Paczki

Plump, rich Polish doughnuts filled with rose-petal jam or plum butter and finished with glaze or powdered sugar. They are softer and eggier than standard doughnuts.

Paczki

00409 paczki z serem, sanok: Silar, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Where it comes from

Paczki are a much-loved Polish pastry, sold in bakeries all year round and shared at gatherings with family and friends. In Polish-American communities they are a treasured bakery specialty.

Explore the cuisine of Poland.

Recipe

Make Paczki at home

Serves 12Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (500 g) flour
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • Oil for frying
  • 3/4 cup rose or plum jam
  • Powdered sugar or glaze

How it's made

  1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt, then add milk, yolks, butter and vanilla. Knead 8 minutes until soft and smooth.
  2. Let rise until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  3. Roll out 1/2 inch thick and cut 3-inch circles.
  4. Let the rounds rise 30 minutes, covered.
  5. Fry in 340 F (170 C) oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden with a pale band around the middle.
  6. Cool, then pipe jam into each through a small hole in the side.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar or dip in glaze.

Variations

  • Paczki with custard filling.
  • Glazed paczki with orange peel.
  • Mini paczki.

Cook’s tip: Keep the oil steady at 340 F; too hot and the outside will brown before the center cooks.

Related dishes

Chimney cake
Chimney cakeDesserts and sweets · Hungary
Apple strudel
Apple strudelDesserts and sweets · Austria
Churros
ChurrosDesserts and sweets · Spain
Doughnut
DoughnutDesserts and sweets · United States
About this page

Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.

Photo credit
  • 00409 paczki z serem, sanok: Silar, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)