The Obvious Origin Of Funnel Cake's Name

What are carnivals and county fairs without fried dough? The irresistible aroma of sugary treats fills the air with sweet cheerfulness that reminds us of happy times. Funnel cakes are an indispensable part of the experience. For those who may struggle to tell the difference between elephant ears and funnel cakes, funnel cake is golden-fried dough in a kind of lattice shape sprinkled with powdered sugar. It has a history as rich as its taste but the same cannot be said about funnel cake's nomenclature. In fact, it's as obvious as can be. 

Funnel cake's name can be attributed to the utensil cooks use to give it a distinctive lattice design. As you have probably guessed by now, it is none other than, drumroll, the funnel. Funnel cakes are made by pouring liquid cake batter into hot oil through a funnel. Needless to say, it wouldn't be a funnel cake without the funnel. People preparing the cakes pour the batter into oil to form circular patterns. Funnel cakes look somewhat chaotic but that is the whole point. While powdered sugar is the standard topping, people also add berries, homemade whipped cream, syrups, and myriad foods.