Funnel pie is a Pennsylvania Dutch dessert made by frying unleavened pie batter through a funnel in hot shortening. It is a popular treat at carnivals and fairs and has become a popular fundraising item for charitable and non-profit groups.
Funnel pie is an Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch dessert created by frying unleavened or unleavened pie batter in hot shortening. The batter is dispensed through a funnel or container with a funnel-shaped spout. It is generally formed by making circular and lattice-like movements over the hot fat. When one side turns golden brown, it is carefully flipped over and left to finish cooking. The completed funnel cake is then drained onto paper and covered in honey, powdered sugar, chocolate syrup or a variety of fruit toppings.
The traditional funnel cake began as a regional dish prepared by the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish communities living primarily in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. It was often prepared for special occasions, such as harvest festivals or German holidays. Visitors to Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch restaurants were often introduced to dessert items. Popularity grew as word of this simple dessert reached larger Midwestern cities, such as Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
While there are numerous funnel cake recipes for home use, most people only experience the phenomenon at carnivals, fairs, and other outdoor events with concession stands. The basic batter can be purchased in bulk at concession supply stores, along with the shortener, funnel shape, and fryer tub. Commercial concession stands may also offer fruit toppings, whipped cream, or chocolate-honey syrup vending machines.
The batter used to form a funnel cake does not contain baking soda or baking powder, which prevents it from rising as it cooks in the air fryer. The end result is a lightly crunchy cake with a distinctive donut-like texture. The remaining oil allows powdered sugar or other toppings to adhere to the surface of the cake, but eating one can be a messy experience. Many enthusiasts use a knife and fork to cut the treat into more manageable pieces.
In recent years, several specialty stores have begun offering funnel cake franchises as a means to raise money or provide side income. These companies offer interested groups and individuals all the starter equipment and specialist batter mixes to get their booths started at local public shows and events. Because the cost of the batter, shortening, and other ingredients is relatively low, a vendor can quickly earn a profit after just a few sales. Funnel cake name recognition alone can drive traffic to the concession stands that offer it. Selling them as a fundraising effort has become popular with many charitable and non-profit groups.
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