Description
This classic County Fair Funnel Cake recipe delivers crispy, golden, and irresistibly sweet fried treats perfect for enjoying at home. Made with a simple batter of eggs, milk, vanilla, and flour, these funnel cakes are fried to perfection and dusted generously with powdered sugar. They’re an iconic American dessert, beloved at fairs and carnivals, and easy to recreate anytime you crave that nostalgic taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Frying and Serving
- vegetable oil for frying
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt, stirring to evenly distribute.
- Make the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, whisking constantly to create a smooth batter with no lumps.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot and heat it to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to maintain accurate temperature for optimal frying.
- Prepare for Frying: Pour the batter into a funnel, squeeze bottle, or piping bag fitted with a wide tip. Cover the bottom opening with your finger until you’re ready to fry to control the flow.
- Form the Funnel Cake: Hold the funnel or bag over the hot oil, release your finger, and swirl the batter in a circular, web-like pattern into the oil. This creates the classic funnel cake shape.
- Fry the Cake: Fry each funnel cake for about 1–2 minutes on each side or until the cake turns a golden brown color and is cooked through.
- Drain and Cool: Use tongs to remove the funnel cakes from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving. Optionally, add cinnamon to the powdered sugar or top with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or fruit preserves for extra flavor.
Notes
- Add cinnamon to the powdered sugar for a delicious twist.
- Serve with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or fruit preserves for extra indulgence.
- Maintain oil temperature carefully to avoid greasy or undercooked funnel cakes.
- Use a deep pot or skillet with enough oil to submerge the funnel cake for even frying.
