Funnel Cakes

Treat the family to this recipe for crispy homemade Funnel Cakes dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with syrup or topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Easy Homemade Funnel Cakes Recipe

What is a funnel cake? While the word “cake” is in the title, funnel cakes aren’t cake-like at all. They consist of a light vanilla extract infused batter that’s drizzled into hot oil and deep fried. The frying process transforms them into a pastry with a crispy and golden exterior. They’re popular at street fairs, theme parks and sold from food trucks securing their position as one of those fun-to-eat foods. The name references how they were originally made by pouring the batter through a funnel into the vegetable oil for frying. How to make homemade Funnel Cakes: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Heat Oil – In a deep cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil to 375°F. Have nearby a large baking sheet lined with paper towels.
• Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
• Wet Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, water, eggs and vanilla.
• Combine – Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients mixing until fully moistened.
• Divide the Batter – Ladle a generous ½ cup at a time to a large funnel, a plastic bottle with the tip cut off or a measuring cup with a spout. (If using a funnel, hold finger over funnel opening while filling.)
• Transfer to Oil – Holding the funnel (or chosen dispenser) several inches above the oil release your finger from the opening and move in a spiral motion until all the batter is released. If using a funnel scrape with a rubber spatula.
• Cook – Fry per the recipe using tongs and a spatula to gently flip frying the other side until golden.
• Powdered Sugar – Remove to the paper towel lined pan immediately dusting both sides generously with powdered sugar. Repeat until all of the batter is used.
• Serve immediately as is or topped with fresh berries, drizzled with chocolate or caramel sauce, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

How to Make the BEST Funnel Cakes Recipe

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Funnel Cakes: All purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, whole milk, water, vanilla extract, large eggs and canola oil or vegetable oil for frying.
• Suggested Toppings: Powdered sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or ice cream for serving;
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: A large skillet or Dutch oven fitted with a fry thermometer, measuring cups and spoons, a large funnel, sheet pan, tongs and stainless steel spatula plus powdered sugar wand or duster.
• While classic funnel cakes are made using a funnel, when making them at home you can also use a plastic squeeze bottle filled with batter or a measuring cup with a spout. 
• When using a plastic squeeze bottle, snip off enough from the tip that the batter will flow easily into the hot oil. 
• When making them the traditional way using a funnel, it’s important to hold a finger over funnel opening while filling it with batter. If you don’t, it will pour out as quickly as you pour it in.
• When releasing the batter into the oil, move in a spiral motion to create the shape. Remember, no two funnel cakes ever turn out the same way, that’s the fun of this sort of deep fried pastry dessert.
• I recommend using canola oil for frying, as it’s important to fry these at a high temperature and canola oil has a higher smoke point.
• Can I use a deep fryer for making funnel cakes? You could, depending on the size of the funnel cakes. A round pot or Dutch oven works best for the classic round shape.
• Is powdered sugar and confectioners sugar the same thing? Yes, those terms are often used interchangeably.
• Make an effort to maintain the oil temperature throughout, to prevent the funnel cakes from absorbing too much oil and becoming greasy.
• Funnel cakes are meant to eaten warm so I recommend that you make, cook and enjoy.

Toppings for Funnel Cakes

Funnel cakes can be topped in a variety of ways. You can serve them simply dusted with powdered sugar which is the classic way. You can also coat them with cinnamon and sugar, or drizzle them with a variety of flavored syrups and go full on ice cream sundae, if you like.  Whipped cream and fresh berries, caramel and cream, the sky’s the limit. When it comes to suitable toppings, you may like to try my recipes for: Dark Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce and Bourbon Praline Pecan Sauce.

More Easy Street Fair Dessert Recipes to Make

Street and theme park food is meant to be fun to make and eat. A few other popular recipes you may like to try:

• Crispy Homemade Corn Dogs.
• Shake-up the dessert menu with this recipe for Peach Shortcake.
• Cool down with a tall glass of Homemade Lemonade.
• Serve these Loaded Nachos Supreme as an appetizer or a complete meal.
• Dole Whip Recipe from Belly Full.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Stand Mixer
• Cooling Racks
• Measuring Set
• Frying Thermometer