Because Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Paczki Day is coming up soon, I thought I'd post the paczki recipe I have for making homemade paczki. They're time consuming, but totally worth it. I know, because I've made them before!
Paczki Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 envelope yeast
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Tablespoon grated lemon or orange rind
- 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted & cooled
- 2 Tablespoon vodka
- 3 cups flour, divided
- Vegetable oil or shortening for frying
- Thick fruit jam for filling (traditionally plum)
Paczki Instructions
In a small saucepan, heat milk and sugar to 115 degrees. Add yeast, set aside for 5 minutes until yeast foams. Pour into mixing bowl. Stir in egg yolks, salt, vanilla, rind, butter & vodka. Stir until smooth. Beat in 2 cups flour, one at a time, until dough is smooth. Gradually add all but 2 Tablespoons of remaining flour.
Spread some of remaining flour on work surface. Knead lightly with scant amounts of flour for 1 to 2 minutes just until dough is smooth. Place in greased bowl, cover and set aside for 1-1/2 hours until doubled in bulk. Punch down and divide in half. Keep half covered. roll out other half of dough on very lightly floured surface until 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 2-2-1/2 inch biscuit cutter (or the top of a cup). Place rounds on lightly greased cookie sheet. Cover with waxed paper. repeat. Scraps can be rerolled after sitting for 10-15 minutes. Set aside to rise for 45-60 minutes, until light.
Heat 4-5 inches shortening or oil in
Let cool and slit with a knife. Squeeze gently to expand opening. Spoon 1 teaspoon filling into the slit. Dust generously with powdered sugar.
Makes about 32