Best Fastnacht Recipes

FASTNACHTS (GERMAN DOUGHNUTS)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk.
• Sift in flour and salt in bowl.
• Make a hole in the center.
• Pour dissolved yeast and all other ingredients into the hole and mix until not sticky.
• Cover and let rise until doubled.
• Punch down, then let rest for 10 minutes.
• Roll out to about 1/4-inch and cut.
• Let rise another 20-30 minutes.
• Fry in deep fat until light brown.
• While still hot, roll in sugar.

NANA'S FASTNACHTS

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, proof the yeast by adding the warm water to the yeast. Let stand 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl mix together the teaspoon of sugar and 3 cups of the flour. Stir in milk until smooth. Add proofed yeast and mix well. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
• Stir in beaten eggs, melted butter or margarine, one cup of sugar, salt, and enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Cover and let rise for a second time until doubled.
• Punch down dough and divide into 2 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut dough with a biscuit cutter. Make 2 slits with a sharp knife in the middle of each doughnut. Cover and let rise a third time until doubled in size.
• Deep fat fry in oil or lard for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Rotate to ensure even cooking. Drain on brown paper bags. Toss in confectioners sugar while still warm.

GERMAN FASTNACHTS WITH POTATO

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in the 1/2 cup warm water with 1 tsp of sugar.
• Mix potatoes, sugar, potato water and flour; add yeast dissolved in water.
• Let rise in a warm place for several hours.
• Then add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup lukewarm water or milk, 3/4 cup melted butter, 3 eggs, salt and about 5 cups flour for stiff dough.
• Turn onto a well floured board and knead for about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add a small amount of extra flour if necessary so the dough can be handled without sticking to your fingers.
• Grease a large bowl.
• Place the dough in the greased bowl.
• Cover with a thin towel, and let rise in a warm, draft free place for about 2 hours or until it is at least double in size.
• Now, according to all my instruction, you’re supposed to let the dough rise again for another hour or two, but that means you’d be fussing with these things all day; figure it out; this would be its third rising, with another to come; I think at this point I’d be reckless and divide the dough in thirds and start rolling it out.
• What matters if you do have a few large holes in your fastnachts?
• Take your choice, rise or roll.
• I’d try rolling the dough to about 3/4 inch thickness.
• Fastnachts have a traditional diamond shape; cut them into diamonds with a knife.
• Another essential is to cut a slit across the top of each fastnacht with a sharp knife.
• Let the fastnachts rise, covered, in a warm place, till they’re springy to the touch; when they’re quite fat and puffy, drop them with the raised side down into fat that is hot enough to brown a bread cube—375 degrees.
• Fry on both sides.
• If you don’t want that many fried cakes you might try baking some in a hot oven as rolls.
• Food that Really Schmecks.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH POTATO DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, milk, eggs and butter. Combine the sugar, baking powder and 2 cups flour; stir into potato mixture. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour., Divide dough in half. Turn each half onto a lightly floured surface; roll to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-3/4-in. doughnut cutter. , In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. , In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Color glaze if desired. Dip doughnuts in glaze and sprinkles as desired.