“Mardi Gras” is approaching (March 4), and beyond the festivities and costumes, this period is loved for the delicious doughnuts that fill the windows of bakeries. In Luxembourg, Verwurrelter are the most popular, but what about other European countries? Here’s a quick overview of this sweet tradition.
Doughnuts and Lent
Carnival doughnuts, also known as “merveilles” or “bugnes,” are a culinary tradition in Europe during the Carnival season. These treats, usually sweet, are fried in oil and sometimes flavored with vanilla or orange. They symbolize joy and abundance before the fasting period of Lent. In some regions, they are dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon. This culinary tradition varies from country to country, but the result is the same: a fun and tasty tradition.
Sweet Traditions
Let’s take a look at the pastries enjoyed during this time of the year in a few European countries:
In Luxembourg, several types of doughnuts are prepared during the Carnival season. Verwurrelter are typical pastries of the country, easily recognizable in bakery windows by their knot shape. These pastries are fried until crispy and golden, then dusted with powdered or granulated sugar. You can also find Berliner in bakeries, large round doughnuts filled with plum jam, or mini fried balls filled with cream cheese and coated in sugar.
In France, doughnuts are popular pastries during Carnival and come in various forms depending on the region, such as the flat bugnes in Lyon, merveilles in Provence, or apple doughnuts in Brittany. There are also “pets de nonne“ (originating from Franche-Comté), small, puffed round doughnuts made with choux pastry that are fried for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
In Germany, Krapfen, Berliner or Pfannkuchen are round doughnuts, typically filled with jam, cream, or chocolate. Their dough is light and fluffy, and they are dusted with powdered sugar before serving.
In Portugal, Bolas de Berlim are also very round doughnuts, typically filled with pastry cream or jam. They are fried until golden and soft, then sprinkled with sugar.
Find delicious doughnut recipes on our website to make these sweet treats yourself. Enjoy!
