Baked Paczki (Polish Donuts)
Here’s how you can make baked paczki using the ingredients you’ve provided:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 packet)
- 3/4 cup whole milk, warm (not too hot for yeast)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 egg yolks
Optional Ingredients for Filling and Topping:
- Fruit preserves (such as raspberry, strawberry, or plum) for filling
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- A small amount of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (around 100°F/37°C) and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk and stir gently. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is activated.
2. Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center.
- Once the yeast mixture is frothy, pour it into the well along with the vegetable oil and egg yolks. Mix everything together until it forms a sticky dough.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can add a little more flour if needed, but be careful not to over-flour the dough.
4. First Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Paczki:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter (or a drinking glass), cut out circles of dough.
- To fill the paczki, take a spoonful of fruit preserves (or your filling of choice) and place it in the center of each dough circle. Pinch the edges together tightly to seal the filling inside. Roll each filled dough ball gently between your hands to smooth it out.
6. Second Rise:
- Place the shaped paczki on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they’re spaced apart. Cover with a towel again and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
7. Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the paczki for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. You may need to rotate the pan halfway through for even baking.
8. Topping (Optional):
- Once baked and cooled slightly, dust the paczki with powdered sugar, or if you’d like, you can drizzle with a simple glaze.
9. Serve:
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the soft, sweet, and flavorful baked paczki!
Baked paczki are a lighter alternative to the traditional fried version, but they still have that delicious flavor and are perfect for any occasion, especially around Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) when paczki are traditionally enjoyed!
