How to make your own delicious funnel cake

Have some fun. Set up a toppings bar so guests can decorate cakes as you fry them

THE FUNNEL CAKE — served under a mountain of powdered sugar and any of a number of toppings — is the stuff of fried food legend, and a trip to the fair, carnival or theme park isn’t complete without one.

For the uninitiated, a funnel cake is a thin cake or pastry batter, traditionally poured through a funnel into a pot of hot oil. As the batter hits the oil, it seemingly takes on a life of its own, squiggling or swirling into odd shapes as the oil bubbles up around it. In minutes, the batter is fried to a crisp golden shell, the inside soft and steamy.

Funnel cakes are commonly traced back to the Pennsylvania Dutch, though similar variations have been found the world over for centuries — cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros from Spain and Mexico, spiral-shaped pastries found in parts of Asia and North Africa, and cruller-type doughnuts in the United States, Germany and other European countries.

Fun as funnel cakes are to enjoy at the fair, the dessert can easily be made at home. It’s the perfect project if you’re looking for something to entertain company or kids — simply set up a toppings bar so guests can decorate their cakes as you fry them.

One thing to keep an eye out for is oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the cakes will burn on the outside before the centre has had a chance to fully cook; too cool, and the cakes will soak up the oil rather than frying in it. When the cakes are a rich golden colour, drain them on a rack and serve right away.

As for toppings, the sky’s the limit. Powdered sugar is a classic way to start. Then use summer fruit as an inspiration, topping the cake with a mound of macerated fresh berries, or go crazy with caramel sauce, chocolate or maple syrup. A scoop of ice cream provides a nice contrast to the hot cake, and I’ve seen funnel cake ice cream sandwiches.

You could even go the savoury route. Substitute French fries with funnel cake for a poutine-inspired meal, or skip the bun and reach for funnel cakes next time you’re craving a cheeseburger.

Just don’t forget the stack of napkins.

KIRK MCKOY, TNS Funnel cakes are made by pouring batter into hot cooking oil in a circular pattern and deep frying the overlapping mass until golden-brown. They are popular at carnivals, fairs, sporting events, and seaside resorts but you can make them at home.