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Fasnachtschüechli
Carnival fried pastries
Fasnachtschüechli: paper-thin Swiss carnival pastries dusted with icing sugar
During Fasnacht, from Basel's drum-filled Morgestraich to Lucerne's masked parades, the bakeries stack Fasnachtschüechli in towers: huge, wafer-thin rounds of fried dough so delicate they shatter at first bite, showering icing sugar everywhere. Families in central Switzerland still make them at home in February, stretching the dough over their knees. A rolling pin and patience work fine. Chef's tip: roll the dough so thin that you can read through it; thick spots puff into chewy bubbles instead of crisp lace.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 9 oz plain flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp single cream
- 1 litre sunflower oil for frying
- 2 ⅛ oz icing sugarfor dusting
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Mix 9 oz plain flour, ½ tsp salt and 1 tbsp sugar. Add 2 eggs and 4 tbsp single cream and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and silky. Wrap and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Divide into 12 pieces. Roll each as thinly as possible on a floured surface, then lift and stretch it gently over the backs of your hands into a 20–25 cm round, almost transparent. Lay on floured cloths.
20 minStep 3: Heat 1 litre sunflower oil for frying in a wide pan to 350°F. Fry the rounds one at a time for 30–40 seconds per side, turning with two forks, until pale gold and blistered. Drain flat on kitchen paper. Keep children well away from the hot oil.
20 minStep 4: Dust generously with 2 ⅛ oz icing sugar while still warm. Eat the same day.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fasnachtschüechli take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 45 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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