Full Recipe
Author
Molly Marzalek-Kelly | 2025-12-29
Description
Enjoyed in Poland on Tłusty Czwartek (“Fat Thursday”), pączki are traditionally made to use up any lingering sugar and butter before Lent. In the U.S., these tender and fluffy doughnuts are a beloved treat for pre-Lent celebrations like Mardi Gras and Pączki Day, which is observed in cities with sizable Polish populations, like Chicago and Detroit. This enriched dough contains more eggs, milk, and butter than many doughnuts and yields airy rounds of fried dough that are perfect for filling with jam. While traditional pączki recipes contain a splash of vodka (thought to prevent excess oil absorption while the doughnuts fry), we've omitted it for simplicity. SAF Gold Instant Yeast ensures a reliable rise even in this relatively high-sugar dough.
