Funnel Cakes - Cake Funnel Gold Medal Mix

Funnel cakes are a beloved sweet treat, instantly recognizable at fairs, carnivals, and festivals across the United States. This regional specialty, originally associated with the Pennsylvania Dutch, is made by pouring a simple batter through a funnel into hot oil in a circular pattern, then deep-frying it until golden brown. Typically, they're served hot, dusted with powdered sugar, but can also be enjoyed with various toppings like jam, fruit fillings, or whipped cream.

What Are Funnel Cakes?

Funnel cake is a popular fried dough dessert, often found at outdoor food stands, amusement parks, and seaside resorts. While you can certainly make them at home, they're most commonly enjoyed as a special treat from concession stands. These stands often use a specially designed pitcher with an integral funnel-like spout, making it easy to create the distinctive swirled pattern.

Funnel Cakes vs. Fried Dough

While funnel cakes might resemble other fried dough treats like "elephant ears," there's a key difference: the batter. Funnel cakes are made with an unleavened batter, meaning it doesn't contain yeast. In contrast, products like fried dough or elephant ears typically use a risen yeast dough, giving them a different texture and flavor profile.

Essential Components: Batter and Funnels

At the heart of every funnel cake is its batter and the tool used to shape it:

• Batter: This is a thick or thin liquid mixture, typically made from flour, a liquid like water or milk, and eggs. A leavening agent, such as baking powder, is often included to give the cooked cake a light, fluffy texture.
• Funnel: A funnel is a cone-shaped tool with a wide mouth and a narrow stem. It's essential for channeling the batter precisely into the hot oil, allowing you to create the signature intricate patterns without excessive spillage.

Classic Funnel Cake Recipes

Ready to try making funnel cakes at home? Here are several popular recipes, ranging from traditional to unique variations. Remember to always exercise caution when deep-frying.

1. Basic Funnel Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Optional toppings: powdered sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, warmed apple or other fruit filling, ice cream, whipped cream, syrups

Preparation:

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl with a wire whisk.
2. In another bowl, beat the egg and milk. Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
4. Heat at least 1 inch of oil in a deep pan or fryer to 375 degrees F.
5. Pour batter through a funnel into the hot oil in a circular motion.
6. Fry until golden brown, then flip and fry the other side.
7. Remove, drain on paper towels, and top as desired.

2. Simple Funnel Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2/3 cup milk, room temperature
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Confectioner's sugar, sifted (for topping)
• Vegetable oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Beat the egg with the milk.
2. In a separate bowl, blend all dry ingredients except confectioner's sugar.
3. Gradually add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, beating until smooth.
4. Heat at least 1 inch of oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 375 degrees F.
5. Place your thumb over the bottom opening of a funnel. Pour batter into the funnel.
6. Remove your thumb and drop the batter into the hot oil, using a circular motion to form spirals about 4 inches in diameter for each cake.
7. Remove when golden brown. While the cake is still warm, sprinkle generously with confectioner's sugar. Best served warm.

3. Family Funnel Cake

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar (for topping)
• Vegetable oil (for deep frying - heat to 375 degrees F)

Preparation:

1. Beat the eggs, then add the sugar and milk.
2. Sift 2 cups of flour, the salt, and the baking powder, and add to the milk, sugar, and egg mixture.
3. Mix while gradually adding more flour until the batter is smooth and not too thick.
4. Ensure your funnel has an opening of at least 1/2 inch and can hold about a cup of batter.
5. Put your finger over the bottom of the funnel and add about a cup of batter.
6. Remove your finger and allow the batter to pour into the center of the oil. Gradually swirl the batter outward in a circular motion, or criss-cross back and forth, to make a cake about 7 or 8 inches round. Be careful, as the oil may splash!
7. Check with a pair of tongs and turn it when the bottom becomes golden brown.
8. When both sides are done, remove with tongs and let it drip on a paper towel.
9. Funnel cake is often served with powdered sugar on top. You could also use molasses, maple syrup, or fruit preserves. Enjoy!

4. Breakfast Funnel Cake (Waffle Iron Method)

This unique take on funnel cake uses a waffle iron for a less traditional, but equally delicious, breakfast treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Bisquick mix
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup sugar

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
2. Pour some batter into a seasoned waffle iron.
3. Bake until golden brown.
4. Serve with or without syrup.

5. Famous Amish Funnel Cakes

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 cups flour, sifted
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1. To the beaten eggs, add milk and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl, sift the dry ingredients.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, beating until smooth.
4. Heat oil to 375 degrees F.
5. Pour batter into the hot fat through a regular household funnel. Control the flow of batter by holding your finger over the bottom of the funnel.
6. Make patterns, designs, or swirls with the stream of batter as it flows into the hot fat.
7. When "cakes" are golden brown, drain, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve warm.

6. Small Batch Funnel Cake

This recipe yields a smaller quantity, perfect for a quick treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1. Beat milk with the egg.
2. Blend dry ingredients and gradually add the milk mixture, beating constantly until the batter is smooth.
3. Holding your finger over the bottom of a funnel, fill the funnel with batter.
4. Deep fry the "cakes" by dropping batter into deep fat heated to 375 degrees F, using a circular movement from the center outward to form a spiral cake about 3 inches in diameter.
5. Immediately replace your finger on the bottom of the funnel, then form more cakes.
6. Fry until fluffy and golden brown, turning once.
7. Drain on absorbent paper. Sift confectioners' sugar lightly over cakes or drizzle with molasses and serve at once. This recipe makes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 dozen cakes.

7. Silver Dollar Funnel Cakes

These smaller, "silver dollar" sized funnel cakes are perfect for sharing or for a bite-sized treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups unsifted flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2/3 cup milk
• Oil for deep frying
• Powdered sugar (for topping)

Preparation:

1. Sift all dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Combine egg and milk in another bowl, mixing well.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, beating until smooth. Stir in additional milk if necessary to reach desired consistency.
4. Heat 1 inch of oil in a 6 to 8-inch heavy saucepan until very hot.
5. Fill a funnel with about 1/3 cup of batter, holding your finger over the bottom of the funnel.
6. Drop batter in a spiral motion to create small cakes.
7. Fry until golden, turning once.
8. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. This recipe yields about 6 large funnel cakes, or more if made smaller.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a funnel cake?

A funnel cake is a sweet, fried dough pastry made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot oil in a circular pattern, then deep-frying until golden brown. It's typically served with powdered sugar and is a popular treat at fairs and carnivals.

Where are funnel cakes most popular?

Funnel cakes are widely popular across the United States, especially at ballparks, fairs, festivals, and amusement parks. They originated as a regional specialty in the Pennsylvania Dutch region.

What's the difference between funnel cake and fried dough?

The main difference lies in the dough. Funnel cakes are made with an unleavened batter (no yeast), resulting in a crispier texture. Fried dough, or "elephant ears," typically uses a risen yeast dough, which gives it a chewier consistency.