Funnel Cake

Funnel Cake is a State Fair favorite and has the longest lines possible and honestly, we think we go there just to be able to enjoy this wonderful treat. The “yummy, sweet, warm, crispy-outside and soft-inside” goodness makes the long lines so worth the trouble and effort.

Prep Time: 7 min.
Cook Time: 3-4 min for each cake
Makes: approx. 5, 7″cakes

Ingredients:

Egg – 1
Milk – 1 cup
All- Purpose Flour (Maida) – 1 cup
Baking Powder – 1/2 tsp
Salt – 1/2 tsp
Vanilla Essence – 1/2 tsp
Sugar – 1 tbsp

Oil – for deep flying
Powdered Sugar for garnish
Cinnamon Powder for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Egg, Milk and Vanilla Essence.
2. Sift together the Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt.
3. Add the Sugar into the dry ingredients.
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients a little at a time ensuring there are no lumps formed.
5. The consistency should be thin and add milk if needed.
6. Heat Oil for deep frying (approx 360 degrees F).
7. Using a finger, close the tip of the funnel and fill the funnel with the batter.
8. Release the finger from the tip of the funnel and in a circular motion allow the batter to flow into the Oil.
9. Fry until golden brown (approx 2 minutes).
10. With the help of tongs and a fork carefully turn the funnel cake over.
11. Allow the underside to cook for a couple of minutes.
12. Drain on paper towels for 1 minute and transfer to a plate.
13. Sprinkle generously with Powdered Sugar and Cinnamon Powder (optional).
14. Enjoy warm.

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58 thoughts on “Funnel Cake

    1. Hi girls! Same question. Ca this be made the prwevious day and still taste good. ThanksHow long can you

      1. Hi Colleen,
        It is best had fresh. You can make it ahead and heat it in the oven or toaster to try and make it crisp but having said that, we have always made it fresh.

  1. My son wanted these today, and I did not have eggs, and was too lazy to go out and buy some, so made ’em with 2 tbsp of powdered flax seed mixed in with a little water. I swear you can’t tell the difference from the recipe that uses eggs – and in fact when I googled it, I found recipes for vegan funnel cakes that called for flax seed as a substitute. So, yes, it works.

    1. Hi TGP,

      Wow! Thanks for sharing your feedback. We’re sure it will be very useful to our viewers who don’t eat eggs.

  2. Hi Hetal and Anuja,

    This is really an awesome recipe that is quite and tasty. But like a small variation to it, want to have a coconut taste it. Instead of milk, what if I add coconut milk to it …. will the cakes get burnt in oil ?

    Thanks,
    Revathi

  3. Hi Hetal & Anuja,
    A big thank for such an easy & fantastic recipe! I had never heard about Funnel cake before. But after watching your video, I felt that I must give it a try. And Voila!!! My 3yr old just loved it! He kept asking me for more!! Thank you! You made my day! 🙂

  4. Hi Hetal,

    This is truly a nice recipe. Just made for the evening movie time, and my daughter liked it. My teen-aged daughter started not liking my home-made cooking, somehow she liked this. Thanks to you both.

    Revathi

  5. HI,

    I don’t use eggs in cooking. But i don’t mind eating cake or cookies which already have egg. So my question here is, can i use pancake mix to make funnel cake ? Or is there any other way i can make them.

    Komal

    1. Hi Komal,

      When I was little, I loved to watch the vendors at fairs make funnel cakes. Because the batter looks so much like pancake batter and the taste is similar as well, I actually tried making them at home using pancake batter. Sadly, they did not come out at all. They were too soggy and absorbed way too much oil. Like you, I also do not enjoy the flavor of eggs but I don’t mind them in cakes and in things that I can’t taste them. If you don’t mind working with eggs, I promise you will not taste the egg in this recipe. We have not tried it without using eggs.

    1. Hi Suman,

      You could, but you would have a lemony flavored funnel cake :). I guess it would be okay if that is what you want.

  6. Hi,

    Very tempting. It resembles the tradional Indian “Pua” or “Gulgula”. Only difference is the funnel used to drop it in the hot oil for frying. Pua is dropped by hand or spoon like pakodas or vadas. Its so interesting to see some similarities in cultures thriving so far away from each other. Really enjoyed seeing your video. Will try it asap.

  7. Hey,can u pls let me know where can I find veggie hot dogs…and are they good for my 4 yr old daughter…or do u have any recipe for it…would appericiate that …thank you…

    1. Hi Alpa,

      Though we have never tried them, we have seen them at stores like Walmart (usually in the produce section where the dairy free cheeses and tofu are).

  8. i Hetal & Anjua,

    how is going? i cannot find funnel anywhere. i live in ca and i went to albertsons and big lots and could not find a funnel? can you let me know where did you buy it from?

    1. if you don’t have a funnel you can just use a regular large size ziplock bag and make it into a cone shape and cut the tip off and put the batter in it but it might be a little thinner depending upon how thick/thin you cut the bottom off..

    2. Hi Heba,

      We have had our funnel for a very long time so don’t remember where we got it. If you have a Walmart, check in the household goods/kitchen items aisle. Otherwise, like someone said, the dollar store.

      1. I have seen some store sell the funnel cake kit itself – consists of cake mix, funnel cake pitcher and another small container to sprinkle sugar. All for $6 or so.

  9. hi hetal and anuja, u guys are awesome, you reminded me of my old days when i was a kid went to carnivals and fairs and enjoyed the funnel cake.. love them cakes thanks so much for the recipe. one question can i substitute egg for flax seed powder. and how much quantity of flax seed powder i should mix with the recipe.

    thanks

    1. Hi Khushi,

      Though flaxseed powder works great on some things (like baking cakes), it is not a sure fire substitute for eggs. Having said that, we have not tried this recipe with flaxseed so are not sure if it will work. Please see some other viewer comments on alternate methods.

  10. hi Hetal & Anuja,

    thnaks for the nice recipe. i can use the regular sugar or i have to buy powdor sugar? can i buy that from any american store?

    thank you.

    1. Sweete,

      You have to use powder sugar and yes, it should be available in any american grocery stores (probably in baking aisle). It’s a common item.

    2. Hi Sweete,

      You have to use store bought powdered sugar for this recipe. You can find it in the baking aisle in most grocery stores.

  11. The recipie is realy testy and ofcourse simple.Cant we put the cake in suger syrup instead of spreying powederd sugar? A sort of gilebi like.

  12. Wow… Love you guys for this recipe…. I’ll definitely make it this weekend… Thank you so much… from me and my 3 kids

  13. This can be made with rice flour & no need to add eggs when making with either maida or rice flour, do add the fannel seeds.

  14. Interesting. I had never had funnel cakes until I met my SO.

    You see, around here sure there are state fairs but the big deals are the festivals. If you’re wondering, southern New England, RI to be specific.

    And the sweet thing you’ll find at the fairs, dougboys! Something about fried dough that you just can’t beat.

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