How to Make Funnel Cake

Ahhh! Funnel cake! Reminds me of my childhood days when I used to visit the seaside resort with my family. More than enjoying in the water, eating the funnel cakes that were being sold there, was more important to me. I could not wait to sink my teeth into the soft funnel cake.

Funnel cakes are a regional novelty food of the United States. They are mainly sold at the carnivals, at fairs, at any sporting events or at the seaside resorts. Its origin goes back to 1879, Germany. The cake derives its name from the method that it is prepared. The batter is poured through a funnel into the hot cooking oil in a circular pattern and then they are fried till they are golden brown in color. After having their first taste at the carnival, your kids probably are badgering you to make a funnel cake at home. So let's see how.

Recipe #1

Before we start, we have to prepare the most important thing, the cake batter.

Things Required

• Egg (large)
• Mixing bowls
• Wire whisk
• Salt
• Milk
• Sugar-granulated
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Vegetable oil
• Skillet- deep and large
• Food thermometer
• Funnel (medium size)
• A ladle (large)
• Tongs
• Paper towels
• And powdered sugar.

Method

• First you beat an egg in the mixing bowl with the wire whisk.
• Pour in 2/3 cups of milk slowly. Don't stop stirring.
• In another mixing bowl, mix together 1⅓ cups of the all-purpose flour, ¼ tablespoon of salt, about 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and ¾ teaspoon of the baking powder.
• Now mix both the above mixture together and keep beating it with the wire whisk, till the batter is smooth.

There, now you have your batter for the cake.

• In the skillet, pour the vegetable oil, at least 1 inch of depth.
• Heat the oil. With the thermometer measure the temperature. It should be around 375ºF.
• Take the funnel now and close the hole at the bottom with your finger.
• Using the ladle, pour one scoop of the batter that you have prepared, into the funnel.
• Now remove the finger and allow the batter to run out into the skillet with the hot oil.
• Keep moving the funnel in circular motions to create a round cake.
• Fry this cake for at least 2 to 3 minutes, till they turn golden brown in color.
• Now using the tongs, flip over the cake and fry the other side for 2 to 3 minutes again or till it turns golden brown.
• Now take out the cake from the skillet and place it on the paper towels for the excess oil to drain off.
• While the cake is still warm, sprinkle some of the powdered sugar on it.
• Serve and watch your kids enjoy the delicious homemade funnel cake.

Recipe #2

Things Required

• Pancake mix
• Water
• Bowl to mix and spoons
• Sauce pan or skillet
• Vegetable oil
• Chocolate syrup
• Powdered sugar

Direction

• Make sure that you have all the ingredients that you need for the cake. If you want, you can also keep some nuts or chocolate chips handy to add to your cake.
• On a medium flame heat the vegetable oil in the pan.
• Meanwhile, in the mixing bowl, mix together pancake mix and water. Don't make the batter too thin and watery.
• Check that the oil is hot enough and then add the pancake mix into it.
• Let the mix boil in the oil for at least 2 to 3 minutes or till it turns golden brown.
• Remove this from the pan now and place it on a plate or a cookie sheet, and drain out the excess oil
• Now, on top of the pancake, put some chocolate syrup and sprinkle some of the powdered sugar. This you can use as per your liking.
• You can also add some of the nuts or chocolate chips if you want to.
• Serve and be ready to have the compliments and the hugs from your kids.

You can learn more about various other funnel cake recipes which you can prepare at home for you and your family. Now that you have 2 excellent recipes, your kids will not have to wait for the next carnival or the next visit to the seaside resort to indulge in this delicious funnel cake.