Irresistible Polish Baked Paczki (Donuts) Recipe for Sweet Fans

These delightful Polish baked paczki have been my weekend obsession since discovering their irresistible charm.

Fluffy clouds of sweet dough dance with traditional flavor and modern baking magic.

Culinary traditions from poland whisper through each delicate bite.

Soft, pillowy pastries emerge golden and tempting from the oven.

Filled with rich custard or sweet jam, these treats invite pure indulgence.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen swirl around these delectable (donuts).

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this delightful recipe.

Polish Baked Paczki (Donuts) Essentials

• Customize with Creativity: Switch between custard and fruity jam fillings, giving you endless flavor possibilities to match your mood or pantry ingredients.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe perfect for home bakers of all skill levels, allowing everyone to create delicious Polish pastries without stress.
• Cultural Connection on a Plate: Experience a slice of Polish culinary heritage through these authentic, homemade donuts that connect you to generations of family cooking traditions.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or weekend breakfast treats that will impress family and friends with minimal complicated techniques.

Ingredients for Polish Baked Paczki

• Milk: A warm liquid that helps activate the yeast and provides moisture to the dough.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps feed the yeast for proper rising.
• Yeast: A crucial ingredient that helps the dough rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Flour: The main structural component that gives the paczki its shape and body.
• Oil: Adds tenderness and helps keep the dough soft.
• Egg Yolks: Provide richness, color, and help bind the ingredients together.

• Sugar, Cornstarch: Essential components for creating a smooth, thick custard filling.
• Milk: Creates the base for the creamy custard.
• Egg Yolk: Helps thicken and enrich the custard filling.
• Melted Butter, Sugar: Used for coating the paczki to add a delicious exterior.

• Raspberry Jam, Strawberry Jam: Delightful alternative fillings for those who prefer fruity flavors.

How to Bake Polish Paczki Donuts

Step 1: Activate the Yeast Magic

• Warm milk
• Sugar
• Yeast

Stir everything together and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy. This magical moment awakens the yeast and prepares it for dough transformation.

Step 2: Create the Silky Dough

• Oil
• Egg yolks
• Vanilla extract
• Flour
• Salt

Mix the ingredients until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, creating a smooth and elastic texture.

If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Custard

• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Milk
• Egg yolk

Whisk the ingredients until completely smooth. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring constantly.

Once it starts to thicken, continue cooking for an additional 1½ minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate the custard to cool completely.

Step 4: Shape and Prepare the Paczki

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out the dough to a half-inch thickness and cut circular shapes using a round cutter. Arrange the dough circles on the baking sheet, leaving space between them.

Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour until puffy.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake the paczki for 10-12 minutes until the tops turn a beautiful golden color. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool slightly.

Step 6: Add Delicious Finishing Touches

Brush the warm paczki with melted butter and roll them in sugar. Once completely cooled, fill each donut with custard using a pastry bag or spoon.

Alternatively, use fruit jam like raspberry or strawberry for variety.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

Serve the Polish Baked Paczki immediately alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

These delightful treats are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or sharing with loved ones.

Tips for Soft Paczki Donuts

• Ensure milk is warm (not hot) to help yeast bloom without killing it, creating a soft, fluffy dough texture.
• Work the dough gently on a floured surface to develop gluten without overworking, which keeps paczki tender and light.
• Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot to achieve optimal volume and prevent deflation during baking.
• Swap custard for fruit preserves, chocolate cream, or nutella to create exciting flavor variations that suit different tastes.
• Use melted butter and sugar while paczki are still warm to ensure maximum flavor absorption and a delightful crispy exterior.

Variations on Polish Baked Paczki

• Gluten-Free Paczki: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain its structure.
• Vegan Polish Donuts: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace egg yolks with mashed banana or applesauce. Fill with dairy-free coconut cream custard.
• Chocolate-Stuffed Paczki: Replace traditional custard filling with rich chocolate ganache or Nutella. Dust with powdered cocoa instead of sugar for an intense chocolate experience.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in the dough and filling. Replace regular sugar coating with a light sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor without extra calories.

Pairings for Paczki Donuts

• Pair these sweet Polish paczki with a robust espresso or dark roast coffee. The strong, rich coffee cuts through the sweetness and complements the creamy custard filling perfectly.
• Serve alongside a small glass of chilled raspberry or plum liqueur. The fruity alcohol provides a delightful contrast to the sugary donut and adds a sophisticated Polish touch.
• Accompany the paczki with fresh berries and a light vanilla yogurt. The tangy yogurt balances the richness of the donuts while adding a refreshing element to the meal.

Storage Guidelines for Paczki

• Store paczki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Wrap each paczki individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Place paczki on a baking sheet and warm for 5-7 minutes. This helps restore their slightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender.

FAQs

• What are paczki traditionally associated with in Polish culture?

Paczki are closely linked to Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek) in Poland, a day of feasting before Lent where people indulge in rich, sweet pastries as a way to use up ingredients like eggs, sugar, and lard before the fasting period begins.

• Can I make paczki without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can easily make paczki by hand. Knead the dough manually on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The key is to develop the gluten by working the dough consistently.

• Why do paczki need to rise twice?

The double rising process helps develop flavor and creates a lighter, airier texture.

Polish Baked Paczki (Donuts) Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Heavenly Polish Paczki donuts deliver a sweet carnival celebration of rich, pillowy dough filled with luscious jam and dusted with powdered sugar. Rich cultural traditions shine through each delectable bite, inviting you to savor Poland’s beloved pastry treasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1½ cups (360 milliliters) flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) warm milk

Leavening and Flavoring:

• 2 teaspoons yeast
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons oil

Sweeteners and Coating:

• ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
• ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

Extras:

• Extra flour for kneading

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by mixing warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Wait 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly, which signals the yeast is ready.
2. Create dough by incorporating oil, egg yolks, vanilla extract, flour, and salt. Mix thoroughly until a cohesive mixture forms.
3. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, adding extra flour if needed to prevent sticking. The dough should become smooth and elastic.
4. Allow dough to rest, covered with a kitchen towel, for 10-15 minutes to relax the gluten.
5. Prepare custard by whisking sugar, cornstarch, milk, and egg yolk in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture boils and thickens.
6. Remove custard from heat and refrigerate completely while preparing other components.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or light grease.
8. Roll dough to half-inch thickness and cut into 2-3 inch circles using a round cutter.
9. Arrange dough circles on the baking sheet with spacing between them. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until nearly doubled in size.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes until tops turn golden. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
11. While warm, brush paczki with melted butter and coat with sugar.
12. Once cooled, fill donuts with custard or fruit jam using a pastry bag or spoon.
13. Serve immediately with coffee or tea, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Notes

• Ensure milk is lukewarm to activate yeast properly without killing it, which prevents dough from rising correctly.
• Use room temperature eggs for smoother mixing and better dough consistency when preparing the paczki.
• Replace wheat flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, maintaining similar texture and taste.
• Add a pinch of cardamom or orange zest to custard filling for an extra layer of traditional Polish flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Polish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg