Homemade Fastnachts

Name: Homemade Fastnachts
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 2 cups milk; 1 cup mashed potatoes (no salt, milk, or butter added); ½ cup sugar ( + ½ tsp. sugar); 1 stick butter (melted); 1 packet rapid rise yeast; ¼ cup water (luke warm); 6½ cups flour (divided, 2 cups + 4½ cups); 1 Egg; 1 can Crisco® Shortening (3 pounds Crisco® or similar vegetable shortening for frying)