Pączki
AI-generated image
Vegetarian Polish

Pączki

Tender Polish filled doughnuts with a golden, lightly crisp shell and a rich, buttery crumb. Fill them with raspberry or rose-petal jam, then finish with a snowy veil of confectioners' sugar.

60 min 10 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Stir the lukewarm milk, 1 teaspoon of the sugar, and the yeast in a small bowl. Leave for 5 to 8 minutes, until a creamy foam forms on the surface.
2
Mix the flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the foamy yeast mixture, egg, egg yolk, and cooled butter, then mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth, elastic, and still slightly tacky. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 60 to 75 minutes, until doubled.
4
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently press out the air. Divide it into 10 equal pieces, about 80 g each, and shape each into a smooth ball. Place on a parchment-lined tray, cover, and proof for 30 to 40 minutes, until visibly puffy.
5
Heat the oil in a deep, heavy pot to 170°C. Use a thermometer and keep the oil between 165°C and 175°C throughout frying.
6
Fry the pączki in batches of 2 or 3 for about 2 minutes per side, turning once, until evenly deep golden brown. Adjust the heat as needed and confirm the centers reach at least 74°C.
Pączki frying until evenly golden brown AI-generated image
7
Transfer the doughnuts to a paper-lined rack and cool for at least 20 minutes, until warm rather than hot. Spoon the jam into a piping bag fitted with a narrow tip, pierce the side of each doughnut, and pipe in about 1 tablespoon of filling.
8
Dust the filled pączki generously with confectioners' sugar and serve the same day, while the crumb is at its softest.
Sugar-dusted Polish pączki with raspberry filling AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

A rich, lightly sweetened yeast dough produces a soft, aromatic interior, while a short rest after shaping helps the pączki puff evenly in the oil. A moderate frying temperature browns the outside before the center dries out.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Store filled pączki in a covered container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For the best texture, do not refrigerate unless the filling is perishable.

How to reheat it

Warm one pączek in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds, or heat in a 150°C oven for 5 minutes. Do not overheat, as the filling can become very hot.

Nutrition / serving

334kcal
6.26 gprotein
53.38 gcarbs
10.49 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 17 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026