What Is Funnel Cake?
Funnel Cake is an amazing dessert for tea time, somewhat reminiscent of brushwood, and so simple that it seems as if this pastry came out of nothing. This recipe was first mentioned in a German recipe book from 1879. Over time, the sweet treat has become a traditional North American dish.
This American fairground delicacy is made from batter, which is poured from a funnel into hot oil and fried until crisp, while inside, the cake is soft and fluffy. Funnel Cake got its name due to the preparation method: the dough is poured through a funnel in a circular motion.
Best Funnel Cake Toppings
The cake is ideally served with powdered sugar, but you have multiple options for topping:
- Syrups/Sauces: Chocolate syrup, strawberry sauce, honey, caramel, molasses, or maple syrup
- Whipped Cream
- Fruit: add some diced strawberries, blueberries, or bananas.
You can also try a scoop of your favorite homemade jam, a scoop of Nutella, or ice cream with chocolate sauce on top. These toppings are quite rich, making them perfect for sharing with your friends and family.
Why Is My Funnel Cake Falling Apart?
Try chilling the batter in the fridge before cooking if your funnel cake is falling apart. This will really help you if the batter is too thin. For the best result, you should have a thicker batter that flows evenly from the spout.
How To Make Funnel Cake With Pancake Mix?
This recipe doesn't use pancake mix, but you can make great funnel pies out of a pancake mixing box. Prepare the batter by following the instructions on the pancake mix package. For frying, follow the directions described in the recipe.
How To Measure The Temperature Of Oil?
Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil. Too hot oil can overcook the batter, and if the oil is not hot enough, the cakes can turn out greasy.
If you don't have a kitchen thermometer, there are many other tricks to measure the temperature. One of the best way to put the tip of the wooden spoon in the pot; if the bubbles form around the spoon, the oil is ready.
What Can I Use If I Don't Have A Funnel?
If you don't have a funnel and having trouble getting a thin stream, you can pour the batter into a piping bag fitted or a plastic squeeze bottle with a large round tip. This will help you to get the perfect traditional look.
How Do You Pour A Funnel Cake?
Take a clean funnel with a ½" opening. Put your finger to the bottom of the funnel and pour half a cup of batter into the funnel. Now hold the funnel over oil and remove your finger. After that, move the funnel in a circular or criss-cross pattern to get that classic funnel cake look. The shape should not be perfect either, which is the beauty of this recipe!
Which Oil Is Suitable?
It's essential to use an oil that's suitable for deep frying. Peanut oil, canola oils and peanut oil blends made for frying and are excellent choices. Moreover, you can strain the leftover oil and store it in a cool, dark place for re-use.
Can You Refrigerate Funnel Cake Batter?
The funnel cakes are best eaten while fresh and warm. But you can also eat them at room temperature for up to 1 day. Put the Funnel cake batter leftover in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap and store it for up to two days.
Are The Funnel Cakes Healthy?
Yes! Funnel cakes are healthy because they are considered a lower-calorie treat compared to other fried doughs. A 6-inch cake holds less than 300 calories.
The batter contains a high water content that creates steam and the dough to expand, getting a crispy but cloudy texture.
