How to Make the Perfect Fluffy Polish Jam Doughnuts Paczki
Polish · Hard · 110 min · 12 servings
Paczki are the gloriously indulgent deep-fried Polish doughnuts that are light as a cloud on the inside yet rich from a dough enriched with egg yolks, butter, and a splash of spirits. They are traditionally filled with rose hip jam or custard and finished with a glaze and candied orange peel.
Why this recipe works
This Fluffy Polish Jam Doughnuts Paczki recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 110 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 large egg yolks
- 0.75 cup warm milk
- 7 grams instant dry yeast
- 0.75 cup rose hip or strawberry jam
- 4 cups vegetable oil for deep frying
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Enriched Dough
Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let it foam for 5 minutes then add flour, egg yolks, 3 tablespoons of softened butter, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and a splash of rum or vodka. Knead for 12 minutes until the dough is silky smooth and slightly sticky then cover and let rise for 60 minutes until doubled.
Step 2: Shape and Fill
Turn the risen dough out and divide into 12 equal portions rolling each into a smooth ball. Flatten each ball into a disc, place a teaspoon of jam in the center, then gather the edges up around the filling and pinch very tightly to seal. Place seam-side down on a floured tray.
Step 3: Second Rise and Fry
Allow the shaped paczki to rise uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes until puffed. Heat oil in a deep heavy pot to exactly 175 degrees Celsius and fry 3 to 4 at a time for 2 to 3 minutes per side until evenly golden brown then remove with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Glaze and Finish
While the paczki are still warm mix powdered sugar with a splash of water and vanilla extract to make a thin glaze. Dip the top of each paczek into the glaze and place on a wire rack then scatter a few pieces of candied orange peel on top before the glaze sets.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- rose hip jam → any thick fruit jam such as plum or apricot for an accessible and equally delicious filling
- rum or vodka → orange juice for an alcohol-free version that still adds a subtle fruity depth to the dough
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Frying at too high a temperature which browns the outside rapidly while leaving the inside raw and doughy
- Not sealing the jam filling tightly enough which causes it to burst out into the hot oil during frying
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 6g protein, 44g carbs, 13g fat, 1g fiber.
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