Happy Fasnacht Day!!!!

Today, my friends, was Fasnacht Day here in Berks County and other surrounding areas in Lancaster, PA. For those of you who have never heard of Fasnacht Day, it is a traditional yearly celebration held the day before lent and is also known as "Shrove Tuesday." The word fasnacht literally means, "carnival" and is also a celebrated custom in Basel, Switzerland.

Fasnacht's are actually doughnuts without holes and were originally made as a way to empty one's pantry of lard, sugar, fat and butter done just before lent fasting. Being born and raised in a Pennsylvania Dutch family, I can tell you that we believe in the old adage, "waste not, want not!" LOL!

This is the only time of the year when fasnacht's are sold in our local grocery stores and food shoppes. I have included a recipe on how to make these tasty little treats! Some are made with powdered sugar and some are prepared without. It is simply a matter of taste.

Fasnacht Doughnuts/Donuts

Ingredients needed:

2 cups mashed potatoes (optional)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 quart milk ~ scalded and cooled

5 cups flour

3 packages yeast in 1 cup warm water (dissolve yeast in water then add teaspoon sugar)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

Rest of 5 pound bag of flour

Directions:

Mix first six ingredients in order with electric mixer. Let rise until double, approximately four hours at room temperature. Stir remaining 3 ingredients into previous batter. Let rise until double (approximately 5 hours). Roll and cut. Let rise again until double (2-3 hours).

Then, fry in lard at 425 degrees.  Best served with molasses poured over top of them. Makes 100 fasnachts.