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Paczki (Polish Donuts)

A plate of packzi donuts

5 from 1 review

These homemade Paczki are rich, slightly buttery, and stuffed with strawberry marmalade. Deep-fried and dusted with confectioners sugar, these Polish donuts are a real treat!

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 5 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 ½ cups flour
  • 4 tsp active dry yeast
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp distilled spirit, or 4 tbsp alcohol, or 1 tsp vinegar, or lemon juice of ½ lemon
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 7 oz thick strawberry marmalade
  • 4 cups of canola oil for frying

Instructions

Making the Dough

  1. In a large bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, mix together on medium speed egg, egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy (approx 10 minutes).
  2. In a separate bowl mix together flour, dry active yeast and salt.
  3. Add the flour mixture, milk and distilled spirit to the egg mixture. Change the whisk attachment to the hook attachment and knead the dough for at least 10 minutes. The dough should be shiny, smooth and air bubbles should be visible on the surface.
  4. Melt and chill the butter. Start working the melted butter into the dough. Add a teaspoon at a time, while kneading on low speed. Only add another teaspoon once the previous one has incorporated well. Knead for one more minute. Cover with a cloth and set aside for 15 minutes to let the dough start rising.

Shaping the Donuts

  1. Prepare a few plates and chopping boards. Sprinkle them with flour and set aside.
  2. Start making the pączki as soon as the dough starts rising. Scoop a tablespoon of the dough, shape a small, approx. 3.5 inch pancake, add a teaspoon of the strawberry marmalade in the middle, pinch the donut close and roll into a ball. Place the donut with the closing facing downwards on a chopping board previously sprinkled with flour. Repeat with the remaining dough. Once all the donuts are shaped, cover them with a cloth and leave to rise for 10-15 minutes.

Frying the Donuts

  1. In a wide, large pot set over a low heat, heat up the oil for frying. When the oil reaches a temperature of 360°F, start frying the donuts. Brush the donut off any remaining flour, place it in the pot with the pinch closing on top. Place 4-5 donuts, to make sure there is sufficient space between them. Cover with a lid and fry for a maximum of 2 minutes. Turn the donuts around and continue frying for 1-1.5 more minutes, without the lid. Take the donuts out on a plate layered with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Make sure to monitor the temperature of oil throughout the entire process of baking the donuts, increasing or decreasing the heat as and when necessary.
  2. When the donuts have chilled, sprinkle with some icing sugar. Enjoy!

Keywords: paczki, paczki donuts, polish donuts