Tuesday, March 5, 2019 is Fat Tuesday, Fausnacht Day, or “Fasnacht Day”, Fastnacht Day”, or “Faschnacht Day”—however you want to spell it. Fasnacht Day, Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday is traditionally the last day before the season of Lent, and there are a number of great places to get fasnachts on fasnacht day in Lancaster County!
Lent is the period of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday and is used as a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means “spring” and the forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
What does fastnacht mean?
Historically, fasnachts were made as a way to empty the pantry of lard, sugar, fat, and butter, plus leavening agents, which were traditionally forbidden and given up during Lent. The Pennsylvania Dutch brought this treat with them from Germany where it was traditionally made from a yeast dough, deep fried, and coated or dusted in sugar or cinnamon sugar; they may be plain or filled with fruit jam.
Make Your Own Fasnachts
There are so many different recipes for fasnachts, but I am really excited about this recipe that I found, it comes from a Pennsylvania Dutch Cook Book of Fine Old Recipes originally printed in 1936! I plan on trying this recipe with my family, and from the positive reviews I am hopeful it will work out well!!!
Best Lancaster County Fasnacht Day Locations
There are a TON of local places that make fasnachts, here are some of my very favorite! Pickup days vary between Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Mary Jane’s at Roots Country Market and Auction
- Holy Trinity Church (Columbia) – $9/dozen glazed – order online
- Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
- Achenbach’s Pastries
- Stoudts – $12/dozen or $6.50/half dozen
- Beiler’s Donuts
- Bird-n-Hand Bakery
- Martin’s Country Market has a drive-thru from 5am-10am on March 5th. Get a dozen fasnachts for $6!!!!!
- Dutch Way Farm Markets
