It’s Fat Tuesday, a time to eat fastnachts, pączkis or pancakes. What to know

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Tomorrow we fast, but today it’s time to party.

It’s Fat Tuesday, and while there are many different ways to celebrate the holiday, it’s a doughnut celebration for many.

What is Fat Tuesday?

Tuesday, March 4, 2025, is Fastnacht Day, also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras and National Pancake Day. Traditionally, it was the last day to use up all the sugar, butter and lard before the start of Lent.

So if you want to get your sweet on, here are some of the traditional ways to do it.

What is Mardi Gras?: Details on the holiday’s origins, when it is and how to celebrate

What is a fastnacht?

Handed down by German and Pennsylvania Dutch cultures, a fastnacht is similar to a doughnut, although it tends to feel heavier and tastes a little less sweet.

Recipes vary. Some include mashed potato and lard. Some are round. Some are square. Some have holes in the middle. They can be plain, glazed, or covered in powdered sugar or cinnamon and sugar.

What is a Pączki?

These are Polish doughnuts made from rich dough and filled with fruit preserves or cream. The doughnuts are then covered in powdered sugar or a glaze. While it’s similar to the German filled doughnut, the dough includes a splash of Polish vodka is added to the dough.

What is King Cake?

King Cake is the dessert of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The name comes from the biblical story of the three kings that bring gifts to the infant Jesus. The day after Three Kings Day is the official start of the Mardis Gras season.

According to NewOrleans.com, the cake is a blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll with yellow, green and purple icing. The cake has a plastic baby in it and the tradition holds that the person who gets the baby has to bring the next cake or throw the next party.

Krispy Kreme offering free doughnuts

Not interested in fastnachts or Pączkis? If you want your old reliable doughnut, Krispy Kreme has a deal for you. You can get a free doughnut if you wear Mardi Gras beads to Krispy Kreme.

The lone Krispy Kreme in Delaware is located at 114 N. Dupont Highway in New Castle.

When is National Pancake Day?

It’s today! It’s time to head out and stuff yourself with pancakes. It’s odd because Fridays in Lent are meatless, which makes it a perfect time to eat pancakes. That said, tradition is tradition.

While many churches will hold pancake dinners, IHOP is giving away three buttermilk pancakes to customers who dine in from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. No minimum purchase is required.

IHOP restaurants near me in Delaware

There are eight IHOPs located in Delaware:

• 240 Foxhunt Drive, Bear
• 21 S. Little Creek Road, Dover
• 496 Middletown Warwick Road, Middletown
• 148 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle
• 2644 Kirkwood Highway, near Newark