Super moist pumpkin cake infused with cinnamon and shaped into mini swirls of deep fried goodness. Drizzled with cinnamon glaze and dusted with a coating of powdered sugar. This is all in the making of some Mini Pumpkin Funnel Cakes!
Funnel Cakes aren’t just for summer time when you go to the State Fair…
These Mini Pumpkin Funnel Cakes are perfect for this Fall season!
You have all the tastes of Fall inside of these mini twisty bites of cake filled with cinnamon and pumpkin.
As I was pondering what to create for you all… I wanted my main ingredient to be pumpkin. Two reasons: I had some leftover pumpkin from when I made another batch of Pumpkin Snickerdoodles AND I love pumpkin. Simple as that.
But, then I wanted something deep fried, of course.
And, it came to me… funnel cakes! It took me many tries (four, to be exact) to perfect this recipe for you. I wanted the perfect balance of pumpkin and cinnamon. And, the texture had to be just right… light, airy, and most of all– moist.
It was finally time for Mr. Taste Tester, (aka, Gatlon: The Picky Teenager) to try these deep fried mini cake twists…. as he is drowning each bite into the bowl of Cinnamon Glaze! I knew then, it was a winner!
Making these are a breeze! I promise.
This is a one bowl and a spoon kind of batter. No need for any electrical mixers and attachments to be involved.
In a large mixing bowl, start by whisking together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the beaten egg, vanilla, milk, and pumpkin. Stir together until all combined. Do not over mix.
Now here comes the fun part!
Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet on medium heat. (Depending upon your skillet and stove, you may adjust the temperature a little higher or lower.)
I found that the peanut oil gave these more crisp and tasted better compared to using vegetable oil. But, you may use the vegetable oil instead.
Spoon some batter into a piping bag with a small to medium tip. (I used a Wilton size 32 tip. It is an opened star tip to give the funnel cakes a different outer edge texture and look.) TIP: If you do not have a pastry bag and/or a tip, you may use a plastic bag with one corner snipped. Make sure to cut the corner small so you can make it bigger if you need to. Put the batter in the bag and twist the top like you would a pastry bag.
Pipe the batter into the heated oil with a small circular pattern starting from the inside winding your way outwards. I made these to be about 3 inches wide.
Allow them to cook on each side for about 1 minute and a half. A total of about 3 minutes. Again, it also depends on how your pan heats up.
Use a spatula to lightly and carefully flip the funnel cakes over. If using tongs, place the tongs on the left and right of the frying batter– not from top to bottom. It will crush the top of the batter and not have a circular design on the top. Not to mention, a mess of wet batter all over one side of your tongs.
Drain onto some paper towels.
Now it’s time for the Cinnamon Glaze…
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Whisk in the milk. I used whole milk. Only because it’s the only milk my family loves.
Put a dusting of powdered sugar on top of your warm Mini Pumpkin Funnel Cake… then drizzle with the Cinnamon Glaze. Then, do a do-over and add even more!
Enjoy, my friends!
Makes about one dozen 3 inch sized mini funnel cakes. May be stored in a closed container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Batter:
- 1⅓ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅔ cup milk (I use whole milk. But any kind you like should be fine.)
- ⅓ cup, plus 1 tablespoon pureed pumpkin (canned)
- 2½ cups peanut oil for frying, may use vegetable oil. (I found the peanut oil taste better and was more crunchy on the outer edges.)
- Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar, and additional for dusting
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup milk
- In a large mixing bowl, start by whisking together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the beaten egg, vanilla, milk, and pumpkin. Stir together until all combined. Do not over mix. Remember, you only want to mix until you no longer see any flour.
- Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet on medium heat. (Depending upon your skillet and stove, you may adjust the temperature a little higher or lower.)
- Spoon some batter into a piping bag with a small to medium tip. OR you may use a plastic bag with one corner snipped without a tip. (I used a Wilton size 32 tip. It is an opened star tip to give the funnel cakes a different outer edge texture and look.)
