Craving something sweet? Let’s talk paczki!
These traditional Polish doughnuts are a delicious treat, often enjoyed around Fat Tuesday—but why wait for a special occasion?
And here’s the best part: we’re making them baked, not fried, for a lighter twist without sacrificing that soft, pillowy goodness. Whether you fill them with jam, custard, or enjoy them plain, these baked paczki are the perfect way to indulge!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm milk (no warmer than 110 F)
- 2 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast (remember to proof the yeast before you begin)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 ounces (1 stick) room-temperature butter
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 3 large egg yolks (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon brandy (or rum)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar, or jam for filling
Directions
- In a small bowl add yeast to warm milk, stir to dissolve, and set aside.
- In a large bowl cream sugar and butter until fluffy.
- Beat in egg, egg yolks, brandy or rum, and salt until well incorporated.
- Add 4 1/2 cups flour alternately with the milk-yeast mixture and beat until smooth. The dough will be very slack. If much too soft, or if it is runny, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour.
- Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 hours.
- Punch down the dough and let it rise again.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll to 1/2 to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut rounds with a 3-inch cutter. Remove scraps, and re-roll and re-cut.
- Transfer rounds to parchment-lined baking sheets, cover, and let rounds rise until doubled in bulk, 30 minutes or longer. Heat oven to 375 F.
- Place pączki in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the toothpick tests clean.
- Remove from oven and roll in granulated sugar while still hot, or confectioners’ sugar when cool.
- To fill the pączki, let them cool completely and then cut a slit in the side and slip a teaspoon of jam inside. Then dust with confectioners’ sugar or roll in granulated sugar.
- Serve and enjoy!
Image Credit: ID 18677019 © Dreambigphotos | Dreamstime.com
