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America's Melting Pot
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1800-1860 - German-American immigrant communities in the United States during the 1800s.
Fastnachts are dense, fried doughnuts traditionally prepared by German-American communities in the U.S. during the 19th century, especially for Shrove Tuesday. These simple pastries reflect German immigrant influence on American regional baking traditions during early expansion and immigration periods.
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Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
2 hours including rising
Cook time
10 minutes
Total time
2 hours 10 minutes
Servings
12
Region
Appalachia and Pennsylvania Dutch country
Era introduced
1800-1860
Introduced by
German-American immigrant communities in the United States during the 1800s.
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Fastnachts, sometimes called Shrove Tuesday doughnuts, were introduced by German immigrants to America during the 1800 to 1860 expansion era. Traditionally cooked the day before Lent, these fried doughnuts are rich but without holes and coated in powdered sugar. Fastnachts illustrate the influence of German baking traditions on regional American holiday foods and the adaptation of old-world recipes to new-world ingredients and festivities.
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