If you are not from Pennsylvania Dutch Country, you may have heard of this day referred to as “Fat Tuesday,” “Pancake Tuesday,” or “Strove Tuesday.”  Fasnacht day falls every year on the day before lent.  In the past, it was celebrated as a way to use up sugar, lard, fat and butter, items often restricted during the lenten season.  These ingredients were used to create a fatty donut called a fasnacht.   

While we lived in California, no one had heard of these wonderful treats, so I made them! The first picture shows the delicious donuts I made last year.  Fasnacht dough includes mashed potatoes (but not always), sugar, butter, lard (such as Crisco), egg, yeast and flour.  You also need some extra lard for cooking up these delicious treats.  The dough rises in two stages; once after the dough is created, and then once after the dough is shaped into donut form.  Now that we are back on the east coast, I was able to find them all over Central Market.  I bought 7 powdered fasnachts, shared one with the little lady, then headed to a cafe to enjoy with my newest drink obsession, chocolate covered strawberry tea latte. Happy Fasnacht day everyone, have a donut or make some of your own!  Cheers!

Fasnachts