I know it's probably been over a month, but don't think I've forgotten about using this Friday newsletter as a platform to endorse entertaining weekend baking projects. (Admittedly, this one is a little different, and not technically baking, but whatever.)

While I don't doubt that people are still plugging away on their sourdoughs and other serious yeasted breads, I thought it would be fun to switch it up a bit with something very fast, pretty easy, and completely lighthearted: funnel cake.

This state fair classic has to be one of the more joyful desserts there is, both in the cooking (you get to wildly swirl the batter into hot oil through a funnel) and in the eating (if you don't wind up with powdered sugar all over your face you've done something terribly wrong). It's also synonymous with summer (we're almost there), requires no exotic or expensive ingredients, and is a spectacularly effective/easy way to entertain bored children for a few minutes. Not to mention that you don't have to turn on the oven, which never hurts as the weather begins to heat up.

I know that life isn't a carnival right now, but making these will help it feel like one, at least for a little while. Have a wonderful weekend.

—Mark

FUNNEL CAKE

Talk To Me, Goose!

Questions, comments, brilliant suggestions? Just want to share the recipe for your grandma's potato salad, or your mom's meatloaf, or your uncle Drew's three-day 100-percent rye loaf (yes, please)? Don't hesitate to reach out anytime.