🍩 Homemade Paczki Recipe – Polish Donuts
Paczki are traditional Polish donuts made with a rich, yeasted dough, deep-fried until golden brown, and filled with sweet jams, custards, or lemon curd. These soft and pillowy treats are perfect for Fat Tuesday or any special occasion.
Equipment
- Stand mixer (or mixing bowl and hand whisk)
- Rolling Pin
- Round cookie cutter or glass
- Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
- Piping bag with filling tip
- Slotted spoon (for removing Paczki from oil)
- Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup lukewarm milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- For Frying & Filling:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Fruit preserves raspberry, strawberry, or custard
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Make the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Add yeast and mix well.
- In a stand mixer, add flour and pour in the wet mixture. Using a dough hook, mix until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the bowl.
- Let the Dough Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Roll & Cut Dough
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to ¼ to ½ inch thickness.
- Use a round cutter or glass to cut out circles.
- Place on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Fry the Paczki
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry 5-6 at a time until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).
- Drain on paper towels.
- Fill & Coat
- Once cooled, fill each Paczki using a piping bag.
- Roll in powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
✔ Use lukewarm milk (100°F/38°C) to properly activate yeast.
✔ Do not overcrowd the fryer to ensure even cooking.
✔ For baked Paczki, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes instead of frying.
✔ Do not overcrowd the fryer to ensure even cooking.
✔ For baked Paczki, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes instead of frying.