February is a difficult month, usually lacking sunshine, and even though it is shorter, it still feels long. Perhaps that is why there are so many occasions in February to boost one’s mood. We have just celebrated International Pizza Day, and Valentine's Day is already approaching. And while the latter may not appeal to everyone, February 16th marks FAT THURSDAY – a tradition loved by all Poles, who dutifully line up at bakeries for delicious and fresh doughnuts (pączki).
Table of Contents:
- Fat Thursday - the origins of the tradition
- Why is it worth making doughnuts at home?
- Recipes for dietary doughnuts
- Gluten-free doughnuts with rose petal jam
- Fit baked doughnuts
- Vegan doughnuts with pink icing
FAT THURSDAY - WHERE DOES THE TRADITION COME FROM?
The tradition of Fat Thursday dates back to pagan times. It was a day to celebrate the departure of winter and the arrival of spring. The doughnuts we know today differ significantly from their Old Polish ancestors. Originally called "pampuchy," doughnuts took the form of bread dough fried in lard and were stuffed with bacon or topped with pork cracklings.
The custom of eating sweet doughnuts appeared in Poland in the 16th century, and their spherical shape dates back only to the 18th century, when yeast began to be used in baking on a mass scale, making the dough fluffier and more elastic. Some doughnuts contained a nut or an almond inside, and the person who found it could count on good luck, prosperity, and success.
WHY IS IT WORTH MAKING DOUGHNUTS AT HOME?
For some, Fat Thursday is a permission to temporarily loosen strict dietary rules. The toughest ones, following the principle that the more doughnuts eaten, the better, boast about their results and broken records from the previous year. Eating 50 doughnuts is a feat, but it does not compare to making them yourself on such a day.
By preparing doughnuts at home, you can choose exactly the ingredients your diet allows without sacrificing pleasure. At the same time, you will avoid standing in mile-long queues at the bakery only to find out that the doughnut with your favorite filling is already gone. By deciding to bake at home, you can let your imagination run wild and use a wide variety of additions and toppings. Not only do you prepare exactly what you like, but you will also be certain that you are using the highest quality products, and you will save quite a bit, as currently, even the price of a single doughnut can make your head spin!
RECIPES FOR DIETARY DOUGHNUTS
It is said that whoever does not eat a doughnut on Fat Thursday risks a lack of happiness later in life. And because your happiness is very important to us, we have prepared recipe suggestions so you won't have to tempt fate. Whether you have switched to a weight-loss or vegan diet, whether you train, avoid high-calorie dishes, or struggle with a gluten allergy, with Przyprawka you will prepare for Fat Thursday and ensure prosperity all year round.
GLUTEN-FREE DOUGHNUTS with ROSE PETAL JAM
Preparing doughnuts at home is a particularly attractive solution for people who, for health reasons, cannot afford to consume traditional baked goods. We are talking about people suffering from celiac disease and gluten allergies. Fortunately, thanks to Bezgluten brand products available in our store, you can celebrate just like those whose digestive systems cause no trouble.
INGREDIENTS:
- unrefined rapeseed oil for frying
- powdered sugar
- rose petal jam
- 5-8 g instant yeast
- 4 egg yolks
- 4 tbsp vanilla sugar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 400 g Universal Bezgluten mix
- milk
- 5 tbsp melted butter
PREPARATION:
Pour the gluten-free mix into a bowl, add milk, and mix until a smooth mass is obtained. Add the beaten egg yolks and instant yeast, and knead the dough. At the end, pour in the melted butter and mix until the ingredients are well combined. Cover the prepared dough and set aside in a warm place for about 50 minutes until it doubles in volume.
When the dough has risen, divide it into smaller parts and form small balls, which will double in size again after being set aside for another 30 minutes.
Fry the doughnuts in heated deep fat until they are nicely browned, about 3 minutes on each side. Then place them on a paper towel to get rid of excess fat, and once cooled, fill them with your favorite jam. Serve dusted with powdered sugar.
