Description
Delicious homemade Polish Pączki, a traditional yeast doughnut perfect for Christmas celebrations. These light and airy doughnuts are filled with your favorite jam and coated in a sweet glaze or powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Your favorite jam for filling
- Powdered sugar or glaze for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the remaining sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until combined.
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead in the softened butter until fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
- Place the dough balls on a floured surface, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the pączki in batches, about 3-4 at a time, for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Remove the pączki with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain.
- Once slightly cooled, use a piping bag or a sharp knife to make a small hole and fill each pączki with jam.
- Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze.
Notes
- Ensure your milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
- Do not overcrowd the pot when frying; this will lower the oil temperature and result in greasy pączki.
- For a richer dough, you can use whole milk.
- Pączki are best enjoyed fresh, the same day they are made.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pączek
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Sugar: Approximately 15-20g
- Sodium: Approximately 150-200mg
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 5-7g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 10-13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35-40g
- Fiber: Approximately 1-2g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 70-80mg
Keywords: Polish Pączki, Christmas doughnuts, yeast doughnuts, traditional Polish recipe, holiday baking, sweet fried dough, jam-filled doughnuts