Pączki (Polish Filled Donuts)

Name: Pączki (Polish Filled Donuts)
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 3.25 cups all-purpose flour; 2.25 tsp instant yeast; 0.5 cup warm milk; 0.25 cup sugar; 3 tbsp butter, melted; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 0.25 tsp salt; 2 tbsp vodka (optional, for texture); oil for frying; jam or custard for filling; powdered sugar for dusting

Pączki Day is a cherished tradition in Poland and Polish communities like Chicago and Detroit, where bakeries sell out of these delightful filled, fried pastries. This recipe is inspired by my childhood memories of making pączki with my great-grandma. After a recent trip to the Czech Republic, I felt inspired to recreate these in her honor. Despite being my first attempt, they turned out wonderfully after a couple of tries! My favorite filling is raspberry—what's...

vodka (optional, for texture)

jam or custard for filling

powdered sugar for dusting

Step 1

Mix warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add flour, sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and vodka. Knead until smooth.

Step 3

Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Step 1

Roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness.

Step 2

Cut rounds or shape as desired.

Step 3

Cover the shaped dough and let it rise for 30 minutes.

Step 1

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Fry each piece for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.

Step 3

Drain on paper towels.

Step 1

Pipe jam or custard into each pączek.

Step 2

Dust with powdered sugar.

Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (350°F/175°C) to avoid greasy or undercooked pączki.

Use a piping bag with a long tip to easily fill the pączki with jam or custard.

If you don't want to use vodka, you can skip it; it helps with texture but isn't essential.

Pączki are best enjoyed fresh, so try to consume them the same day they're made.

Can I make pączki without vodka?

Yes, vodka is optional and only helps with texture. You can skip it without affecting the overall result.

What type of filling works best for pączki?

Traditional fillings include raspberry jam, custard, or plum preserves, but you can use any filling you like.

How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?

Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at 350°F (175°C). If you don't have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle and float to the top.

Can I bake pączki instead of frying them?

While traditional pączki are fried, you can bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, though the texture will be different.

How long do pączki stay fresh?

Pączki are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. If needed, store them in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

vodka (optional, for texture)

jam or custard for filling

powdered sugar for dusting

Step 1

Mix warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add flour, sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and vodka. Knead until smooth.

Step 3

Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Step 1

Roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness.

Step 2

Cut rounds or shape as desired.

Step 3

Cover the shaped dough and let it rise for 30 minutes.

Step 1

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Fry each piece for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.

Step 3

Drain on paper towels.

Step 1

Pipe jam or custard into each pączek.

Step 2

Dust with powdered sugar.

Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (350°F/175°C) to avoid greasy or undercooked pączki.

Use a piping bag with a long tip to easily fill the pączki with jam or custard.

If you don't want to use vodka, you can skip it; it helps with texture but isn't essential.

Pączki are best enjoyed fresh, so try to consume them the same day they're made.

Can I make pączki without vodka?

Yes, vodka is optional and only helps with texture. You can skip it without affecting the overall result.

What type of filling works best for pączki?

Traditional fillings include raspberry jam, custard, or plum preserves, but you can use any filling you like.

How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?

Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at 350°F (175°C). If you don't have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle and float to the top.

Can I bake pączki instead of frying them?

While traditional pączki are fried, you can bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, though the texture will be different.

How long do pączki stay fresh?

Pączki are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. If needed, store them in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Pączki (Polish Filled Donuts)

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

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How to make Pączki (Polish Filled Donuts)

Make the Dough

Shape

Fry

Fill & Dust

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Tips & Tricks

FAQS

Pączki (Polish Filled Donuts)

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

How to make Pączki (Polish Filled Donuts)

Make the Dough

Shape

Fry

Fill & Dust

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Tips & Tricks

FAQS