FIT BAKED DOUGHNUTS
A traditional doughnut is a real calorie bomb, but even if you are on a diet, you can successfully prepare doughnuts at home and eat them without guilt. To do this, you should use the right ingredients and – to avoid deep-frying – bake fit doughnuts in the oven. Additionally, it is worth using fruit preserves with reduced sugar content; we particularly recommend using chokeberry (aronia) jam with flaxseed, which will also have a positive effect on the metabolism of extra calories.
INGREDIENTS:
- 500 g spelt flour,
- 15-20 g instant yeast,
- 40 g honey,
- 100 g coconut oil
- ½ tsp salt
- low-sugar jam. We recommend natural preserves with reduced sugar content, available in our shop in many variants: Strawberry, Chokeberry with Flaxseed, Apricot, Raspberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, Bilberry.
PREPARATION:
Heat the coconut oil in a small pot until it reaches a liquid consistency and pour it into a bowl. Add honey and yeast, and mix very thoroughly. Add the sifted spelt flour, salt, and mix everything gently with a wooden spoon. Finally, add two eggs and mix for a few minutes until the dough becomes smooth (it will still be very sticky). Cover the dough with a cloth and set aside for 45 minutes to rise. After rising, mix gently with a wooden spoon.
Grease the countertop and your hands with coconut oil so the dough does not stick. Form small balls from the dough and flatten them. Place a teaspoon of jam in the center, seal them, and place them seam-side down on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Set aside to rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (top/bottom) and bake the doughnuts for about 15 minutes, checking occasionally so they don't brown too much. Let the baked doughnuts cool for 10 minutes. When decorating, let your imagination run wild!
VEGAN DOUGHNUTS WITH PINK ICING
Can Fat Thursday be a bit less caloric and healthier than the classic version? Of course!
We show you how to swap deep-fried doughnuts for equally delicious vegan baked doughnuts! To make them look even more impressive and appetizing, we chose icing with powdered freeze-dried fruit – a wow effect guaranteed!
INGREDIENTS:
- 450 g wheat flour
- 40 g sugar
- 7 g instant yeast
- 300 ml warm soy drink, almond drink, or rice drink
- 60 g coconut oil
- approx. 250 g rose jam
Icing:
- 300 g cane sugar
- 6/7 tbsp hot water
- 5 g powdered freeze-dried strawberries
- Freeze-dried fruit pieces: Mango, Kiwi, Cranberry
PREPARATION:
Pour flour, sugar, and dry yeast into a bowl. Mix. Slightly warm the soy drink and add it to the dry ingredients. Once the products are combined, add the soft coconut oil and knead the dough. Cover with a cloth and set aside in a warm place for about 90 minutes to rise.
After this time, divide it in half and roll out into two pieces of the same size, about 1.5-2 cm thick. On the first piece of dough, gently mark circles using a glass and place a teaspoon of jam in the center of each. When all the doughnuts are ready, gently cover with the second half of the dough and cut them out using a larger glass. Seal the edges and place the doughnuts on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Before putting them in the oven, the doughnuts should rest on the tray covered with a cloth for another 40 minutes so the dough can rise.
After this time, put the doughnuts in an oven preheated to 180°C and remove after about 14 minutes. Leave the baked doughnuts to cool.
To make the icing, melt the sugar, gradually adding hot water. The more sugar and less water, the thicker the icing will be. You decide on its consistency.
Put about half of the icing into a separate bowl and add the powdered freeze-dried strawberries. Mix and, if necessary, thin with water. You can dip the doughnuts or pour the icing over them, depending on the consistency you achieved.
Into the remaining part, add the freeze-dried fruit cubes of your choice and wait until they absorb water. Thin if necessary. When the fruit softens, you can pour the icing over the doughnuts.
SUMMARY
Doughnuts are associated with prosperity – they are fatty, sweet, and incredibly delicious. It is said that whoever does not eat a doughnut on Fat Thursday risks a lack of happiness later in life. So it’s better not to risk it, even if you’re not superstitious! We wish everyone a successful and delicious Fat Thursday, many doughnuts eaten, and the happiness that supposedly comes from them.
