Last Tuesday was Fastnaught Day. Since moving to Pottstown, I have embraced the local tradition of eating the traditional square doughnuts. I can’t turn down good food.
This year, I decided to try my hand at making them. I had some leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge and I always keep yeast on hand. After running a quick search online, I followed this recipe though I made the following changes:
- used leftover mashed potatoes with butter, milk and yogurt mixed in
- increased mashed potatoes to 2 cups, since that is what I had on hand
- added 1 cup of warm water
- substituted butter for the lard
- substituted bread flour for flour
I may never go back to store-bought Fastnaught Day doughnuts. They were delicious.
My only problem was inconsistency in the deep frying process; some of the doughnuts didn’t get cooked through. Next time I’ll use an egg timer to make sure I’m cooking them long enough.

Oh M, this looks so good. Running right to facebook to post this on a Farmers Market page I manage. :D Thanks so much. I love potatoes.
Oh Yum! These are making me gain weight just looking at them!
Vicki