Bring the carnival home with these sickly sweet funnel cake recipes

As summer gets closer & closer, we can’t help but dream about that delicious, crunchy carnival treat: funnel cakes. This powdered sugared marvel is a perfect treat for anyone out ready to conquer the games or make a memory perfect for a rom-com up on the Ferris Wheel. 

These delectable treats are amazing, so why wait until the carnival comes to town? With thousands of easy recipes to choose from, you can make these amazing funnel cakes at home. 

Luckily, we munched through the internet and found the best funnel cake recipes that’ll bring this classic to new heights! Grab your tickets and let’s get cooking! 

S’mores Funnel Cake 

This first addition to our list of funnel cake recipes combines two amazing summer classics! 

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1-1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 graham crackers – crushed for the batter
• *Oil for frying depends on your skillet size and the type of oil.
• 1/4 cup confectioners sugar for dusting
• 8 oz hot fudge – warm
• 8 oz marshmallow creme – warm & melted
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
• 2 graham crackers – crushed for topping

Instructions 

1. Add dry ingredients into a large bowl. 
2. Add in eggs, milk, and vanilla – whisk until fully combined and there are very little lumps. 
3. Whisk in crushed graham crackers
4. In a large skillet or short stockpot, add about 1/2 inch oil & heat to 350 degrees –  watch closely! 
5. Transfer batter into a funnel bottle.
6. Once the oil has reached frying temperature, pour batter into a funnel cake pattern and try to keep it somewhat circular.
7. Allow to fry thirty to sixty seconds or until golden brown – flip & cook the other side the same. 
8. Once both sides are done cooking use tongs to remove & place immediately on a wire rack to drain off the oil. 
9. Continue with the remaining batter. 
10. Once complete, dust each cake with confectioners sugar, top with hot fudge, marshmallow cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows & more graham crackers. 

Strawberry Shortcake Funnel Cake 

Want to add a little fruit to your funnel cake? This next addition to our list of funnel cake recipes is for you! 

Ingredients for the cakes 

• 4 cups vegetable or canola oil for frying
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Ingredients for the garnish 

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla Ice Cream or another flavor like strawberry
• Macerated Strawberries (2 cups sliced strawberries tossed with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar)
• Whipped Cream
• Confectioner’s sugar

Instructions 

1. Heat oil in a pot to about 375 degrees.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl until combined.
3. Next whisk in wet ingredients: milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until the batter is nice & smooth.
4. Add the batter to a funnel, squeeze bottle, or even a cake decorating piping bag with a round tip.
5. Once the oil is nice & hot, swirl batter in a spiral shape (have fun with this part) into the oil and fry. Turn over once the first side is nice and golden brown.
6. Once both sides are golden brown, remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain. 
7. Immediately cover with powdered sugar, ice cream, strawberries, and whipped cream and serve.

Caramel Apple Funnel Cake 

This last addition to our list of funnel cake recipes adds a nice mix of sticky sweetness that’ll have you wanting more! 

Ingredients for caramel sauce 

• 5/8 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Ingredients for the funnel cake 

• Neutral oil for frying
• 2 tablespoons butter, salted or unsalted
• 2 small-medium Granny Smith apples, cored and diced, approximately 2 cups 
•  1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, divided
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vanilla ice cream for serving 

Instructions 

1. Preheat a deep fat fryer or oil at least two inches deep in a heavy-bottomed pan to 375 degrees.
2. To make the caramel sauce: Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Raise to medium-high heat and cook until it reaches a medium to dark amber color, shaking and/or swirling the pan often to ensure even cooking. Remove from heat and slowly pour in the cream. Stir until combined. 
3. If there are any clumps, return to medium heat and stir until they have dissolved, then remove from heat. Set aside.
4. In a medium sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and sauté for three to five minutes or until softened. 
5. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and pulse just a few seconds until crumbled.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract.
8. Combine the wet & dry ingredients and stir until fully combined & smooth.
9. Using a liquid measuring cup, kitchen funnel, or piping bag with a large round tip, drizzle 1/2 cup of batter into the oil in swirling and crisis-crossing motions. Fry for one to two minutes, then flip, using tongs, and fry another one to two minutes until golden brown. Remove from oil and repeat with remaining batter.
10. To serve: Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, apple topping, and drizzle with caramel sauce.

—

Have any other great funnel cake recipes? Drop them below in the comments to keep this carnival going!