In the realm of pastries, there exists a culinary treasure that has captivated hearts and taste buds across the globe: paczki. These delectable Polish doughnuts, pronounced "poonch-key," hold a special place in the culinary traditions of Poland and have become a symbol of indulgence and celebration. Whether it's the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans, the pre-Lenten Fat Thursday in Poland, or simply a moment of sweet indulgence, paczki have earned their place as a beloved treat. With their rich, deep-fried dough, sweet fillings, and powdered sugar coating, paczki embody the essence of comfort and satisfaction. In this article, we will delve into the world of paczki, exploring the history, variations, and techniques involved in creating these iconic Polish doughnuts.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PACZKI: POLISH DONUTS
These Polish yeast-based doughnuts are made to celebrate Fat Thursday in Poland and Fat Tuesday in the US. Filled with sweet cream or jam and rolled in powdered sugar, paczki is a treat for everyone!
Provided by Anna in the Kitchen
Categories Desserts
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a bowl put a tablespoon of flour, 3 tablespoons of warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Mix it all well, cover with a rag and set aside for 20 minutes. It should become all fluffy and foamy.
- Mix the rest of the flour with egg yolks and melted butter. Then add the rest of your milk (not warm this time) and rum. The rum will make your paczki absorb less oil when frying later.
- Knead the dough with hands for about 5 minutes. Cover with a rag and set to grow in a warm place for about 45 mins to an hour - you can use an oven shelf for that.
- Once the dough is grown, set some flour on the dough board. Roll out the fluffy dough gently to a thickness of about 1" and cut out round paczki (you can use a bigger cup or glass to do it).
- Form your cut out paczki round, but slightly flatter on top and bottom.
- Fry them in oil heated to 345 F for about 2/3 minutes on each side, then place on paper towels to remove the excess oil.
- Once cooled down, stuff them with a filling of your choice. You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top or prepare frosting with melted sugar and candied orange peels.
BAKED PACZKI (POLISH DOUGHNUTS)
This baked paczki recipe is lower in fat than ones fried in hot oil. They are eaten on Fat Tuesday in America and on Fat Thursday in Poland.
Provided by Barbara Rolek
Categories Dessert
Time 3h55m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, add the yeast to the warm milk; stir to dissolve and set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the sugar and butter until fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, egg yolks, brandy or rum, and salt until well incorporated.
- Add 4 1/2 cups of the flour alternately with the milk-yeast mixture and beat for 5 or more minutes until smooth. The dough will be very slack. If much too soft or runny, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour.
- Place the 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 rise again.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll to 1/2 to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut rounds with a 3-inch cutter. Remove the scraps, re-roll, and re-cut.
- Transfer the rounds to parchment-lined baking sheets, cover, and let rounds rise until doubled in bulk, 30 minutes or longer. Heat the oven to 375 F.
- Place pączki in the oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick tests clean.
- Remove from the oven; if coating in granulated sugar, brush the tops and sides with melted butter and roll in granulated sugar while still hot. If using confectioners' sugar, let the doughnuts cool before coating.
- To fill the pączki , let them cool completely, cut a slit in the side, and slip a teaspoon of fruit paste or jam inside. Then dust with confectioners' sugar or roll in granulated sugar.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 kcal, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 110 mg, Sugar 5 g, Fat 17 g, ServingSize 24 doughnuts, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
AUTHENTIC POLISH PACZKI
This is the recipe I found handwritten in my Polish grandmother's cookbook. I have since found ones almost identical in Polish cuisine cookbooks. I so looked forward as a child to the Sundays that the Catholic church in Wilno, Minnesota sold paczkis after Mass on Sundays. They were the best treat ever. This recipe takes some effort, but they taste just as good. *NOTE....I'm adding this change after reading the last reviewer's very helpful comment that it tasted too eggy...she's right, it's a very eggy pastry dough. Be sure to use 6 whole eggs instead of the 12 yolks if you don't like that flavor (I know many people don't). It will work just as well, but be more to your taste. I'm so glad she took the time to bring this to my attention....it's something I should have mentioned before.
Provided by Vina7737
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h30m
Yield 18 paczki
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Beat egg yolks with the salt in the small bowl of an electric mixer at high speed until the mixture is thick and piles softly, about 7 minutes.
- Soften yeast in warm water.
- Cream butter, add sugar to it gradually, beating until fluffy.
- Slowly beat in the softened yeast.
- Stir one fourth of the flour into the yeast mix.
- Add rum/brandy and half of the cream.
- Beat in another fourth of the flour.
- Stir in remaining cream.
- Beat in half of the remaining flour and then the egg yolk mixture.
- Beat for 2 minutes.
