Fastnacht Kuchen - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup mashed potatoes, hot and unseasoned
2 cups sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
1 cup warm water or 1 cup potato water
7 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water or 1 cup scalded and cooled milk
3/4 cup butter, melted
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
oil (for frying)
powdered sugar, to roll dough in

Preparation

Combine the hot mashed potatoes, 1 cup of the sugar, the yeast, warm water or potato water, and 1 cup of the flour.
Beat until smooth and let rise until dough is light and full of bubbles about an half an hour.
Stir the mixture down and add the remaining 1 cup sugar, the warm water or scalded and cooled milk, melted butter, eggs, salt, and the remaining 6 cups flour.
Beat together, add more flour if necessary to make a firm dough.
Brush with butter, cover, and let rise until doubled. Punch the dough down and turn out onto a floured board. Knead lightly.
Roll out and cut with a doughnut cutter, or cut with a knife into the traditional diamond shapes. Let sit for about 20 minutes.
Fry in Oil at 375 degrees until browned. Roll in powdered sugar when done.
If desired, the dough may be kept in the refrigerator for several days to be used as needed.