Funnel Cakes

The mix is the key ingredient and frankly you get what you pay for. Ever been to a carnival and get a 1/2 inch funnel cake that tastes bland and you wish you would have bought from the funnel cake vendor for $1 more to get the real thing? Well the difference is in the mix. Some carnivals use a generic brand mix that costs less so they can make more money. The funnel cake stand I own, I only use premium mix that costs more but has customers coming back for more and the compliments roll in. To buy this premium mix check out my links below under supplies. A single bag will make you about 40 funnel cakes and the mix can last about 2 years in a sealed container.

Never use peanut oil because people are allergic to peanuts. Also, peanut oil typically costs more to use. A regular Crisco or vegetable oil will work just fine for cooking funnel cakes at home. You can get this at your local Walmart or shopping center. Also, do not use olive oil, you will not get the desired taste and it also costs a lot more to use.

When making a funnel cake you should only use powdered sugar. Regular sugar will not stick to the funnel cake as much and will produce a funnel cake that is too sweet to eat. Powdered sugar should be applied using a sifter to ensure an even distribution across the funnel cake. You can use any regular powdered sugar from your local grocery store.

Cooking funnel cakes isn't very difficult. Use about a 8" to 10" round pan. Whatever size of funnel cake you desire to have. The batter will fill up around the edges so the size of the pan matters. You do not want to make a funnel cake too large for one person to eat. Also, if you pour the batter too thick then the inside of the funnel cake can be gooey and taste like batter. You can also purchase a funnel cake pourer and ring for a nominal price to insure you pour the perfect funnel cake.

a. Make your mix following the instructions on the mix container. The batter should not be too runny or too thick. The mix should be only water and dry powder. The batter should pour like syrup would coming out of a bottle.

b. When your mix is ready, pour your oil into the pan and bring the oil up to cooking temperature. Make sure you have at least 1" of oil in the pan. Once the oil is ready, place your funnel cake ring into the oil and use your pourer with the mix in it.

c. Pouring a funnel cake is somewhat of an art so it may take a couple times to get a great funnel cake. I typically pour in a circle several times and then across back and forth several times until the desired shape is achieved.

d. Once the top of the funnel cake begins turning brown (about 15-20 seconds), remove the ring and flip the funnel cake over with tongs. Each side should take approximately 15-20 seconds if your oil is at the right temperature.

e. When the funnel cake looks cooked enough...take tongs and remove the funnel cake. Turn the funnel cake to shake any excess oil off into the pan. Put the funnel cake on a plate and use a sifter with powdered sugar to cover the funnel cake. Home made funnel cakes!

Warning: Adding too much water to your mix will release steam when cooking, the steam can be very hot and burn your hand so I suggest using a cooking glove when pouring. Also, be sure to use the proper safety when cooking over an open flame. Baking soda will help put out any grease or oil fires so having a box on hand is also wise. Never use water to try to put out an oil or grease fire.

To enhance your funnel caking experience I suggest buying a tub of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whip cream or cherries. After you have made the funnel cake place one scoop of ice cream on the top and garnish it will syrup, whip cream, and cherries. The sundae funnel cake will be a desert you can't stop eating.

You can also top your funnel cakes with pie filling which provides you with many options such as apple, cherry, blueberry. The desert will taste like apple, cherry, or blueberry pie.

Enjoy!

My homepage for Frannie's Funnel Cakes. Contact us for information regarding special events or fairs in the Chicagoland area.