Crispy golden lacy cakes (Printer-friendly)

Tender, golden, and lacy fried cakes dusted with sugar, perfect for sharing and sweet indulgence.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 1/2 cups whole milk
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Frying & Serving

08 - Vegetable oil, about 1 quart for frying
09 - Powdered sugar for dusting

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Beat eggs in a separate bowl, then whisk in milk and vanilla extract.
03 - Gradually incorporate wet ingredients into dry, whisking until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with a splash of milk if necessary.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of 2 inches and heat to 375°F.
05 - Place about 1/2 cup batter into a funnel or squeeze bottle, cover the spout, then swirl batter over hot oil in a lacy pattern. Fry each side 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
06 - Remove cakes using tongs and drain on paper towels.
07 - Dust warm funnel cakes generously with powdered sugar before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for unexpected cravings or last-minute gatherings.
  • The batter is forgiving enough that even your first attempt will taste like it came straight from a carnival.
  • Everyone loves watching them cook—there's something theatrical about pouring batter through a funnel that keeps people hovering around the stove.
02 -
  • Oil temperature makes or breaks this recipe—if it's not hot enough, you'll end up with soggy cakes that absorb oil instead of frying; invest in a cheap thermometer if you don't have one.
  • The batter won't stay perfect all day; it's best used within an hour of mixing, or the baking powder starts to lose its lift.
  • Don't be shy with the powdered sugar dusting—it's part of the charm and the flavor, not just decoration.
03 -
  • Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to nail the oil temperature—it's the single biggest factor in whether these turn out crispy or greasy.
  • Double-check your batter consistency by pouring a tiny test stream into the oil; if it immediately sinks and spreads into lace, you've got it right.
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