Fasnachts: Lancaster County's Traditional Sweet Treat Before Lent

This time of year, you'll know that the Lenten season is just around the corner when the air in Lancaster County starts to smell like freshly fried, sugary fasnachts. These sweet, doughnut-like pastries are a traditional part of how the Pennsylvania Dutch celebrate Shrove Tuesday (or Fat Tuesday). They're symbolic of the need for Christian households to use up rich, fatty foods before Ash Wednesday and the start of the 40-day period of fasting, repentance and prayer. Translated from German, fasnacht means "fasting night."

If you've never had a fasnacht, you're in for a treat! Much like a doughnut, they're made from flour, sugar, eggs, milk and yeast, then deep-fried in lard until golden brown. Many fasnacht recipes include a secret ingredient – mashed potatoes – making them less sweet, but extra delicious! Fasnachts are different from most doughnuts, though, because they are square in shape, with no hole, filling, frosting or sprinkles. Instead, they are coated with sugar, powdered sugar or glaze, or simply served plain.

Is your mouth watering yet? If so, you're not alone. Fasnachts are so wildly popular here that churches and bakeries will make thousands upon thousands of them to meet the demand of hungry customers. When it comes to finding the best places in Lancaster County for fasnachts, there are plenty of great options. A lot of churches across the county will be making fasnachts for the occasion. Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Columbia has been making fasnachts since 1924, and will fry up about 7,000 this year. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Lancaster offers drive-thru service for easy pickup.

In addition to churches, you'll find fasnachts at local bakeries and country markets. Stop at the historic Lancaster Central Market where you'll find delicious fasnachts at Wendy Jo's and Zig's Bakery. Try both and pick your favorite! Other tried-and-true favorites are Oregon Dairy and Weiser's Market in Lititz; Achenbach's Pastries and Byers Butterflake Bakery  in Leola; Shady Maple in East Earl; and Bird-in-Hand Bakery in Bird-in-Hand – just to name a few! 

No matter where you go to get your fasnacht fix during Fasnacht Day, you’re guaranteed to have a scrumptious time celebrating this meaningful day in Pennsylvania Dutch culture. So grab some of these tasty treats by the dozen and try a fasnacht for yourself!