Paczki
Singular Noun is Paczek (pohn-check)
Plural Noun is Paczki (punch-key)
On El Morno, yesterday, I mentioned buying Paczki and some of you were unfamiliar with the pastry and its Polish tradition…allow me to introduce you to the Paczki…
Paczki are pastries traditional to Polish cuisine. They were baked to use up lard and sugar in advance of the Lenten period of fasting and abstinence. The custom dates back as far as the 1600s. Paczki are typically enjoyed throughout “carnival time,” leading up to Lent, but will fry up to their full jelly filled glory on Fat Tuesday which will fall on March 4, this year
Description of a Paczki: Deep-fried pieces of dough shaped into flattened spheres and filled with a sweet filling. Traditional fillings include: rosehip, prune, apricot, strawberry, raspberry or sweet cheese filling. However, these days, they come in flavors ranging from lemon to chocolate. They are a lot like the American doughnut.
Chicago has a huge Polish population so finding Paczki are never a problem. But if you can’t find them…I have procured a recipe for you from a Polish Babcia (who said she google it–because she orders her Paczki from the bakery).
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
2 rises: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours, 51 minutes
Yield: 2 dozenPaczki
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups warm milk (no warmer than 110 degrees)
2 packages active dry yeast (remember to proof yeast before you begin)
1/2 cup sugar
4 ounces (1 stick) room-temperature butter
1 large room-temperature egg
3 large room-temperature egg yolks
1 tablespoon brandy or rum
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 gallon oil for deep frying
Granulated sugar (optional)
Confectioner’s sugar (optional)
Fruit paste for filling (optional)
Preparation:
Add yeast to warm milk, stir to dissolve and set aside. In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs, brandy and salt until well-incorporated.
Still using the paddle attachment, add 4 1/2 cups flour alternately with the milk-yeast mixture and beat for 5 or more minutes by machine and longer by hand until smooth. My grandmother used to beat the dough with a wooden spoon until it blistered. Dough will be very slack. If too soft, add remaining 1/2 cup flour, but no more.
Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 hours or follow this Quick Tip to cut the rise time. Punch down and let rise again.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Pat or roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut rounds with 3-inch biscuit cutter. Remove scraps, and re-roll and re-cut. Cover and let rounds rise until doubled in bulk, 30 minutes or longer.
Heat oil to 350 degrees in large skillet or Dutch oven. Place pączki top-side down (the dry side) in the oil a few at a time and fry 2 to 3 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. Flip them over and fry another 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure the oil doesn’t get too hot so the exterior doesn’t brown before the interior is done. Test a cool one to make sure it’s cooked through. Adjust cooking time and oil heat accordingly.
Drain pączki on paper towels or brown paper bags, and roll in granulated sugar while still warm. Note: You can poke a hole in the side of the pączki and, using a pastry bag, squeeze in a dollop of the filling of choice. Then dust filled pączki with granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar or glaze.
Pączki don’t keep well, so gobble them up the same day you make them or freeze.
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And now you know. . .
Speaking of El Morno, it will be back tomorrow. I am off on a June Bug road trip. We are heading out to West Chicago, the Bug is visiting Fox Valley Volkswagen for autographs. It was decided that I will ride shot gun in my van. Don’t feel too sorry for Cole–I bought him TOE WARMERS and of-course hand warmers. He will meet, greet, show off the Bug and I will head to the nearest Starbucks until it is time to motor home. A little snow won’t stop the June Bug (Please, let this be so….). I have confidence (or at least I am working on it!).
Odd Loves Company!
Chicago Bakery: Maier’s Bakery
Morno,
Reclaiming my first place spot. We lived next door to a Polish family for years and they always brought a few Paczki on Fat Tuesday. It was a treat I’ve not forgotten. I will check at the bakery on Monday.
Good luck with the Bug. I’m sure there will be a story or two.
Welcome back to El Morno Mike! You were missed. What will your homecoming dinner be? I hope its not ham, spam and spider ghoulee
Oh there is a story about the Bug…I’m sure Cole will tell it.
Hi Katybeth!
Thank you so much for clearing up the confusion. I’ve gotten a few emails about my pinning for Paczki links. Some think they should be pinned for my donut day board and others for Fat Tuesday. So far, I have been pinning to both to keep everyone happy:) I will be pinning your wonderful explanation to my Pancake Board (I know even more confusing) which I have been using for all Lent affiliated links. Thank you again and enjoy your weekend. Louise
P.S. You have a delicious blog. I have been “lurking”way tooooo long:)
Thanks Louise. Glad you dropped by…and the good news where you pin Paczki they are tasty!
I’ve never had Paczki, but it sounds delicious. No Polish blood in my family tree, and Central Illinois wasn’t really settled by the Poles, so I guess that’s why I’m not familiar with it.
Best wishes for a successful road trip with June Bug! This will be good for Cole, and I’m sure June will enjoy the attention (and you’ll enjoy the Starbuck’s, ha!)
It was the road trip that never got out of the garage. Bad Bug. I bet one of your bakeries will have Pacski or the grocery store. If they don’t just have a donut filled with whatever you like. Sugar on top is good, too!
Oh yeah. I remember what a Paczki is. I could definitely find a filling or 7 I could devour.
Fingers crossed (mine are not frozen here) Miss Bug behaves & putters sweetly.
Stay warm!
Hateful bad bug. Did NOT start. Cole is writing a blog post about our-his day.
Surely there has to be a bakery or grocery store in your neighborhood that has Paczki for sale—-
I tried liking June, I really did, but face it she’s just not that likeable! She’s similar to a person you think your really going to like, and then they let you down at every turn. I hope after March 7th Cole put her little head on the block, and sells her fast and cheap!
TTFN
MJ
Well you nailed a pretty good description of June Bug. Fortunately, Cole made enough money in autographs today, to buy and install the starter. Actually, she reminds me a lot of Fancy and I suspect Cole will feel the same why I did when we sold Fancy.