Paczki (Jelly Donuts)
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5
16 reviews
Excellent
Paczki (Jelly Donuts)
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Paczki are rich, fluffy Polish jelly donuts made with a yeast dough enriched by butter, eggs, and milk. They have a soft, tender texture with a lightly sweetened exterior and can be filled with fruit jams, custard, or chocolate. The dough is proofed and fried to golden perfection, then coated in sugar for added sweetness and crunch.
Description
The Paczki recipe starts with proofing yeast in warm water and sugar, which activates it for rising. The dough combines warm milk, butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt with flour to create a sticky, soft dough kneaded until smooth. After the initial rise, the dough is shaped into rounds and fried in hot oil until golden on both sides.
Once fried, the paczki are coated while still warm with granulated sugar that adheres well and provides a crunchy surface. They are then filled with any variety of jams, pastry creams, or other sweet fillings using a piping method. This produces a tender, airy dough with a crisp outside and a sweet, creamy or fruity center.
Paczki are traditionally enjoyed fresh as a celebratory treat. They can be stored or frozen before sugaring and filling and quickly refreshed by warming before filling and serving. Variations include glazing or using powdered sugar coatings. These donuts require time for rising but yield a satisfying, classic pastry perfect for holidays or special occasions.
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water between 100 and 110°F, warm
- 4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar divided (100g)
- 1 1/2 cups milk warm, whole
- 1/2 cup butter melted, salted
- 1 egg large
- 3 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour scooped and leveled (705 to 776g)
- canola oil for frying (or vegetable or peanut oil)
- granulated sugar for coating the outside of the donuts, additional
- raspberry jam for filling, etc
- Nutella
- apple pie filling
- lemon curd
- pastry cream
Instructions
- Combine the yeast, warm water, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minute until foamy to proof.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, warm milk, butter, egg, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Add the proofed yeast and 2 cups of the flour, then beat using the paddle attachment for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
- Switch to the dough hook and continue to add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, kneading between additions. Once the flour has been added, knead on medium-low speed for about 5 minutes until smooth. The dough will be sticky and soft, but should start to clean off the side of the bowl. You can also knead by hand for 7-9 minutes on a lightly floured surface instead. If the dough is really sticking to the bowl, you can add a little more flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is workable. But for the lightest paczki, try not to add too much flour.
- Transfer the paczki dough to a clean, lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours or in the fridge overnight.
- Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to about 1/2-inch thick. Use a 3- to 3 1/2-inch round biscuit or donut cutter (or cup or lid about that size) to cut out rounds, then place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper with space between them to rise. You may need to dip the cutter into flour between each cut so it doesn't stick to the dough.
- Cover the circles of dough loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for 30-60 minutes until puffy and doubled in size. Or place them in the fridge for a slow proof overnight so they are ready to fry in the morning.
- Heat about 3 inches of oil over medium heat in a large cast iron skillet to 325 to 350°F. Fry 3-5 donuts at a time for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip and fry for another 1-2 minutes on the second side until golden brown with a pale stripe around the middle.
- Transfer the fried paczki to a paper towel-lined baking sheet with a wire slotted spoon to drain excess oil. Toss in granulated sugar while still hot. Or let cool completely, then roll or dust in powdered sugar.
- Fit a piping bag fitted with an open piping tip and fill with your filling of choice. Stick the piping tip into the side of a donut and squeeze until the filling starts to pool at the top of the donut. If you have a hard time getting your piping bag into the side of your paczki you can make a slit with a knife to get things started.
- Serve immediately for best results, or store upright at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- This recipe yields 16-20 paczki, making plenty to share or store.
- To halve the recipe, use 1 egg and 1 egg yolk instead of whole eggs.
- Coating with granulated sugar immediately after frying provides a crunchy finish; powdered sugar is best applied once cooled to avoid melting.
- Fillings can include fruit jams like raspberry, strawberry, and apricot, or creamy options like pastry cream or Nutella.
- For freezing, wait to coat with sugar and fill; thawed paczki can be reheated gently before filling.
- Overnight dough refrigeration enhances flavor; cover to prevent drying.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
272kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
64mg
(21%)
Sodium
214mg
(9%)
Potassium
118mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
278IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
41mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16-20 paczki
Amount Per Serving
Calories 272 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 272kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 64mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 214mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 118mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 278IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 41mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
16 reviews
Excellent
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