.They may burn or over cook if they walk away from the pot.As the cookies are being fried, keep them moving so they don't fall apart.Allow the oil to heat up between batches.To remove batter from the oil, use tongs or a strainer.
Step 7: Place the cookies on a paper towel to be drained.
Oil won't reach the inside batter or cookie on the outer fried dough.Excess grease will make this treat more healthy.Don't soak up every last drop of oil because it provides the flavor and crunch of the cookie.If you want to remove grease from cookies on a wire rack, you can use absorbent paper towel.
Step 8: Wait for the oil to cool before pouring it into a bottle.
You can either reuse the oil for deep frying or donate it to a waste management facility.Put oil in the drain.It will cause plumbing problems.If you can't find a place to recycle your cooking oil, make sure the lid is tight and throw it in the trash.If you plan to reuse your oil within the next few weeks, store it in a cold, dark place or the refrigerator so it will last longer.If you don't have a funnel, pour the cooled oil into a paper cup, then pinch the top of the cup so you can easily pour it into the sealable bottle or container.
Step 9: Warm serve.
You can add any of the following to your dessert: a dusting of powdered sugar, ice cream, chocolate, or caramel sauce.Allow the cookies to cool a bit so you don't burn yourself, but eat them while they're still warm.If you're doing a large amount of cookies, keep them in the oven on low heat so they stay warm until you serve them.