Shakin & Bakin Foodie Blog

This recipe takes some time to make but the results are fabulous! This is a Pennsylvania tradition to make homemade Fastnachts on Fastnachts Day every year.

Homemade Pennsylvania Fastnachts Recipe

3 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. salt
1 cup mashed potatoes, cooled
6 tsp. baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup cold milk
4 3/4 cup all purpose flour

Beat ingredients together (eggs, sugar, salt and butter) until well mixed. Add mashed potatoes and milk, mixing for an additional minute. Stir baking powder and flour together and then add to the wet mixture. First beat in, then switch to mixing with a wooden spoon as mixture gets stiff. Dough should be stiff enough to roll. If dough is sticky, add flour until it is stiff enough to roll out.

Put vegetable oil in deep fryer and heat to 350 degrees. Roll dough out to a 1/2" thick. Use a doughnut cutter with hold in the middle to cut out the Fastnachts. Deep fry the Fastnachts until lightly golden brown, but not dark in color. Cool slightly on paper towels to drain grease. Sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top.