Homemade Funnel Cake Recipes
Published June 16, 2021. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This delicious incredibly easy-to-make homemade funnel cake recipe will immediately bring back all the feels like a child from your county fair.
Nothing can finish off an awesome meal like a tasty dessert. It could be something big or something small, but the right amount of sweetness can just make things perfect. If you’re looking to try some new sweet treats then definitely try my tres leches cake or chocolate chess pie recipe.
Funnel Cake
The funnel cake was invented by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th century. The earliest known recipe was found in a cookbook in 1935. They were always served hot and frequently consumed at festivals and get-togethers. Since they are so easy to make with readily available ingredients and delicious, local fairs and carnivals began to serve them.
The concept of a funnel cake began when the concession stand workers would pour the batter from a water pitcher through a funnel and would make a zig-zag circular motion into a deep fryer. The batter immediately expands into a fluffy dough making it stick together to form a circular-shaped fried pastry. It is then served warm with a lot of powdered sugar sprinkled over top.
Typical funnel cake batter ingredients consist of:
- Milk
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Salt
How to Make a Funnel Cake from Scratch
Follow these simple instructions for making a homemade funnel cake from scratch:
Heat some oil in a medium to large saucepot to 375° Fahrenheit.
Next, whisk together all of the wet ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
In a separate medium-size bowl whisk together all of the dry ingredients.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient bowl in batches so that no clumps can form and that it doesn’t thicken too quickly.
Transfer the batter to a pitcher or to a large squeeze bottle with a wide-open top.
Pour some of the batter through the pitcher into a funnel or squeeze some of the batter through the squeeze bottle in zig-zag circular motions to form a large circle.
Cook for 90 seconds and then flip it over, using tongs and cook it for a further 30 seconds.
Drain any excess oil by setting it onto some paper towels and then serve it hot generously sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: These are meant to be eaten right away. However, you could make them up to 1 hour ahead of time and keep them warm at very low temperatures in the oven or under a heat lamp.
How to Store: Place covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
How to Reheat: Add the funnel cake to a pan and place itin the oven at 350° for 2-3 minutes or until warm. You can also heat in the microwave until warm.
chef notes + tips
- Please feel free to use any oil you desire except olive oil.
- This will not bake in the oven.
- You can also serve this up with jelly, jam, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.
More Dessert Recipes
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Video
Homemade Funnel Cake Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 3/4 cups whole milk
- ½ stick melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Add 4 to 6 cups of oil to a medium to large size saucepot over medium-low heat until it reaches and holds at 375° Fahrenheit.
- Next, add the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla to a large bowl and whisk until completely combined. Set aside.
- In a separate medium-size bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In batches of 3 add the flour mixture to the wet ingredient bowl and vigorously whisk until it is smooth before adding in the next batch.
- Once combined transfer to a large squeeze bottle with a large open top. In addition, you can do this the original way and transfer the batter to a water pitcher and pour the batter through a funnel directly into the hot oil.
- Whether you are adding the batter through the squeeze bottle or through the funnel you want to add in a total of about ¾ cup of the batter in zig-zag circular motions overlapping the batter to form a large circle.
- Cook for 90 seconds or until lightly browned and then flip over and cook for a further 30 seconds.
- Remove the funnel cake and quickly drain it on a paper towel. Garnish with powdered sugar and serve.
Tried this recipe it was spot on must try it!
Thanks!!
fantastic!
What is the whole milk measurement (2) 3/4 cups or 2cups of milk and 1 3/4 .Im so confused.
2 3/4
Looking forward to making this.
At my state fair they sale this.
So now I get to make this.
Thanks