- Gradually beat in the remaining flour until the dough blisters.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Set in a warm place to rise.
- When it has doubled in bulk, punch it down.
- Cover and let rise again until doubled.
- Punch it down again.
- Roll dough on a floured surface to about 3/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out 3 inch rounds using a cookie cutter or glass.
- Put 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of half the circles.
- Brush the edges with water.
- Top with the remaining rounds.
- Seal the edges very well.
- Cover the paczki on a floured surface.
- Let rise about 20 minutes.
- Deep fry in the hot fat until they are golden brown on both sides.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with honey.
POLISH DOUGHNUTS - PACZKI
There are many recipes for Paczki. Some call for 10-20 egg yolks, grated orange or lemon rind, cream, rum or vodka. This is a simplified version flavored with mace. My Polish grandmother made her own plum jam from the trees in her yard but you can use your favorite. Posted by request. Prep time is estimated and includes rising time.
Provided by Lorac
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h10m
Yield 30 doughnuts
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Scald milk and allow to cool to lukewarm, add yeast and stir.
- Beat sugar and butter until fluffy, add eggs, salt, vanilla and mace.
- Add flour and yeast-milk gradually, beating well.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
- Punch down and let rise again.
- Roll out dough, on a floured surface, 3/4 inch thick.
- Cut out 1 1/2 inch circles.
- Top half of the circles with 1 tsp jam, cover with the remaining circles and seal edges.
- Heat oil mixed with 1 tbls water to 375°F.
- Fry, turning once, to a medium golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 125.1, Fat 4.3, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 34.9, Sodium 108.7, Carbohydrate 18.5, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 3.4, Protein 3
AUTHENTIC POLISH PACZKI
Paczki are traditionally eaten on Fat Thursday or Fat Tuesday. Roll fried donuts in granulated sugar, icing sugar or dip into a thin icing sugar glaze. These can be filled with jam or custard. Makes 12 paczki donuts.
Provided by Jennifer
Categories Snack
Time 3h20m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, heat milk until steaming with small bubbles forming around the edges (about 180F). Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm (about 105F).
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve yeast in the lukewarm milk and let stand for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the flour. Mix together and let stand for 20-30 minutes, until really bubbly.
- In the meantime, beat the yolks in a small bowl until they are light and fluffy.
- To the proofed yeast mixture, add the melted butter and sugar and mix. Add salt and vanilla. Add beaten egg yolks. Slowly add more of the flour to bowl in small increments, adding just until you have a soft dough that is moist ,but not sticky. Remove dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead 1 minute (adding a bit more flour if it is sticking to your hands or the work surface). Form dough into a ball.
- Grease a clean bowl and add dough. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled. (This dough is a bit of a slow riser, so expect this rise to be up to 90 minutes).
- Deflate dough and pat out onto floured cutting board. With a rolling pin, gently roll into a 1/2-inch thick circle. Gently cut out circles with 3-inch biscuit cutter. Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet, cover with a clean tea towel and let rise until doubled (about 30 minutes). *You can re-roll the scraps and cut more pieces, though they are never quite as neat as the first cuts. I like to use the ugliest of these ones as "test" ones, to test the temperature of the oil. I fry one, let cool, then cut it open to make sure it is cooking all the way through. I can then adjust time/temperature, as needed from there.
- Meanwhile, heat oil to 360°F. Fry paczki until golden on one side, flip and fry the other side. Don't try to cook too many at a time so you don't reduce the temperature of the oil by adding too many at once. Don't rush the frying, to be sure they are cooked through well. Fry until they are a deep golden colour. Remove paczki to a cooling rack for about 30 seconds, then immediately roll in granulated sugar. Let stand until completely cooled.
- Once cooled, using a sharp knife, poke a hole on the side. Use a pastry bag with a large plain tip to pipe the jam or custard filling inside.
- These are best when freshly made, but you can freeze any extras.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 37 mg, Sodium 125 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PACZKI
Paczki (pronounced puun-ch-key) are supercharged jelly doughnuts, made with both whole eggs and yolks for a rich, almost savory dough, with a sweet glaze on top. Though typically enjoyed on Fat Thursday in Poland (the Thursday before Ash Wednesday), in Polish neighborhoods in the US, paczki are enjoyed as part of the Fat Tuesday celebration. The tradition started as a festive way to use up eggs, butter and lard before Lent. Though typically fried in lard, we're frying these in vegetable oil, which is a little more accessible. Either way, some say that starting the Lenten season by eating these sweet rich treats will bring good luck and happiness throughout the year.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 2h40m
Yield 15 doughnuts
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the paczki: Whisk together the flour and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Microwave the milk in a small microwave-safe bowl until warm (between 110 to 115 degrees F.), about 1 minute, then stir to even out the temperature. Add the yeast and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar, stirring just enough to hydrate the yeast. Let bloom for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the butter and remaining granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream together on medium high-speed, stopping and scraping the bowl once or twice as necessary, until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the whole eggs and beat on medium high to combine, about 1 minute. Add the egg yolks and vanilla and beat together another minute.
