Funnel cake is one of those weird treats that Americans can’t get enough of but is pretty foreign to those overseas. There is something about the smell of the fried batter and powdered sugar that makes people nostalgic – so much so that it creates a desire to make it at home.
But, what if you only ever use pancake mix to create the batter. Can you make funnel cake with pancake mix? Check out the list of the best Squeeze Bottles for your funnel cake on Amazon now!
How To Make Funnel Cake With Pancake Mix
You might think that a pancake mix wouldn’t be suitable for making funnel cake. However, there are ways that you can modify pancake batter and use a store-bought pancake mix to create the mix necessary for funnel cake. This can make things a lot easier if you only have certain ingredients available at home or if you want to get a bit creative for some spontaneous baking. As long as you are careful with your measurements and prepared to play around, you can have a lot of fun and create some great funnel cake.
List of ingredients:
- 1 cup of pancake mix
- half a cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- A pinch of salt
- A teaspoon of vanilla extract
1) Get your ingredients together.
The Pancake mix of your choice is the best place to start. But, you will also need eggs, oil, sugar, and milk. Some people also add salt and vanilla to enhance the flavor. If you want to forgo the eggs and stick with water for a fully vegan option then you can, but only if you are sure that the mix is also vegan.
2) Mix everything into a thin batter.
Combine 1 cup of the pancake mix with a tablespoon of sugar, then beat in a couple of eggs as required and mix in a cup of milk or water. You can then add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whip it up – either by hand or in a mixer – until nice and smooth.
3) Once smooth, “funnel” the batter into the hot oil.
This is where funnel cake gets its name. The strands of crispy fried batter and funnels are created by funneling the batter into the oil for quick and even results. The funnel should allow for a small enough opening for the thin strands but easy access for all batter in the top. Some home-cooks recommend trying a squeezy bottle instead but this might be a little more difficult. Check out the list of the best Squeeze Bottles for your funnel cake on Amazon now!
4) Once golden brown, transfer the cake to a plate and enjoy.
Once your batter is cooked, you can then plate up and add the topping of your choice. Some people like to go simple and classic here with powdered sugar and cinnamon, as this reminds them of time spent at the fair. You could also add sauces and all kinds of other treats. A little salted caramel sauce could raise the luxury feel for a more grown-up treat.
Is Funnel Cake Made From Pancake Batter?
First of all, funnel cake isn’t really a cake at all. It is a cake in as much as it is a dessert. But, you are just frying batter in hot oil like you might donuts or churros. There are lots of people that make funnel cake at home using a recipe more like pancake batter. In fact, many will use store-bought pancake mix to make things easier.
Is Pancake Batter The Same As Cake Batter?
Before making anything with a substitute mix or ingredient, it is important to understand the difference between pancake and cake mix. When we make the cake batter, we typically create a thick batter with self-raising flour, eggs, butter (or vegetarian margarine), and sugar. Pancake batter is different because you create a much thinner batter with flour, eggs, and milk. This creates the denser pancake and the sweetness comes from toppings instead.
Is Pancake Mix The Same As Cake Mix? Can I Use Pancake Mix For Batter?
Pancake mix is a little different from cake mix or cake batter. You get a store-bought mixture of flour and raising agents that you mix with water to create the batter. It is possible to use pancake mix as an ingredient for the funnel cake batter.
Can I Use Pancake Mix Instead Of Flour?
One way of using pancake mix in a cake mixture – for funnel cake or for some other creation – is to exchange it for flour. You might not get the same fluffy results that you would if you used normal self-raising flour. But, you can still get some tasty results. This is why the right pancake mixture – either from scratch or from a pancake mix – can really make a difference.
Can I Use Milk Instead Of Water In Pancake Mix?
Yes. In fact, it is much better to use milk than water because of the results that you can achieve. Water is the common ingredient mentioned on packets because we associate the “just add water” line with convenience. However, water is so thin and tasteless that it doesn’t add much to the pancakes. Milk offers more body and creaminess for a nicer texture and more luxurious pancakes. Also, there are plenty of non-dairy kinds of milk that work just as well if you are vegan or lactose intolerant
Conclusion
In short, it is possible to create a version of funnel cake at home with any spare pancake mix you have lying around. If you want to keep things simple you can add little else other than water and see how the batter cooks in the hot oil. Or you can enhance the batter with milk and other flavorings. Of course, you can always try making your batter from scratch. Whichever approach you take, be careful around the hot oil and have fun recreating the smell and taste of the fair.
