Description
Polish Baked Paczki are a lighter, healthier version of the traditional fried Polish doughnuts. Filled with homemade custard or jam, these fluffy donuts are coated in butter and sugar, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating Fat Tuesday or just craving something sweet, these baked paczki will satisfy your doughnut cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Extra flour for dusting as needed
For the Coating:
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
For the Custard Filling:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes bubbly and activates. - Mix the Dough:
Add vegetable oil, egg yolks, vanilla extract, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine, then knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. - Rest the Dough:
Cover the dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. - Make the Custard Filling:
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, milk, and egg yolk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 1½ minutes until the mixture thickens into a custard. Remove from heat and let it cool in the refrigerator. - Shape the Doughnuts:
Roll the dough to about ½-inch thick. Using a round cutter, cut out circles of dough. Place the circles on a greased baking sheet and cover them with a towel to rise for 1 hour. - Bake the Paczki:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the paczki for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. - Coat and Fill:
Brush the warm paczki with melted butter and roll them in sugar. Once the paczki are cool enough to handle, use a piping bag or small spoon to fill them with the custard or your choice of jam.
Notes
- Filling Options: If you prefer, you can fill the paczki with fruit jam such as raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry instead of custard.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough and custard the day before. Simply store the dough in the refrigerator overnight and allow it to rise before shaping and baking.
- Storage: Store leftover paczki in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the unfilled, baked paczki and thaw before filling.
- Gluten-Free Option: If you need a gluten-free option, try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You may need to adjust the amount of flour and liquid slightly for the right dough consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 paczek
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg