Pączki Pieczone - Baked Donuts

These soft baked doughnuts are a lighter, oven-baked alternative to traditional fried pączki. Made with a gently enriched yeast dough, they’re tender, fluffy, and delicately sweet, with a soft crumb that stays moist thanks to butter, egg yolks, and milk.

Once baked, the buns are filled with jam or marmalade (I used rose marmalade), then finished simply with powdered sugar or a fresh citrus glaze made from mandarin or lemon juice. The glaze adds a bright, fragrant contrast that pairs beautifully with the soft dough, while candied orange peel brings a festive touch.

Perfect for Fat Thursday, holidays, or everyday baking, these baked doughnuts are easy to prepare, less heavy than fried versions, and ideal for baking with kids. Best enjoyed fresh on the day they’re made, they’re wonderful with a cup of coffee or tea—and just sweet enough to satisfy without being overwhelming.

Ingredients:

Dough:

- 250 g cake flour 

- 50 g butter 

- 40 g granulated sugar 

- 7 g instant yeast

- 100 ml milk, room temperature or slightly warmed

- 2 egg yolks 

- Pinch of salt

Other ingredients / toppings

- jam or marmalade for filling

- candied orange peel

- 4 tbsp citrus juice 

- 100g powdered sugar for glaze

Instructions:

1. Make the dough:

- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yest, milk, egg yolks, butter, and sugar. 

- Mix with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.

- Knead the dough with a dough hook for at least 5 minutes or by hand. The dough should be smooth, slightly sticky, but elastic. 

- Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour.

2. Shape the buns:

- Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. 

- Form a smooth ball and divide into 9 equal portions (~50 g each). 

- Shape each portion into a smooth ball. If the surface is uneven, buns may crack while baking.

- Place dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each. 

- Gently flatten the top with your hand. Cover loosely with a cloth and let rise for 20–30 minutes while preheating the oven.

3. Bake the donutes:

- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F) with top/bottom heat. 

- Place the tray in the middle of the oven. 

- Bake for 20–25 minutes until risen and golden. 

- Remove the tray immediately after baking.

4. Fill and glaze:

- While buns are still warm, inject jam or marmalade using a wide syringe, piping bag, or disposable piping bag.

- Optional glaze: mix 4 tbsp citrus juice (mandarin or lemon) with 4 heaping tbsp powdered sugar (~110 g). Brush lightly on warm buns. Sprinkle with candied orange peel if desired.

- If only dusting with powdered sugar, do this after the buns have completely cooled.

5. Storage:

- Fully cooled buns can be wrapped in parchment and stored in a bag or container at room temperature. No need to refrigerate. 

- Best eaten the day they are baked, but they remain tasty the next day.

Tips:

- Use warm but not hot milk and softened butter.

- Maintain gentle oven temperatures for rising dough.

- Adjust glaze and filling according to taste (jam, chocolate, or fruit puree).