Title – Fastnacht Day

By – Tina Miller

Primary Subject – Other

Grade Level – Other

This is not a lesson plan. This is just a note to tell you that in “Pennsylvania Dutch Country,” we refer to Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Pancake Day as Fastnacht Day. The old German tradition has always been to make fastnachts, an unfilled and holeless doughnut. A favorite of kids of all ages. Maybe you would like to put a lesson with the recipe?

Note from LessonPlansPage.com:

In Pennsylvania Dutch country, the day before Lent is known as “Fastnacht” (the night before the fast). Here they celebrate Shrove Tuesday by eating unleavened yeast-raised potato pastry doughnuts which are also called “Fastnachts.” Fastnachts are made because they use up the fat/lard, eggs, and sugar before fast of Lent begins. Formerly the fasting regulations of Lent were stricter: no meat, no dairy, and no eggs were eaten throughout the forty days.

Recipes can be found at: