Orange Funnel Cake with Powdered Cinnamon Sugar and Maple Syrup

By Stefano Coppola • August 5, 2011 • 3 Comments

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Author Notes: My favorite "Carnifood" is funnel cake. It reminds me of crispy pancake batter. This inspired me to treat the funnel cake as I would a pancake- by dousing it in MAPLE SYRUP! I also accomodated a few flavors which I believe play nicely with maple. Using the "Grade B" variety of maple syrup is key, as its strong maple flavor complements the orange and cinnamon also found in the recipe. - Stefano Coppola

Serves 10

1 cup Orange Juice
6 tablespoons Butter
1 tablespoon Sugar
pinches Salt
1 cup Flour
4 Large Eggs
2 Large Eggs, Whites Only
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1 tablespoon Cinnamon
1 1/2 cup Grade "B" Maple Syrup
Canola Oil, for frying

Boil o.j., butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan. Add flour and work it in until it is all incorporated and dough forms a ball. Transfer mixture to the bowl of a standing mixer and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes.
With the mixer on low, add eggs, 1 at a time, making sure the first egg is completely incorporated before continuing.
Once all eggs have been added and mixture is smooth, put dough in a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Or, cut the corner off of a deep freezer bag and use as you would a piping bag- just be sure to hold the opening closed with a paperclip or "chip clip" when filling the bag.
Heat 1 1/2-2 inches of oil in a heavy pan. Whisk together cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Pipe dough into oil, making a free-form, spiderweb pattern; cook until browned, flipping once. Remove cake from oil, drain on paper towels, and top with cinnamon-powdered sugar.
Drizzle with maple syrup, or dunk, if you prefer (as I do)!