Easy Polish Baked Paczki Recipe: Sweet Homemade Donuts

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through my mind when I think about delectable polish baked paczki that symbolize pure celebration.

Soft, pillowy pastries burst with unexpected charm and cultural richness.

Delicate dough transforms into golden puffs that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Traditional recipes carry whispers of polish festivities and warm family gatherings.

Simple ingredients combine into magical treats that surprise even seasoned bakers.

Fragrant and light, these donuts promise a delightful journey into polish culinary traditions.

You’ll fall in love with every sweet, tender bite of these irresistible pastries.

Why Polish Baked Paczki Are Worth the Effort

• Bake with Ease: Skip traditional deep-frying and use a simple baking method that reduces mess and oil splatter, making this recipe more approachable for home bakers.
• Customize Your Filling: Swap custard for your favorite jam or cream, creating a personalized treat that suits every family member's taste preferences.
• Family Baking Adventure: Engage kids and adults in the fun process of rolling dough, cutting shapes, and filling donuts, turning cooking into a delightful shared experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or weekend brunches, these Polish donuts bring a touch of homemade comfort and cultural tradition to any occasion.

Ingredients for Traditional Baked Paczki

• Flour: A essential ingredient that provides structure and texture to the paczki dough.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps activate the yeast for a soft, tender donut.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness, color, and a smooth texture to the paczki.
• Yeast: A crucial leavening agent that helps the dough rise and develop a light, airy texture.

• Sugar, Vanilla: Enhance the overall sweetness and add a warm, comforting flavor to the donuts.

• Oil, Salt, Cornstarch: Provide moisture, balance flavor, and help thicken the custard filling.

How to Make Soft and Sweet Baked Paczki

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• Warm milk
• Sugar
• Yeast

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl and let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbles form, indicating the yeast is active and ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

• Oil
• Egg yolks
• Vanilla
• Flour
• Salt

Mix all ingredients into the yeast mixture until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently for 5 minutes. Cover the dough and allow it to rest and relax for 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Custard

• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Milk
• Egg yolk

In a saucepan, blend sugar and cornstarch. Slowly incorporate milk and egg yolk, stirring continuously.

Cook over medium heat, constantly stirring until the mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Refrigerate the custard for a minimum of 30 minutes to set.

Step 4: Roll and Prepare Dough Circles

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface until it reaches approximately 1/2 inch thickness.

Use a round cutter to create perfect dough circles. Place the circles on a greased baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let them rise for about 1 hour.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Bake the paczki for 10-12 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 6: Decorate and Fill

Brush the warm donuts with melted butter, then roll them in sugar for a delightful sweet coating. Once slightly cooled, use a piping bag to inject each donut with luxurious custard filling or your favorite fruity jam.

Best Tips for Baking Fluffy Paczki Donuts

• Use lukewarm milk to activate yeast properly, ensuring a soft and fluffy paczki texture.
• Knead the dough gently to prevent overworking, which can make the donuts tough and dense.
• Chill the custard filling completely before piping to maintain a thick, creamy consistency.
• Dust donuts with powdered sugar instead of granulated for a more delicate and elegant finish.
• Allow paczki to cool slightly before filling to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy and preserve the crisp exterior.

Fun Fillings and Twists on Paczki Donuts

• Gluten-Free Paczki: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend using almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Polish Donuts: Swap egg yolks with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based milk, and create a coconut cream filling as an alternative.
• Low-Sugar Polish Treats: Substitute regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, use sugar-free jam for filling, and reduce overall sugar content.
• Chocolate-Infused Paczki: Add cocoa powder to the dough, create a chocolate custard filling, and dust with powdered chocolate instead of sugar for a rich variation.

What to Enjoy with Baked Paczki

• Savor Sweet Companions: Drink and Food Pairings
• Brew Perfect Coffee Match: Rich, medium-roast Polish coffee complements the sweet paczki's delicate custard filling, cutting through the richness with smooth, robust notes.
• Enhance Dessert Experience: Sprinkle powdered cinnamon or nutmeg over the paczki to elevate the flavor profile, creating a warm, aromatic sensation that amplifies the traditional Polish pastry.
• Balanced Beverage Pairing: Chilled Polish vodka with a subtle fruit essence like cherry or plum provides a traditional accompaniment, balancing the donuts' sweetness with a crisp, clean finish.
• Textural Contrast Plate: Serve alongside tart raspberry compote or fresh berries to introduce a bright, acidic element that refreshes the palate between bites of the rich, creamy paczki.

How to Store Freshly Baked Paczki

• Store leftover paczki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Place paczki in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. Freeze unfilled donuts for best results.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed paczki at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Wrap loosely in aluminum foil to prevent drying and maintain softness. Check occasionally to avoid overheating.

FAQs

• Are paczki different from regular donuts?

Paczki are richer and denser Polish pastries made with more eggs and butter, creating a more luxurious texture compared to standard donuts.

• Can I make paczki without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. Just ensure you mix thoroughly and knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

• How do I know if my yeast is active?

The yeast mixture should become foamy and bubbly within 5-10 minutes when combined with warm milk and sugar. If no bubbles form, your yeast might be inactive or expired.

Polish Baked Paczki (Donuts) Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Polish Baked Paczki sparkle with sweet nostalgia, offering a delightful twist on traditional fried donuts. Pillowy dough filled with luscious jam and dusted with powdered sugar will transport you straight to Warsaw’s charming bakeries.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (350 grams) flour
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons yeast

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) warm milk
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Coating and Filling:

• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
• 1 egg yolk
• Extra flour (for kneading)

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast mixture by combining warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Allow the blend to become frothy and bubbly for 5-10 minutes.
2. Create a smooth dough by incorporating oil, egg yolks, vanilla, flour, and salt. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well integrated.
3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted surface and knead for approximately 5 minutes to develop gluten structure.
4. Let the dough relax and rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes to enhance elasticity.
5. Prepare the custard filling by whisking sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan.
6. Gradually introduce milk and egg yolk, stirring consistently to prevent lumps.
7. Cook the custard over medium heat, continuously stirring until the mixture reaches a boiling point and thickens, approximately 11-12 minutes.
8. Remove custard from heat and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
9. Roll out the rested dough on a floured surface to a uniform 1/2 inch thickness.
10. Cut circular shapes using a round cookie cutter.
11. Arrange dough circles on a greased baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel.
12. Allow paczki to rise and proof for about 1 hour in a warm environment.
13. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
14. Bake the paczki for 10-12 minutes until they achieve a golden-brown appearance.
15. Brush warm donuts with melted butter and coat generously with granulated sugar.
16. Once slightly cooled, use a piping bag to inject custard or jam filling into the center of each paczki.

Notes

• Activate quick-rising yeast by ensuring milk temperature is warm (110-115°F) to guarantee proper dough activation without killing yeast microorganisms.
• Select high-protein flour like bread flour for enhanced gluten development, creating lighter, airier paczki with superior texture and rise.
• Create dairy-free alternatives by substituting whole milk with almond or oat milk, maintaining similar protein and fat content for authentic consistency.
• Prevent filling leakage by allowing custard to completely cool and using a narrow piping tip inserted gently into donut’s side for precise filling technique.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Polish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 237
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 112 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg