Funnel cake facts for kids
Funnel cake with little toppings.
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| Alternative names | Funnel Fries, carnival cake |
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| Type | Doughnut |
| Region or state | North America |
| Main ingredients | Batter, cooking oil |
Funnel cake is a yummy sweet treat that's super popular in North America, especially at fun places like carnivals and amusement parks! In Pennsylvania German, it's called Drechderkuche.
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The Story of Funnel Cake
Funnel cake has a really old history! It started way back in the medieval Persian world (that's modern-day Iran) where people made similar fried dough treats. These ideas then traveled to Europe.
Later, people called Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants brought a version of this dish, known as Drechderkuche, to America. Around 1879, they changed the recipe a bit, using baking powder instead of yeast, and that's when it got its famous name: funnel cake!
How Funnel Cakes Are Made
Making a funnel cake is pretty cool! First, you make a special batter, kind of like pancake batter. Then, you pour this batter into really hot cooking oil.
The trick is to pour it in a circular, overlapping pattern. Often, people use a funnel to pour the batter. This creates the unique criss-cross shape and gives the cake its name. The batter fries until it's golden-brown and crispy.
Funnel cakes are usually served with a dusting of powdered sugar. But you can add lots of other yummy toppings too! Some popular choices are jam or jelly, cinnamon, chocolate sauce, or fresh fruit.
Funnel Cake Around the World
Did you know that similar fried dough treats are enjoyed in many other parts of the world?
In Europe
In southern German cuisine, there's a treat called Strauben or Strieble. It's made and served in a similar way to funnel cake.
In Finnish cuisine, they have tippaleipä, which means "droplet bread." It's a traditional treat for May Day celebrations. In Lithuania, a similar dish is called skruzdėlynas, meaning "ant nest."
In Asia
In India, there's a dessert called jalebi. It's similar but has a crunchy, sugary coating. In Iran, this treat is known as zulbia. These Asian versions don't use baking powder, so they have a slightly chewy texture.
In the Philippines, the Maguindanao people make a doughnut called Kumukunsi. It's made from rice flour, duck eggs, and sugar. The dough is shaped into rope-like strands and then fried in a spiral.
In North America
Funnel cakes were first linked to Pennsylvania Dutch Country in North America. They were one of the first fried foods brought by German immigrants to Pennsylvania centuries ago.
Today, funnel cakes are a favorite food found at amusement parks and fairs all across the country. The name "funnel" comes from the way the batter is poured through a funnel into the hot oil.
See also
In Spanish: Funnel cake para niños
