Funnel Cake Swirl

Let's bring the carnival home! We love funnel cakes around here so I wanted to try and make them myself. And according to James, they're better than what we get at our local carnival events and I must say - they were quite delicious. It's a super fun recipe to make for the family - kids love it!

Georgia's carnival season is usually in May so we wanted to pay homage to the fun! Of course you can make this recipe any time of the year and it can be used for special occasions or just fun desserts at home!

Ingredients Overview

See recipe card for quantities.

• Vegetable Oil - for frying
• All-purpose flour
• Cane sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla extract 
• Baking powder
• Eggs
• Whole milk
• Powdered sugar - optional topping but highly recommended!

Instructions Overview

Here's what the process will look like!

Step 1: Prepare your frying oil and funnel cake batter.

Step 2: Transfer batter into ziplock bag to make a funnel/piping bag.

Step 3: Slowly squeeze out bag's contents in spiral motion over the oil.

4. Step 4: Remove and dust with powdered sugar!

Hint: make sure your oil reaches a temperature of 375 Fahrenheit (190 C) to achieve good frying!

Substitutions

• Gluten Free - instead of all purpose flour, use gluten free flour. Ratio should be 1:1.
• Frying Oil - if you don't have Vegetable Oil, you can try using Canola Oil or Peanut Oil as well. Olive Oil is also an option, but it doesn't have as high of a heat tolerance and may make your funnel cake taste a little more bitter.

Variations

• Deluxe - if you want to make this a decadent dessert platter, you can add some fun toppings like chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, sprinkles, cut up fruit, and some ice cream! You can use my all natural Cocoa & Caramel Dip recipe here too!

Equipment

• 1 Small/Medium Stovetop Pot
• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 1 Whisk
• 1 Ziplock Bag sandwich sized
• 1 Rubber Spatula
• 1 Tongs
• 1 Plate
• Paper Towels

Storage

1. Cooling: Allow the funnel cake to cool completely on a wire rack before storing it. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the cake soggy.
2. Airy Container: Place the cooled funnel cake in a container that allows for airflow, such as a cake dome or a container with a loose-fitting lid. Avoid using airtight containers or wrapping the cake tightly in plastic, as this can trap moisture and cause the cake to lose its crispiness.
3. Room Temperature: If you plan to consume the funnel cake within a few hours, you can store it at room temperature. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
4. Reheating: If the funnel cake has lost some of its crispiness, you can reheat it in the oven to restore its texture. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), place the funnel cake on a baking sheet, and bake it for 5-10 minutes, or until it's warmed through and crispy again.
5. Freezing (Optional): If you have leftover funnel cake that you want to store for longer-term storage, you can freeze it. Wrap the cooled funnel cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen funnel cake can last for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
6. Thawing: When ready to enjoy the frozen funnel cake, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the oven as described above to restore its crispiness.

FAQ