Make Funnel Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches This Spring

Funnel Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches
Dara Pollack/Thrillist
Dara Pollack/Thrillist

This recipe is what happens when you have a craving for fried fair food and can't decide between funnel cake or fried Oreos. You make a combo of the two, add ice cream, and pat yourself on the back for being such a savage. At least that’s what I did.

These funnel cakes are slightly doughier than your standard funnel cake to support the weight of the ice cream, and crushed-up Oreos with powdered sugar, or "Oreo sugar" as I like to call it, will be your new favorite thing. Plus, powdered sugar is the traditional topping for funnel cakes, so this just makes sense. Top them with any ice cream you like -- I used a classic vanilla bean.

You can see more of my ridiculous food creations -- like these red velvet chocolate chip cookie sandwiches -- on TheSkinnyPigNYC.com and on Instagram (@skinnypignyc).

Funnel Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches
Dara Pollack/Thrillist

Funnel Cake Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

Total Time: 35<span> minutes
Yield: 16 funnel cakes, so 8 sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup milk (I used 2%)
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 8 Oreos, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • Your favorite vanilla ice cream
DIRECTIONS:
  • Place the Oreos in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin or the back of a heavy spoon. Add the powdered sugar and mix together. Set aside. 
  • Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan or deep fryer. Oil should reach about 375 on a candy thermometer. To test, drop in a dollop of the batter. If it fizzles immediately and floats to the top, your oil is hot and ready to fry.
  • In a stand mixer or large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and stir together to combine with a spoon.
  • Add the wet ingredients and put the mixer on medium speed until a semi-thick batter is formed. You can also use a hand mixer if you don't have a stand mixer.
  • If you have a funnel, use it. If you don't, you can use a ¼-cup measuring cup to make the cakes. The key to a good funnel cake is getting the batter close to the oil. Be careful, but don't be afraid -- these don't spatter when they hit the oil. You should hold the funnel or measuring cup a couple inches away from the hot oil and pour in a steady stream, making circles from the outside in. Fry for 30 seconds or so and flip. They should be golden brown and be advised that they fry up quickly.
  • Remove from the hot oil with tongs or slotted spoon (gently, as these are a semi-fragile treat) and put on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle immediately with the Oreo sugar.
  • Take one funnel cake and top with your favorite vanilla ice cream (any flavor, really) and close the sandwich with another funnel cake. Sprinkle with more Oreo sugar and serve!
Funnel Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches
Dara Pollack/Thrillist

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Dara Pollak is a freelance writer and recipe creator. She likes her pasta with a side of bacon. Follow her at @theskinnypignyc.