- Pipe the batter into the heated oil with a small circular pattern starting from the inside winding your way outwards. I made these to be about 3 inches wide.
- Allow them to cook on each side for about 1 minute and a half. A total of about 3 minutes. Again, it also depends on how your pan heats up.
- Use a flat spatula to lightly and carefully flip the funnel cakes over. (If using tongs, place the tongs on the left and right of the frying batter– not from top to bottom.)
- Drain on paper towels.
- Glaze:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar and cinnamon.
- Whisk in the milk until all combined.
- Put a dusting of powdered sugar on top of your warm Mini Pumpkin Funnel Cake… then drizzle with the Cinnamon Glaze.
- Enjoy!
These Mini Pumpkin Funnel Cakes are shared and linked up to party with {A Little Clairification} & {Little Miss Celebration} & {Cooking With Curls} & {This Gal Cooks} & {the Best Blog Recipes} & {An Allie Event}
Cindy Eikenberg says
Whoa…..it’s like a summer fair that has been transformed into fall! Such a great idea, Gloria, and they look amazing! So excited to have another great pumpkin recipe for my list! Thanks for sharing – pinning and buffering! Hope you have have a happy Thursday!
Cindy Eikenberg recently posted…A Trick For A Treat Halloween Wreath
Gloria says
I simply can’t get enough of pumpkin. I’m glad you like it too, Cindy! (=
Tahnycooks says
Oh my flipping goodness!!!! These would be so dangerous to have around me!! If I was at your house I would do some crazy football tackles on your boys to reach these and take all these in a corner with me and NOT share a single bite with anyone. Yes, I would be that crazy!
I call my son Mr. Taste Tester too! I love that they only drink whole milk!
Tahnycooks recently posted…Spiced Chai Snickerdoodle Snap Cookies
Gloria says
You just made me laugh right out loud, Tahny! (=
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
Oh my these look soooo good! Send some my way ;).
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg recently posted…Stuffed Squash (Mahshi)
Gloria says
Thank you so much, Norma!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
Mouthwatering! These look so good, Gloria!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks recently posted…Jalapeno Cheddar Burgers
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Absolutely loving this idea, pinning to my pumpkin board – thanks for sharing!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl recently posted…Sweet Pepper Soup
Gloria says
Thank you, Pamela!
Gloria recently posted…Quick And Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
oh my gosh, these sound amazing!!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting recently posted…Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Frosting
Kelly says
These look stunning Gloria!!! Love love love funnel cakes and these mini pumpkin ones look absolutely mouthwatering! Pinned!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I absolutely LOVE pumpkin. Having it fried up! oh la la!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet recently posted…simple apple compote
Gloria says
I can’t help it, I think I’m addicted to fried goodies/sweets! Thanks Nancy!
Happy Valley Chow says
oh my goodness those look delicious! What a fantastic and creative recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Happy Valley Chow recently posted…Nacho Burger
Ciara @Teaspoon of Life says
One of my blog friends shared this and I thought this looked so good, I am excited to try this but
Who doesn’t love pumpkin and deep fried treats! 🙂
Ciara @Teaspoon of Life recently posted…Breakfast Baked Potato
Gloria says
So true, Ciara! Thank you! (=
Megan I The Emotional Baker says
I’ve never made funnel cakes, but now I want to, especially with pumpkin!
Megan I The Emotional Baker recently posted…Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
Gloria says
You’ll love them…super easy. Thank you, Megan!
Gloria recently posted…Quick And Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Marcie says
I’ve never had a funnel cake (yes, I am from this planet)! Don’t ask me why because I don’t know. Something tells me I’d love this pumpkin version more than any other. I love moist pumpkin cake!
Marcie recently posted…French Apple Cake
Diane {Created by Diane} says
just one more reason to LOVE funnel cake….Pumpkin 🙂 love how cute they are!
