ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Meeting the sweet demand, one bakery in Lehigh County has been rolling dough and frying up thousands of fastnachts for those looking to indulge this Fat Tuesday.

Hands full of boxes piled high, customers filed into Mary Ann Donut Kitchen before the sun came up all for a very special treat Tuesday.

The fastnacht is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, coming in plain, powdered, or sugared flavors at the local shop on Liberty Street.

Thousands of people seek the fried treat on Fat Tuesday.

“It’s a great way to start Lent by enjoying your donut before you start fasting,” said Kathy Shiffert of Allentown.

Being a staple since 1959, the newest owners took over five years ago.

“The idea that this was a family-run business for so long, looking back we wanted to continue it,” said Mike O’Boyle Sr., co-owner of Mary Ann Donut Kitchen.

They say fastnacht preparations started in January.

“It’s our Super Bowl. Between yesterday and today, we’ll make about 30,000,” said Alex Fortna, a co-owner of Mary Ann Donut Kitchen.

We found one customer who dressed up for the occasion.

“My favorite thing? Eating them. I just love the flavor of them and I love bringing them to everybody because some people are new and they never had them,” said Antonio Santiago of Bethlehem.

Two others who spoke to 69 News said they were picking up 800 of them to bring to work at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Allentown.

“We had to come back for more because we realized we didn’t have enough,” said Beverly Weinstein.

The family-owned shop was even recognized on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last month, thanks to Allentown native Amanda Seyfried.

It’s a tradition that grows deep through generations.

“I’ve been coming here for years and years and years,” said long-time customer, Richard Haines.

“I have worked here since 1979. It means everything to me. Everything. It has, basically, since the day I started,” said Karen Merrill, a manager at Mary Ann Donut Kitchen.

Mary Ann Donut Kitchen will be open until 6 p.m. Tuesday and will reopen Wednesday at 5:30 a.m., strictly selling fastnachts.

If you can’t make it today or tomorrow, they will still be available for purchase through the end of the month.