19 Recipe For Paczki Polish Donuts Try These Culinary Delights!
Published on: Mar 31, 2024
Paczki, also known as Polish donuts, are a traditional treat enjoyed in Poland and by people of Polish descent all over the world. These deep-fried, jelly-filled pastries are a staple dessert during special occasions such as Fat Tuesday (also known as Paczki Day) and weddings. While they may seem daunting to make at first, with the right recipe and techniques, you can easily recreate these delicious donuts at home. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make paczki polish donuts, so you can enjoy this delectable treat in the comfort of your own kitchen.
To make approximately 20 paczki, you will need the following ingredients:
Dough:
- 4 and a half cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 and a quarter teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 1 cup of warm milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup of melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil works best)
Filling:
- Your choice of jam, jelly, or fruit filling (traditionally, paczki are filled with rosehip jam, plum butter, or raspberry jam)
Toppings:
- Powdered sugar or granulated sugar for dusting
- Optional: melted chocolate for drizzling
Equipment:
- Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (you can also mix and knead the dough by hand)
- Deep-fry thermometer
- Skimmer or slotted spoon
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Instructions
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and lemon zest.
3. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add in the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add in the flour mixture, a little at a time, and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
7. After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness.
8. Using a round cookie cutter or drinking glass, cut out circles of dough and place them on the lined baking sheet, leaving room for them to expand.
9. Cover the dough circles with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
10. In a large pot, heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Carefully place the risen dough circles into the hot oil using a skimmer or slotted spoon. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown.
12. Remove the paczki from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
13. Once they have cooled, use a piping bag or knife to fill the paczki with your desired filling.
14. Optional: Drizzle melted chocolate over the paczki for added sweetness.
15. Dust the paczki with powdered sugar or granulated sugar and enjoy!
In Conclusion
With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can now create your own paczki polish donuts at home. These delicious treats are perfect for any special occasion or as a sweet indulgence anytime. Be sure to share them with your friends and family and spread the joy of traditional Polish cuisine.
