Fun with Funnel Cakes!
Make mini funnel cakes by piping batter onto a baking sheet and baking them, then dust with powdered sugar and fruit, with adult supervision.
Step-by-step guide to make mini funnel cakes
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2
Line the baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper.
Step 3
Lightly grease the parchment paper with a little vegetable oil or cooking spray.
Step 4
Measure 1 cup of flour 2 tablespoons of sugar 1 teaspoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt into the mixing bowl.
Step 5
Stir the dry ingredients together until they look evenly mixed.
Step 6
Crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk in 1 cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until blended.
Step 7
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.
Step 8
Spoon the batter into the squeeze bottle or into the zip-top bag and seal it tight.
Step 9
Pipe small spiral shapes about 3 inches across onto the parchment leaving space between each one.
Step 10
Bake the mini funnel cakes in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden.
Step 11
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the funnel cakes cool on the sheet for 2 minutes.
Step 12
Dust the cooled funnel cakes with powdered sugar and top each one with fresh fruit.
Step 13
Share a photo of your finished mini funnel cakes on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a squeeze bottle or a zip-top bag to pipe the batter?
If you don't have a squeeze bottle or zip-top bag to pipe small 3-inch spirals onto the parchment, spoon the batter from two spoons to drizzle spirals or use a clean plastic ketchup/bistro bottle or a disposable piping bag with a cut tip to control the flow.
Why are my spirals spreading and not holding their shape, and how do I fix it?
If your piped shapes spread, it's usually because the batter from step 7 is too thin or the parchment was greased too heavily, so thicken the batter with 1–2 tablespoons more flour, wipe excess oil from the parchment, and chill the batter 10–15 minutes before piping.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For toddlers let them whisk the milk/egg/vanilla and dust cooled funnel cakes with powdered sugar, elementary kids can measure ingredients and pipe the 3-inch spirals with a zip-top bag, and teens can handle baking at 375°F, tweak flavors, and upload the photo to DIY.org with supervision as needed.
How can we extend or personalize the mini funnel cakes beyond the basic recipe?
To personalize, add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or 2 tablespoons cocoa to the dry ingredients, stir in mashed banana or food coloring to the wet mix before step 7, and finish as instructed with powdered sugar, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, or sprinkles for different flavors and looks.
Watch videos on how to make mini funnel cakes
HOW TO MAKE FUNNEL CAKE! THE EASY WAY!
3 Videos
HOW TO MAKE FUNNEL CAKE! THE EASY WAY!
Homemade Funnel Cake Recipe » County Fair Carnival Style
How To Make Funnel Cakes At Home (So Easy!)
Facts about baking for kids
🎡 Funnel cakes became a popular fair and carnival treat in the United States thanks to Pennsylvania Dutch cooks.
🔥 Traditionally funnel cakes are deep-fried — baking mini funnel cakes is a kid-friendly, lower-oil twist perfect for home kitchens.
🥣 The batter for funnel cakes is very similar to pancake batter: flour, eggs, milk (and a little sugar) — easy to whip up by hand.
🍓 Topping funnel cakes with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries adds bright color, natural sweetness, and vitamin C.
❄️ Icing (confectioners') sugar is super fine so it dusts evenly and melts on warm pancakes or mini funnel cakes for a pretty finish.
