Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday – Paczki Day is this coming Tuesday, March 4th. I have not had time to make something new so I am reposting this recipe from January 23, 2012. The pictures are of two of my grandkids who helped me make these yummy treats some time ago. As you can see we had a lot of fun making them and they were scrumptious! Next year a King Cake for sure 🙂
Mardi Gras is an annual Carnival celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana and is French for “Fat Tuesday” which is the day for indulging in rich, fatty foods before the season of Lent begins. “Gras” is French for fat and “Mardi” is French for Tuesday. Eating Paczki, it is pronounced “poonch-kee”, is one way of celebrating “Fat Tuesday”. These are Polish donuts and are eaten on “Paczki Day” which coincides with “Fat Tuesday”. It is actually a legal holiday in New Orleans and has been an annual event for two centuries, except during the two World Wars.
They are available in stores across the country right now – so it is hard not to buy a box! So, try some homemade Paczki – you and your family will not be disappointed.
Paczki
- 4-1/2 tsp. instant yeast
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp. non-fat dry milk
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tbsp. shortening
- 3/4 cup unbleached pastry flour
- 1-1/2 cups bread flour
- jam or jelly of your choice for stuffing (or you could make a pastry cream)
- sugar for dusting or make a yummy chocolate frosting
Combine the yeast, sugar, milk, salt, baking powder, egg, water, shortening and pastry flour. Add enough of the bread flour to form a cohesive dough, and knead the dough until it is smooth and supple, adding additional flour as needed. Cover the dough and allow it to rest for 1 hour, punch the dough down (the fun part). Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces; round each piece into a ball, then flatten each ball slightly. Place the balls on a lightly greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet; cover and allow then to rest for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. They will not rise a lot.
Heat the oil in a large frying skillet to 365°F. Fry the paczki, 2 to 4 at a time for 3 minutes on each side, or until they are a very deep brown. Transfer them to paper towels and drain.
When the paczki are cool enough to handle, fill them with about 2 tbsp. of jam, if desired. Use your cookie press equipped with a filling tube to make a small hole in the doughnut and spoon the jelly into the middle. Roll in sugar or make a chocolate sauce for the top.
These were a definite hit!
Makes 8 doughnuts
Fat Tuesday already? Yikes! There’s a bakery near here that makes the best paczki, THE BEST! I’ve never even thought of trying to make them, but with your recipe at hand, I might give it a try. Thanks, Juju!
You are welcome Angie. I was so tempted to buy a box when I was shopping yesterday, but I controlled myself 🙂
I love paczki!! What a wonderful recipe.. And gorgeous grand kids!! 🙂
Thanks so much – kids are always fun to cook/bake with. Gosh, how can you not like paczki – however, my waistline does not like them 🙂
I had these once in Boston and haven’t seen them since! Your grandkids are so cute! We have a King cake every year at work; it’s always fun to see who gets the hidden baby.
I wanted to make a King Cake this year as I have been collecting recipes for the past year or two. I have some “babies”, the colored sugars – just need to find time to make it. I always like help in my kitchen and what better way than with kids 🙂
These look great. I attempted a King Cake this weekend. Turned out really good. http://theoptimistichousehusband.wordpress.com/2014/03/02/my-first-king-cake-for-mardi-gras/
A King Cake (would be my first too) is what I wanted to make this year but time wise I just reposted a Paczki recipe. I will have to check your post as I do want to make one of those fun cakes next year for sure.
Oh what fun you have in your kitchen! Love it!
I sure do Patty 🙂
Totally my weakness! I’m sure these were incredible!! Fried dough – there is nothing like it 🙂
Mine too Lisa – who does not like a fried Paczki filled with jelly or cream or… 🙂
So fun to learn about your traditions! Here in Finland we make “laskiaspulla” for Fat Tuesday which are round sweet bread buns sliced in half and filled with whipped cream and a spoonful of either almond paste or jam.
How interesting to learn about your tradition for “Fat Tuesday”. The bread buns sound delicious and healthier than deep frying donuts. However, it is the day to indulge! I have been meeting some every interesting people through Angie’s Fiesta Fridays. Thanks for your comment and some history from your country 🙂
Nice recipe .. and adorable grand kids 🙂
Thanks – Mardi Gras is always a time for celebration 🙂
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing this recipe and the photos
Thanks a bunch – we had a great time making them 🙂