Fluffy, Jam-Filled & Lightened-Up!
Paczki (pronounced pownch-key) are rich, pillowy Polish donuts traditionally enjoyed on Fat Thursday — the celebration before Lent begins.
This version skips the deep fryer in favor of baking, offering the same tender, yeasted dough and luscious jam or cream filling — with a fraction of the calories.
🍽️ Recipe Card
Yield: 10–12 Paczki
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour rise)
Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
✅ Ingredients
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1½ cups all-purpose flour
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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¼ teaspoon salt
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2 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
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¾ cup whole milk, warm (about 105–110°F)
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3 tablespoons vegetable oil
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2 egg yolks
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Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
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Jam or cream filling of your choice (strawberry, raspberry, custard, or Bavarian cream are traditional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
2️⃣ Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
Add the activated yeast mixture, egg yolks, and vegetable oil.
Mix until a sticky dough forms.
3️⃣ Knead & Rise
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes, until soft and elastic.
Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4️⃣ Shape the Paczki
Punch down the dough and roll it out to about ½-inch thickness.
Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out circles.
Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
Cover and let rise another 30 minutes.
5️⃣ Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
6️⃣ Fill & Finish
Once cooled slightly, use a pastry bag with a long tip to pipe jam or cream into the center of each paczek (singular).
Dust generously with confectioners’ sugar.
💡 Tips & Variations
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🍓 Classic Fillings: Raspberry jam, prune butter (powidła), or pastry cream.
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🧈 Richer Flavor: Substitute 1 tbsp of oil with melted butter.
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🍋 Citrus Twist: Add ½ tsp grated lemon zest to the dough for a fresh note.
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🍫 Dessert Lovers: Try chocolate ganache filling and dust with cocoa powder.
🌟 Why You’ll Love These Baked Paczki
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✅ Lighter than deep-fried versions
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✅ Perfectly soft and fluffy texture
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✅ Customizable with any filling
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✅ Easy to make — no fryer needed!
🧊 Storage
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Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
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Fridge: Keep up to 4 days — reheat gently before serving.
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Freezer: Freeze unfilled Paczki for up to 2 months. Thaw and fill fresh.
🧮 Nutrition (Per Paczek, Approx.)
Calories: 170 | Protein: 4g | Carbs: 28g | Fat: 5g | Sugar: 10g
❤️ Final Thoughts
These Baked Paczki bring all the comfort and sweetness of the traditional Polish treat — but without the heavy frying. Soft, golden, and bursting with your favorite filling, they’re perfect for Fat Thursday, Mardi Gras, or simply when you need a little sweet indulgence.