What are Fasnachts? The Story Behind this PA Dutch Treat

With the winter holidays behind and spring seemingly so far away, a tasty treat is just the ticket to chase away the winter gloom! For the Pennsylvania Dutch – and many others – that slightly decadent treat is the fasnacht. Crafted from potato flour, eggs, sugar, and butter or lard, and fried to perfection, cooks in home, church, and bakery kitchens throughout southeastern Pennsylvania churn out this perfect pastry just one day a year. Why just one day? Read on to learn the origins of this tasty tradition, its continuing popularity, and where you can celebrate fasnacht day in PA by snagging some of these authentic PA Dutch delights for yourself.

WHEN IS FASNACHT DAY?

This delicious Pennsylvania Dutch tradition happens on Shrove Tuesday every year, the day before Lent. This powdered pastry symbolizes the final treat before Christians abstain from certain luxuries like all rich, sugary, and fatty foods during the 40 days of Lent. Rather than risk the eggs, lard, butter, and sugar in their pantries spoiling and going to waste, the Pennsylvania Dutch cooked up fasnachts in order to use up those ingredients and enjoy one last treat before the fasting period was set to begin.

FASNACHT OR FASTNACHT?

If you hail from Lancaster County or one of the surrounding counties, fasnacht (without the middle “t”) is definitely the correct spelling and comes straight from the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, according to Dr. Mark Louden, an expert on the Pennsylvania Dutch language. However, technically you’re not wrong for inserting that middle “t” because it refers to the period of Lent when fasting is the order of the day. “Fast” in traditional German has the same meaning as in English. So, fasnacht or fastnacht – they both spell DELICIOUS!

A PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH DELIGHT

Synonymous with Pennsylvania Dutch culture, the tradition of making fasnachts in the U.S. right before the start of Lent dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when the first immigrants from southern Germany settled in southeastern PA. Like many immigrant families, they maintained many of the traditions of their homeland, especially those related to food. Traditionally the treat is served by cutting them in half and paring them with butter, molasses, or syrup. However as the tradition lives on, there are many different recipes and way to serve this Pennsylvania Dutch dessert.  

FASNACHT – JUST A FANCY NAME FOR A DONUT?

At first glance, one might think what’s the big deal?! Aren't fasnachts just a fancy way of saying “donut?” Au contraire!!! While there are some similarities between fasnachts and donuts, there are key and notable differences. Perhaps most notably, fasnachts are crafted using potatoes – sometimes mashed, sometimes boiled and blended into dough – while donuts typically have wheat flour as the base carbohydrate. As a result, fasnachts are also generally a bit heavier and denser than your typical donut and not quite as sweet.

Fasnachts also are generally larger than the average donut – the more to enjoy!!! Another key difference is the shape. Donuts are round. Traditional fasnachts are square or triangular in shape, though round ones have become part of the norm, and you’ll never spy a fasnacht with a hole in the middle! Finally, while donuts tend to be soft in texture throughout, fashnachts have a delightfully crispy and deep golden exterior with a delicious and tender interior.

FASNACHTS 101

Now you know how to tell the difference between a Fasnacht and a donut, don’t be afraid to sample a variety to find your favorite. Some fasnachts are made with the traditional lard, while modern recipes often call for butter or vegetable shortening. You’ll find fasnachts that are unadorned, while others are dusted with granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar, and even cinnamon sugar to add a bit of extra sweetness. You might even find some fasnachts that are filled.

FIND FRESH FASNACHTS IN PA

Driving around southcentral Pennsylvania before Shrove Tuesday you’ll find many churches selling delicious fasnachts, along with local bakeries, farmers markets, grocery stores, and yes, even some donut shops. Here are a few.