Funnel Cakes & Fried Twinkies
Yes. We’re serious. First, funnel cakes are relatively easy to make and there isn’t a normal soul who will ever turn down a few bites of a funnel cake. In fact, you should probably look suspiciously on anyone who turns down just one bite of a funnel cake. As for fried Twinkies, I realize Classics like myself and Funs would look suspiciously on anyone who’d actually buy or eat — let alone make — one of these. But, I ignored my better judgement when I came face to face with a fried Twinkie at an Indians game. I took a bite and it was like eating a cloud in heaven. Transcendental.
I think there were harps playing in the background as I chewed my first bite of this delicacy and I HATE Twinkies. I don’t know why I ever pooh-poohed the idea of a deep-fried Twinkie. Who was the brilliant genius who decided to first deep-fry a Twinkie? Likely an Organic Freedom or a Smart Freedom. 
They’re usually the souls who dare to dream beyond what is or what should be. Now, in defense of serving funnel cakes or fried Twinkies at a summer party. High-end restaurants all over Manhattan serve doughnuts as dessert these days. It’s only a matter of time before funnel cakes and fried Twinkies follow molten chocolate cakes on their menus.
I feature recipes for both funnel cakes and fried Twinkies. Also, if you don’t have or want a deep fryer, I’ve used an asparagus pot with a meat thermometer. The funnel cake recipe is from Kraft. They surprisingly have a LOT of good recipes. It’s a good resource if you’re ever looking for family friendly recipes or Jell-O mold recipes. The recipe for fried Twinkies comes from this website called Fried Twinkies and it’s a promotional website for a book that looks fabulous: Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders — A Year Inside the Professional Bull Riders Circuit. Let the beach reading begin!
Funnel Cakes
By Kraft
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Calumet Baking Powder (clearly Calumet is owned by Kraft)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- Oil, for frying
- 1/4 powdered sugar
Directions:
SIFT flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into large mixing bowl; set aside. Beat eggs, milk and vanilla in bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add to flour mixture; mix well.
HEAT oil to 375°F in large saucepan or deep fryer. Slowly pour 1/4 cup of the batter into hot oil in a free-form lattice pattern. Cook 30 sec. on each side or until golden brown on both sides. Drain funnel cake on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter, allowing oil to return to 375°F between batches.
Top with powdered sugar while still hot.
Fried Twinkies
by friedtwinkies.com
Ingredients
- 6 Twinkies
- Popsicle sticks
- 4 cups vegetable oil
- Flour for dusting
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Chill or freeze Twinkies for several hours or overnight.
2. Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in deep fryer to about 375 degrees—this is a note from Pixie Kelly: if you don’t have a deep fryer, sometimes those tall narrow asparagus pans complete with cage do a nice double.
3. Mix together milk, vinegar and oil.
4. In another bowl, blend flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Whisk wet ingredients into dry and continue mixing until smooth. Refrigerate while oil heats.
6. Push stick into Twinkie lengthwise, leaving about 2 inches to use as a handle, dust with flour and dip into the batter. Rotate Twinkie until batter covers entire cake.
7. Place carefully in hot oil. The Twinkie will float, so hold it under with a utensil to ensure even browning. It should turn golden in 3 to 4 minutes. Depending on the size of your deep fryer, you might be able to fry only one at a time, two at the most.
8. Remove Twinkie to paper towel and let drain. Remove stick and allow Twinkie to sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6.
Variation: For best results, dust Twinkies with powered sugar and chocolate