Funnel cakes date back as far as 1879 and are believed to have made their way to America when German immigrants transported their recipes.
We can find these delicious treats at carnivals and amusement parks and consist of a batter, which is usually poured through a funnel in a circular motion to get their shape. They are typically served with toppings such as syrups, fruit, and spices such as cinnamon and/or sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar.
Funnel Cake Bites
Ingredients
- vegetable oil or shortening for frying
- 2½ cups Bisquick
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1½ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp salted butter (melted)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- cinnamon sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a frying pan, add vegetable oil or shortening at least 3 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. You will need the oil to reach a temperature of 375°F for frying the funnel cake bites. Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature.
- While the oil is heating, sift together two and one-half cups of Bisquick, two tablespoons of granulated sugar, and one-quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat two eggs until foamy using an electric mixer.
- Add in one-half cup of heavy cream, one and one-half cups of milk, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, four tablespoons of melted butter, and two tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir together until well combined.
- Scoop a tablespoon or two of batter into the heated oil. The batter will puff up and brown on the bottom. Flip it over and brown on the other side.
- Place cooked funnel cake bites on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Sprinkle cooled funnel cake bites with cinnamon sugar and serve immediately.
Summer Fun Funnel Cake
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- oil for deep-fat frying
- confectioners' sugar (for dusting)
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Heat oil to 375°F in a deep-fryer or a large skillet.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat two eggs until frothy. Add one cup of milk, one cup of water, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until well blended.
- Add three cups of Bisquick, and one-quarter cup of sugar. Whisk until smooth.
- Carefully scoop one-half cup of batter into a funnel. Move the funnel in a spiral motion until all the batter has flowed out. (If you don’t own a funnel, you can also use a plastic bag. Just pour the batter into the bag and cut the end of where the batter will pour out).
- Fry for three to five minutes on each side or until golden brown, using a slotted spoon to flip once.
- Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar and a sprinkling of rainbow sprinkles.
- Repeat steps four to six with the remaining batter.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Apple Caramel Funnel Cake
Ingredients
Funnel Cake
- 2 cups Bisquick
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple sauce
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- vegetable oil (for frying)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp corn syrup
- 6 tbsp butter (cubed)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
Topping
- confectioners' sugar
- apple pie filling
- vanilla ice cream
- caramel sauce
Instructions
Funnel Cake
- Sift together two cups of Bisquick, and one teaspoon of cinnamon in a medium-size mixing bowl until combined
- In a separate bowl with a mixer, combine three-quarters of a cup of coconut milk, two eggs, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, one-half cup of applesauce, and one-quarter of a cup of granulated sugar. Mix until fully combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well blended.
- Scoop batter into a squeeze bottle or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large skillet until it reaches 375°F.
- Pipe batter into the oil, making a funnel cake shape.
- Fry cake for 30 seconds on each side, or until golden brown. Flip, so both sides fry evenly.
- Remove cakes from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Caramel Sauce
- Place one cup of granulated sugar, one-quarter cup of water, and one teaspoon of corn syrup into a large non-stick saucepan. Stir until combined.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and bubbles, stirring constantly for approximately four minutes.
- Once the sugar boils, it will turn a deep amber color, usually, after ten minutes. Keep stirring as the sugar can easily burn and you would have to start over again.
- Add six cubes of butter and stir constantly using a wooden spoon until melted and combined.
- Remove the pot from the heat and slowly add one-half cup of heavy cream while stirring vigorously. Stir in one teaspoon of vanilla.
- Let the caramel cool before storing.
- Top the funnel cakes with powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling, and caramel sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!