Gloria says
Thank you, Diane!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Best funnel cakes ever!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted…Tofu Soba Noodles
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
I can’t remember the last time I had funnel cake. And I love it! I have to try making it at home. And when I do? It will definitely be a pumpkin version. This recipe is such a great idea!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted…October Days. ☀
Gloria says
You’ll love these for sure, Sally. They’re right up your alley! (=
tanya says
Deep fried pumpkin flavored dough, it really doesn’t get any better than this Gloria!
tanya recently posted…Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wrap
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I need these funnel cakes in my life! Another awesome creation Gloria. 🙂
My husband and I went to a fair a couple of weeks ago and got a funnel cake but it didn’t look nearly as nice as yours.
Tina @ Tina’s Chic Corner recently posted…Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
Gloria says
Tina, you are so sweet. Thank you!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
These bring back memories for me when I was a teenager at Great America (amusement park). I always ordered their funnel cakes. I love the pumpkin twist of this Gloria. Such a wonderful idea for fall and it looks delicious too! 🙂
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted…Apple Biscoff Streusel Bread
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says
Gloria these look delicious! My family would love these! I bet they smell amazing while they are cooking too! Beautiful pictures:)
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} recently posted…Stock Your Freezer Fridays {Week #3}
Aida @ TheCraftingFoodie says
Gloria, these look so good! Nothing like a warm treat on a cool fall day. My daughters love doughnuts, so they’d probably go for funnel cakes as well. And I love, love that everything can be mixed by hand. It just makes the whole process seem easier!
Aida @ TheCraftingFoodie recently posted…Flaky Apple Turnovers Made with Homemade Puff Pastry
Gloria says
Mixing everything in one bowl makes it so much easier…agree! Your daughters would love these. They’re super fun for kiddos! Thank you, Aida! (=
Lisa @ Cooking with Curls says
Oh Yum! Those look amazing Gloria. I guess I won’t be putting the deep fryer away any time soon. 😉 Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend. They have been pinned to our party board and I am sharing on facebook this afternoon! I can’t wait to see what delicious treats you share this week. 🙂
Lisa @ Cooking with Curls recently posted…2 Year Blog Anniversary Celebration and Amazon Giveaway
Gloria says
I’m with ya on the deep fryer. I find myself frying more foods than I can keep track of! Thank you for sharing these, Lisa! xo
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Pumpkin Funnel Cakes!! LOVE this Gloria! Just too gorgeous for words! Pinned this one 🙂
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Le Creuset 5 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set Giveaway!!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Hi Gloria! Just popping in again to thank you so much for sharing your beautiful funnel cakes at Best of the Weekend and I wanted to tell you that I’ll be featuring them at tomorrow’s party! 🙂 Can’t wait to put them in the spotlight! Have a happy Thursday!
Cindy Eikenberg recently posted…Paper Mache Pumpkin & Witch Hat
Gloria says
Yay!!! Thank you so much, Cindy! Can’t wait to head over when the party starts!
Catherine says
Dear Gloria, These funnel cakes look irresistible. There are so many recipes I’m eager to try for the fall, this recipe is definitely on my list. Will be pinning. Have a blessed day my dear, Catherine
Catherine recently posted…Crumb Topped Pear Pie
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin. says
I’ve always wanted to make funnel cakes because I can’t get to carnivals and amusement parks as often as I’d like. I’m definitely pinning and hopefully trying later. Thanks for linking up to Weekend re-Treat Link Party
Britni
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin. recently posted…Giveaway Winner + A Reality Check
Gloria says
Thanks, Britni! You’ll love how easy these are to make! I’m actually thinking of making these out in the driveway for the Trick-or-Treaters and the parents. Because, they cook up so fast! Have a great weekend!
AnnMarie says
I see that 798 other people think these are luscious sounding….pinned! Visiting from The Weekend re-Treat!
Paula@SweetPea says
Yum! These look so good. Thanks for sharing with this week’s Throwback Thursday party.
Paula@SweetPea recently posted…Thanksgiving Appetizer Idea–Baked Pimento Cheese Dip