Dutch region of United States is associated with its food spatiality of Funnel cake. Funnel cakes are famous due to their baking at special occasions, ballparks, fairs, and festivals. How to make funnel cake? Funnel cakes are obtained by pouring batter into the hot oil through a funnel directly into a rounded mold just about 6 ” to 8″ in diameter – engrossed in a specialized funnel cake fryer in a circular motion. As the dough fried in just about a ¼” diameter “pour,” the net of pummel is criss-crossed in texture within the circular diameter to figure a lattice which sticks together A golden brown funnel cake is obtained after deep frying of the batter. Funnel cake recipe involves powdered sugar, jam, or other topping.

Funnel cakes like other fried dough food provides empty calories. (Fat and carbohydrates with other nutritional value but in little amount). Many funnel cake recipes exists on the internet which comfort the consumers of funnel cake in order to make funnel cakes at their home. Outdoor carnivals, fairs, and seaside resorts are more popular for their offering in funnel cakes. Specially made pitcher and integral funnel-like spout is used in concession stands.

Funnel cake equipment:

The basic funnel cake maker consists of:

1. a large 5 gallon mixing container
2. a wire whisk
3. a half gallon pitcher  
4. a special funnel type pouring pitcher
5. the fork, spatula, circular strainer/lifting tool
6. the “sugaring pan”
7. the sugar sifter and
8. the lift-off ring mold which forms the funnel cake in your fryer.

Funnel cake mix contains different regional varieties but Pennsylvania Dutch Mix become favorite everywhere. It is the most consistent and best tasting mix because it yields more funnel cakes per bag and most of all absorbs less oil. The funnel cake fryer is not only for the use of frying funnel but also  work great for Frying Fish, Flower Onions, Elephant Ears, Fry Bread and Donuts. Funnel cake fryers can be the gas fryers or electronic fryer holding different varieties in size. However gas funnel fryer is considered to be the best option. Funnel cake fryer gas regulators are supplied with these fryers

Nutrition facts of funnel cake:

Amount per one cake

Calories       277.04

Calories from fat 129.83

Total fat                                                14.43g                                     22%

Saturated Fat                                        2.73g                                       14%

Polyunsaturated Fat                              6.33g

Monosaturated fat                                4.4g

Cholesterol                                           62.78mg                                   21%

Sodium                                                272.8mg                                   11%

Potassium                                             154.64mg                                 4%

Carbohydrates                                      29.16g                                     10%

Dietary fiber                                         0.911g                                     4%

Protein                                                 7.35g                                       15%

Alcohol                                                0g

Vitamin A                                                                                            4%

Vitamin C                                                                                             1%

Calcium                                                                                                13%

Iron                                                                                                      10%

Vitamin E                                                                                             8%

Vitamin D                                                                                             5%

Thiamin                                                                                                12%

Riboflavin                                                                                             16%

Niacin                                                                                                  9%

Folate                                                                                                   11%

Vitamin B-6                                                                                          3%

Vitamin B-12                                                                                        4%

Phosphorus                                                                                          14%

Magnesium                                                                                           4%

Zinc                                                                                                      4%

Copper                                                                                                            3%

According to medical search, creamy Funnel Cake supplies 600 to over 800 calories per serving.

Free funnel cake recipe is given below which is not even tasty but attractive in texture

1.      1 cup flour

2.      3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3.      1/4 teaspoon salt

4.      1 egg

5.      1 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

6.      2 tablespoons sugar

7.      Optional toppings: powdered sugar, granulated sugar,

8.      cinnamon, warmed apple or other fruit filling, ice cream, whipped cream, syrups

PREPARATION:

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl with wire whisk.
2. In another bowl, beat egg and milk. Add sugar, stir to dissolve. Add dry ingredients and (using electric mixer) beat until smooth.
3. Heat at least 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees F either in a deep fryer or a skillet.
4. To form each funnel cake, place one finger over hole in bottom of funnel. Carefully fill funnel with batter. Over hot oil remove finger and allow batter in go into oil.
5. Make circular or other shapes with batter. Cook for 1 minute and using tongs or two spatulas turn funnel cake. Cook until golden brown, about another minute or so.
6. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with sugar or use other toppings. Serve warm.