SWEET INDULGENCE

Beverly’s Pastry Shop offers fasnachts and Mardi Gras to customers

POTTSTOWN >> Whether you call it Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or Fasnacht Day, Tuesday was the day many in the region feasted on fasnachts.

The German doughnut is a tradition on the day before Ash Wednesday — and reflects the idea of using all the best foods in the pantry before the Lenten fast begins.

A variety of home bakers, fire companies and commercial bakeries get into the spirit of Fasnacht Day every year — to satisfy the fasnacht needs of the region.

Beverly’s Pastry Shop, 322 East High St., Pottstown, stocked up on about 60 dozen fasnachts made by Suzy Jo’s Donuts — which is well known for its fasnachts. Owner Kristen Sirbak said she had been taking orders from customers — who came into the shop on Tuesday to pick up their pastry indulgences.

Sirbak also brought a bit of New Orleans Mardi Gras to the downtown on Tuesday. In addition to its regular offerings and the fasnachts, Beverly’s offered the Mardi Gras traditional king cakes, a round cake with a glaze topping and sprinkled with colored sugar. King cakes traditionally have a small figurine inside, and the person who gets the figurine with their piece is supposed to have luck. Beverly’s Pastry Shop also gave Mardi Gras beads to customers.

MARIAN DENNIS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Customers were eager to get their fasnacht fill Tuesday at Beverly’s Bakery, 322 E High St. Pottstown. Owner Kristen Sirbak waits on a customer picking up her order.

MARIAN DENNIS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Beverly’s Bakery, 322 E High St. Pottstown, celebrated Fasnacht Day Tuesday by offering king cakes and fasnachts from Suzy Jo’s Donuts. The bakery was also handing out beads to customers in celebration of Mardi Gras.

MARIAN DENNIS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Beverly’s Bakery in Pottstown celebrated Fasnacht Day Tuesday with an abundance of fasnachts provided by Suzy Jo’s Donuts. The bakery also offered king cakes in celebration of Mardi Gras.

MARIAN DENNIS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kristen Sirbak, co-owner of Beverly’s Bakery, grabs a donut for a customer Tuesday before the morning rush.