Pączki

Pączki are delectable, traditional filled doughnuts from Polish cuisine. These deep-fried confections are carefully shaped into spheres and typically filled with sweet jams or creams. They are often dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with icing or glaze, or garnished with bits of dried orange zest. The dough for pączki is rich and indulgent, crafted with ingredients such as eggs, fat, sugar, yeast, and occasionally milk. Classic fillings include powidła (stewed plum jam) and wild rose petal jam, though popular variations like strawberry, Bavarian cream, blueberry, custard, raspberry, and apple are also common.

The term "pączki" is Polish, and intriguingly, it is used both for the singular and plural in English. In Poland, these doughnuts are especially popular on Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Ash Wednesday. In North America, cities with significant Polish communities, such as Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo, celebrate Pączki Day on Fat Tuesday. These festivities often feature parades, eating contests, and long lines at local bakeries as enthusiasts eagerly await these delightful pastries.

Pączki have gained considerable popularity in the United States, largely due to Polish immigrants and strategic marketing by bakeries. You can typically find them on sale in bakeries on Fat Tuesday and Fat Thursday in areas with prominent Polish populations, including Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. These delightful doughnuts have become a cherished treat in many parts of the U.S. where Polish culture holds a strong influence.