These scrumptious Funnel Cakes are so easy to make. You can bring the carnival home to your kitchen anytime. These fun and crispy treats taste so good straight out of the frnpan and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Surprise the little ones today with all those fond summer fair memories.
Funnel Cakes are Fun
Some food can be so nostalgic, and fair food certainly falls into that category. It brings back wonderful memories of good times with friends and family, going on amusement rides, listening to good music, and playing ring toss and skeeball. And let’s not forget the delicious fairground food. Corn dogs, Navajo tacos, corn fritters, walking tacos, and toasted ravioli are just a few of our family favorites.
Ingredients Needed
How to make Funnel Cakes
First, mix the milk, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl. Then, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until the mixture is smooth and combined.
Next, heat the oil to 375 degrees in a medium-sized heavy pot. Pour the batter into a measuring cup with a spout. Slowly drizzle about 1/2 cup of the mixture into the hot oil in a circular motion and then crisscross to connect the pieces. Cook until golden brown on the bottom (less than 2 minutes). Then, flip and brown the other side. Next, remove to paper towels to drain and sprinkle with powdered sugar. For best results, serve warm. See full recipe instructions below.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- To measure the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a table knife.
- When the batter is dropped into the oil, the funnel cake will naturally take on the shape and size of the pan in which you are frying it. So keep that in mind when choosing a pan. I use an 8-inch pot for these.
- Use a measuring cup with a spout (see picture above) or a thin funnel that flows pretty slowly. The measuring cup with a spout is much easier and less messy.
- A candy thermometer attached to the pot’s side will help you control the temperature of the oil. The oil rises when nothing is in the pot and drops when you add the batter. Turn up or down the heat to try to maintain a somewhat constant oil temperature. A little bump up or down works best.
- Don’t get too wrapped up in the drizzling process. A slow, steady drizzle in a swirling motion followed by a crisscross pattern connecting those circles is all you need. It all seems to work out just fine without you working too hard.
- For best results, I recommend using the batter soon after mixing it; however, I have had good results using it up to 24 hours after mixing it. Always store the batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to make funnel cakes without a funnel
With all the kitchen gadgets a good cook has, is it necessary to purchase yet another one? Absolutely not! I use a large measuring cup with a spout. Just pour the batter in a slow, steady stream. Pour the funnel cake batter into a circular swirl, followed by crisscrossing zig-zag lines connecting the swirl. After one or two cakes, you will find that you have this down pat, and it becomes an effortless breeze.
Fun Funnel Cake Toppings
- Sugar – dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar
- Fresh fruit and whipped cream – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
- Ice cream – vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry
- Sauce – chocolate sauce or caramel sauce
- Other toppings – sprinkles, toasted coconut, chopped chocolate, chopped pecans, chopped walnuts
More Sweet Treats
Homemade Funnel Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- vegetable oil or canola for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients whisking until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- In a medium-sized heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat oil to 375 degrees. Pour batter into a measuring cup with a spout. Slowly drizzle about 1/2 cup of the mixture into the hot oil in a circular motion and then crisscross to connect them. Cook until brown on the bottom (less than 2 minutes). Flip and brown the other side.
- Remove to paper towels to drain, and then sprinkle with powdered sugar. For best results, serve warm.
Video
Notes
- To measure the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a table knife.
- When the batter is dropped into the oil, the funnel cake will naturally take on the shape and size of the pan in which you are frying it. So keep that in mind when choosing a pan. I use an 8-inch pot for these.
- Use a measuring cup with a spout (see picture above) or a thin funnel that flows fairly slowly. The measuring cup with a spout is much easier and less messy.
- A candy thermometer attached to the pot’s side will help you control the temperature of the oil. The oil rises when nothing is in the pot and drops when you add the batter. Turn up or down the heat to try to maintain a somewhat constant oil temperature. A little bump up or down works best.
- Don’t get too wrapped up in the drizzling process. A slow, steady drizzle in circles followed by a crisscross pattern connecting those circles together is all you need. Somehow it all seems to work out just fine without working too hard on it.
- For best results, I recommend using the batter soon after mixing it; however, I have had good results using it up to 24 hours after mixing it. Always store the batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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Nikki
This is our favorite funnel cake recipe. It is easy to make and it turns out perfect everytime!
Vanessa
Funnel Cake is a fair favorite, but it’s even better made at home! Everyone loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Vanessa. I am glad that everyone loved it.
Rose
My kids all love funnel cakes. Their grandma introduced them at an amusement park and they have been fans ever since.
Ellanor
I’ve always loved the look of funnel cakes, but never found any to try. I didn’t know you could make them so easily at home. What a fab recipe!
Richard
I love this funnel cake recipe. It is tasty, easy and they turn out perfect everytime.
Rami
These are better than the funnel cakes I got at my kids carnival. Thanks for the great recipe. They cooked up crisp and tasty. Everyone enjoyed them.
Marysa
I have only ever had these at the fair. I think I’ve seen some kits for it too, but never tried it. It would be interesting to try my hand at it!
Clarice
This a perfect snack idea. Very easy to make and I am pretty sure the kids would love it. Thank you for the tip regarding the measuring cup with a spout. I also prefer it than using a funnel.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Clarice!
Sammie
That’s a great tip! I agree that you don’t need to purchase another kitchen gadget for funnel cakes. Using a large measuring cup with a spout is a fantastic alternative. Your technique of pouring the batter in a circular swirl and then adding crisscrossing zig-zag lines sounds like a fun and creative way to make perfect funnel cakes. With practice, it sounds like anyone can master this technique and create delicious funnel cakes. Thanks for sharing your insights!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sammie! Enjoy the funnel cakes!
April
Funnel cake is a favorite of mine! This recipe works amazing.Thanks for sharing!
Catherine Shane Cabuhat
This funnel cake look so delish and easy to make since I am new in baking. I’d love to try this at home and I think my family would love this as well!
Monique
I absolutely loved your recipe for funnel cakes! The step-by-step instructions were easy to follow, and the end result was delicious. It brought back fond memories of enjoying these sweet treats at fairs and carnivals. Can’t wait to make them again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Monique! I am so glad that you enjoyed them!
Nayna Kanabar
I have only ever had funnel cakes on holidays. I have never thought to make them at home. The recipe looks lovely and I will definitely make it.
Ivan
I never realized that funnel cakes are so easy to make. So quick and easy and the kids loved them!
Debbie
I always search out some scrumptious Funnel Cakes whenever I’m at a festival or our local fair! These look so easy to make at home – and I love all the yummy looking topping suggestions, too!