Have you ever come across funnel cake and wondered what is in this somewhat unusual dessert? Funnel cake is not cake – at least not in the way that most people think of cake. However, it is a very popular and delicious food, and you can make it yourself at home.
So, let’s find out what’s in funnel cake and a bit about how it is made.
What is funnel cake made of? Funnel cake is made of eggs, flour, powdered sugar, milk, granulated sugar, baking powder, and a bit of water. It is a fried dessert that is popular at fairs, and it is often eaten as a street food. Funnel cake needs to be eaten fresh and sizzling to be truly enjoyed.
What are the Ingredients of Funnel Cake?
Funnel cake ingredients may vary slightly, but in general, you will be making a batter using flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. This is similar to other sweet batters, but adding a little baking powder, vanilla essence, water, and powdered sugar helps to really complete and perfect this recipe.
Some people omit the granulated sugar and just use powdered sugar. You will also need some vegetable oil for frying in.
In certain recipes, extra ingredients may be added to lend this recipe an unusual twist, but this is everything you need for a basic funnel cake recipe.
Are There Different Kinds Of Funnel Cake?
Yes, there are many kinds of funnel cakes. Almost every flavor variation that can be imagined has been invented at different times, so whatever flavor you prefer, you should be able to find a recipe for it.
Some top recipe options include:
- Funnel cake hot dogs – something like corn dogs, but with delicious funnel cake batter encasing the hot dogs
- Nutella funnel cake – chocolate and fried batter are a very popular match, and this is a recipe the kids will love
- Blueberry funnel cake – for a healthier twist, add some pulped blueberries or blueberry jam to your batter and enjoy the sweet flavor
- Chocolate funnel cake – try some cocoa powder to give this recipe a chocolatey twist
You can also add things like chopped fruit, berries, or strawberry sauce to your cooked funnel cake. Don’t feel you have to stick to the traditional recipe; branch out and experiment with flavors. Some people even like to make funnel cakes spicy.
Can You Make Funnel Cake At Home?
Yes, you can make funnel cake yourself at home. It is actually very easy, and you don’t need an oven as you would for other cakes. Instead, you will be deep frying it on a stovetop in a pan.
To make funnel cake yourself, you should start by whisking up your eggs, flour, sugar, milk, and baking powder. Some people also like to add a pinch of salt at this stage, but this is optional.
Next, half fill your pan with vegetable oil. You need around three inches of oil. That might seem a lot, but funnel cake is a deep fried food, and it won’t work if you don’t have enough oil.
Heat the oil and pour your batter into a piping bag. Make sure it does not run out of either end while you are waiting for the oil to get hot. It helps to put a peg on one end, and pinch the other. Making funnel cake can be a bit messy!
Once the oil is hot, hold the piping bag over the pan and swirl some of the batter into it. You should aim for a roughly circular shape, but funnel cake does not need to be neat. Pinch the opening closed and then move to a new area of the pan and make a second cake.
You can add as many cakes as will fit in your pan. Allow the cakes to cook for about a minute, and then flip them and let them cook for another minute. They should turn golden brown on both sides, and the outside of the batter should become crispy.
Drain the excess oil off the cakes by resting them on paper towels, and then dust icing sugar across them, and you have your own homemade funnel cakes. Note that these should be eaten hot and fresh for maximum enjoyment, as they do not keep well.
Where is Funnel Cake Usually Eaten?
Funnel cake is a food that is most commonly associated with fairgrounds. Like other deep fried foods, it tends to be reserved for the “treat” days, where everyone is having fun and not worrying about what they are eating. It is hot, satisfying, and delightfully crispy, perfect for eating straight from the fryer.
Funnel cake can be eaten anywhere, so there’s no need to reserve it for the fair. However, it is a bit of a tricky recipe because it involves deep frying, so you may find that you only make it at home for special occasions. It can be a great way to treat the family, however.
Can You Make Funnel Cake Without Deep Frying It?
No, you can’t. Funnel cake needs to be deep fried; this is what makes the batter cook properly. If you try to cook funnel cake without a deep pan of oil, you won’t get that delicious, crispy texture, and it will not cook well.
You have probably already noticed that funnel cake has a lot of overlap with pancake batter, and the two are quite similar. You can even use dried pancake batter to make funnel cake, although you may need to add more eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract.
If you don’t deep fry your funnel cakes, you will probably find that they come out rather like pancakes – flat, fluffy and pleasant, but not the deliciously crispy treat that you are looking to create.
Final Thoughts
Funnel cake is made by deep frying a batter made from eggs, milk, flour, and baking powder. It is a great thing to make at home for special occasions, but make sure you are careful when handling the hot oil. This is not a kid-friendly recipe! Serve your funnel cakes hot and steaming, rather than letting them go cold after frying.