How to Make Homemade Fastnachts

It is a Pennsylvania tradition to make and serve Fastnachts on Fastnacht Day, which is the Tuesday before the start of Lent. They are also commonly referred to as Fasnachts. What are Fastnachts? They are basically a high calorie potato dough doughnut, although you can find varying recipes for them around the area. A genuine Fastnacht will never have a hole in the center like a traditional doughnut.

This recipe was given to me by a German woman living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Biscuit

Ingredients:

3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed potatoes, cooled to room temperature
6 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 stick of better, softened
1 cup cold milk
4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
vegetable oil for deep frying

Directions:

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, salt and butter until creamy and well mixed. Stir in the mashed potatoes and milk, until all ingredients are combined. In a small bowl, combine the baking powder with the flour. Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are combined. The dough will be stiff so that you can roll it out. If dough is a little sticky, add flour until it becomes stiff enough to roll out.

Place vegetable oil into your deep fryer and heat it to 350 degrees. Roll dough out to a 1/2" thick on a floured dough board. Use a biscuit or doughnut cutter to cut out doughnuts. Place 2-3 doughnuts into the deep fryer at a time and fry for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Cool slightly before eating.

Note: If desired, you can shake some cinnamon sugar on hot doughnuts before serving.

How to Make Homemade Fastnachts

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly has been living in Pennsylvania for most of her life and enjoys cooking and baking. You can visit Shelly online at: http://www.workathomebusinessoptions.com or her Shakin 'N Bakin Recipe Blog at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com