There is nothing that tastes more of summer fairs and carnivals than a crispy golden funnel cake. Well if you ever desired to make these classic favorite treats without having to leave your house, then you are in-exactly the right place! Homemade Funnel Cake If you are looking for a sweet treat to remind you of the fair, then try this homemade funnel cake recipe to bring the fair home. It’s easy to throw together and you’ll have the ingredients on hand more than likely. You will be serving funnel cakes in no time with this.
What is Funnel Cake?
So before we get started on this super easy funnel cake recipe from scratch for dessert, let me tell you why I love funnel cakes. Funnel cakes are a type of deep-fried pastry, usually having a lacy appearance of crisply fried batter from being funneled into hot oil. After the frying, they will be brown and golden colored and dusted with a mound of powdered sugar (though topping them with chocolate syrup, strawberries or whipped cream is common).
Ingredients You’ll Need
A few simple and common ingredients are all you need to make this easy homemade funnel cake recipe for a quick dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (for topping)
Frying oil (like veggie or canola oil)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Batter:
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, and do it first. In another bowl, combine the egg, milk and vanilla, beating until blended.
Add wet ingredients to dry ones slowly while stirring until the mixture is homogeneous. The batter should be very thick, but pourable. If you feel it is too thick, then you can add a little more milk to obtain the consistency you like.
Heat the Oil:
In a large skillet or deep frying pan, pour in about one inch of oil and heat over medium-high heat. Drop a tiny crumb of batter into the oil to check if hot enough. If the oil sputters and sizzles and becomes golden quickly, you are ready to start frying.
Create the Funnel Cake Shape:
Fill your batter in squeezable bottle or in piping bag or also in a plastic bag by snipping one corner mini hole. This will assist you in regulating the batter flow into the oil.
Piping batter into hot oil in a circular pattern, either spiraled or crisscross This is what causes funnel cake to have its signature shape. Creamy Sweet Potato & Dhal based pancakes or fritters Fry golden brown on each side in about 1-2 minutes.
Remove and Drain:
Using a slotted spoon or spatula, gently remove the funnel cake from the oil and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Add Toppings:
Sprinkle the cake well with powdered sugar as for a classic funnel cake experience. But don’t stop there! Feel free to add some other fun toppings as well. Such as chocolate syrup, caramel, fresh fruits or even ice cream. The options are endless!
Funnel Cake: Tips for Making the Best Funnel Cake
It is pretty simple to follow this easy homemade funnel cake recipe step by step for a sweet treat, but here are a couple extra tips to ensure your funnel cakes turn out just right:
Proper Oil Temperature:
Getting the oil temperature right is crucial if you want your funnel cake to be crispy, rather than greasy. It should be about 350°F, hotter than that will burn your funnel cake and cooler than that, it will be gravy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:
If you’re preparing several funnel cakes, fry 1 by 1. Fried products will reduce oil taking temperature, and more diverse in your funnel cakes;
Serve Immediately:
The only way to eat funnel cakes is fresh off the fryer. If you do make a batch for a group, you can hold them in the oven at low temperature until you’re ready to serve them.
Topping Ideas to Try
There are lots of great options for funnel cake toppings but powdered sugar is the traditional topping. Here are some ideas:
Chocolates Drizzle: Simply melt a few amounts of chocolates, just mix it and drizzle over.
Fruit on Top: Can be topped with strawberry slices, banana slices or blueberries
Heavy Cream/Whipped cream: Top with a heavy whipped cream to lighten things up a bit.
Caramel Sauce: Drizzle caramel on your funnel cake for a more decadent dessert.
Cinnamon and Sugar: Combine cinnamon with sugar for a cozy flavor.
Either way, these toppings will take this easy homemade funnel cake recipe for a sweet dessert dessert to a new level.
Why This Funnel Cake Recipe Is The Best
This recipe is for a sweet treat, a funnel cake that is easy to prepare at home. It is beginner friendly recipe as ingredients are simple and easy steps. These funnel cakes don’t require any fancy specialized equipment, unlike some of the other recipes out there that may require a deep fryer or a professional funnel to conduct a funnel from the batter bowl to the frying oil (I just made that up but who has the time for fancy?) All you need to do is have a pan, your oil of choice, and a squeeze bottle or plastic bag, and you can make that fair staple at home.
Fun Variations to Try
If working in the kitchen & creating is your bag. Here are some fun variations to this simple homemade funnel cake recipe for you:
Mini Funnel Cakes: Instead of one huge funnel cake, make a couple of small ones. Perfect for party serving, easy to snack on.
Chocolate Funnel Cake: Mix in a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolatey treat.
Savory Funnel Cake: Omit the sugar, vanilla and any other sweet flavoring and replace with a pinch of salt and spices like garlic powder or paprika. Pair with a cheese dip or marinara sauce for more of a savory spin.
Final Thoughts
Making funnel cake from scratch is incredibly rewarding. You can easily take a bit of the fair home with you with this simple recipe for funnel cakes at home for a delicious dessert anytime. The ideal thing to indulge in during a snug night in, a special weekend brekkie, or even a get-together with family and friends. But the best part is that you can pull it all together whenever the craving for something sweet strikes.
So why wait for the next carnival to enjoy a delicious funnel cake? With this recipe, you have everything you need to make an easy homemade funnel cake recipe for a sweet treat right in your own kitchen. Get your ingredients ready, heat up the oil, and start creating a dessert that’s sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces!
