Paczki: Polish Doughnuts

Paczki is a traditional Polish pastry filled with a sweet center. Usually fried, this recipe is baked to soft, golden perfection.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Polish

Keyword doughnut, Harry Potter

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Resting Time 1 10

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 242kcal

Author Stephanie Lynch

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, yeast, and 1 1/2 cups of flour
In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium until it reaches about 110F
Pour the warm milk, oil, egg yolks, and vanilla extract into the large mixing bowl with the dry ingredients
Use an electric mixer and whisk on high for 2 minutes
Slowly stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of flour, as needed, until the dough comes together
Lightly flour a clean work surface and knead the dough about 50 times
Cover the dough with a clean, dry towel and let it rest for about 10 minutes
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat
Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thick
Use a 2 1/2 inch round-cutter to make circles in the dough then place on the prepared pan
Re-roll the scraps and continue until all of the dough is used
Cover the dough with a clean, dry dish towel and let it rise for about one hour
Preheat the oven to 375F. Bake the doughnuts for about 10 minutes, until they are just starting to turn golden and puff up
Melt the butter and place the sugar for coating on a shallow plate
As soon as the doughnuts come out of the oven, brush with the melted butter
Flip each doughnut over and roll the tops in the sugar to coat
Place the coated doughnuts on a wire cooling rack to let cool slightly before filling
Fill a pastry bag or cake decorator with your choice of jam flavor. Gently push the tip into each doughnut and squeeze to fill
Serve immediately as these taste best when they are fresh and still warm