- Starting with the mixer on low and then raising to medium high, add the flour mixture in 2 parts, alternating with the yeast mixture. Once the last addition of flour has been combined, knead the dough in the mixer until smooth, 6 to 8 minutes. The dough will be slack and sticking to the sides but not too sticky to the touch. If it is too sticky, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of flour and knead a minute more to tighten it up.
- Put the dough on a flour-dusted surface and knead by hand a few times, tucking the dough under itself to form a smooth ball. Transfer to a large, greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 40 to 60 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll or pat down to 1/2 inch thick. Cut the dough into 3-inch circles and place on a lightly floured baking sheet. Make one more circle from the dough scraps or make mini paczki to fry. Cover the dough circles with a kitchen towel and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a deep Dutch oven to 350 degrees F; line a baking sheet with paper towels.
- Shake off any flour from the dough circles and fry in batches of 3 to 4 until deep golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side. You will be able to tell they are cooked through because the amount of bubbles will reduce to almost nothing. Transfer the doughnuts to the paper towel-lined baking sheet as they come out of the oil. Return the oil to 350 degrees F between batches. Let rest until cool enough to handle.
- For the filling and glaze. Fit a pastry bag with a small round tip and fill with the jam. Set aside.
- Use a thick skewer or chopstick to poke a hole in the middle of each doughnut and wiggle a little space, taking care to not poke all the way through. Fill with the jam using the pastry bag.
- To make the glaze, add the confectioners' sugar to a small bowl big enough to dip a doughnut into. Whisk in the milk until smooth. The glaze should be a little loose, close to the consistency of maple syrup. Dip each doughnut in the glaze, letting it roll off a bit before turning it over to set. Some of the glaze will run down the sides which is okay, but if you need to adjust the thickness, add a little more confectioners' sugar or milk depending on what you need. Let the glaze set for about 5 minutes! If you want to skip the glaze, just dust with confectioners' sugar; many paczki are enjoyed this way too. Paczki are best the day they are made, but they can be stored in an airtight container to enjoy the next day.
PACZKI (POLISH DONUTS) RECIPE - (5/5)
Provided by sassy47
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix wet ingredients: In a medium size bowl combine the eggs, milk, butter, sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Add the yeast and mix well. Make dough: Add the flour to the bowl of your mixer, then pour in the milk/egg mixture. Using the dough hook, mix well until well incorporated. You will know that the dough is done when it comes clean from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be a soft dough. Prepare dough and let rise: Turn over the dough onto a floured surface and knead for a couple minutes, then place the dough in a bowl that's sprayed with cooking spray. I also like to spray the dough with some cooking spray so that it doesn't dry out. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise for a couple hours. The dough should double in size. Roll dough and cut rounds: Roll out the dough on a floured surface so that's it's about 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut out rounds using a glass or a cookie cutter. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise again for about 30 minutes until doubled in size. Fry donuts: Add about 3 inches of oil to a deep frying pan, I used a Dutch Oven. Before frying the donuts make sure the oil is hot, it needs to be 350 F degrees. Fry the donuts, about 5 or 6 at a time until golden brown on both sides. Make sure you turn them on both sides to fry them evenly. Cool: Transfer the donuts to a large bowl lined with paper towels to drain some of the excess oil. Allow them to cool until you are able to handle them. Fill: Using a piping bag and a filing tip, pipe your favorite filling into the sides of the paczki. Roll the donuts in powdered or granulated sugar then serve
Tips:
- Use fresh yeast for the best results. If you're using active dry yeast, proof it in warm water with a little sugar before adding it to the dough.
- Make sure the butter is cold and cubed before adding it to the dough. This will help create a flaky, tender crust.
- Don't overwork the dough. Mix it just until it comes together, then let it rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- If the dough is too sticky to roll out, chill it for 30 minutes before trying again.
- Fry the paczki in hot oil until they're golden brown and cooked through. Don't overcrowd the pan, or the paczki will stick together.
- Drain the paczki on paper towels before filling them. This will help prevent the filling from making the paczki soggy.
- Fill the paczki with your favorite fillings, such as jelly, custard, or chocolate. You can also sprinkle them with powdered sugar or glaze them.
Conclusion:
Paczki are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can make these Polish donuts at home. Just follow the tips above and you'll be sure to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
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