Paczki Day

Paczki Day is a holiday loved by many sweet tooths around the world. In most cases, it is observed in late February or mid-March. The holiday is on “Fat Thursday,” a day in the week of Shrovetide, when people prepare for Great Lent. Before Lent, they indulge in sweets, pastries, and marshmallows. In European countries, pancakes, donuts, or paczki are traditionally baked and eaten.

History

The holiday has a long history. When Christians prepared for Lent, they traditionally set aside one week before Lent for entertainment. During these days, it was already forbidden to eat meat, but dairy products were allowed. In most countries, this week is called “Butter” or “Cheese” Week. People would visit each other and bake pancakes, pies, and donuts. Paczki is a type of doughnut with a sweet filling, originating in Poland and then spreading worldwide.

Interesting facts

Many interesting facts are known about this day, for example:

• In America, donut-eating competitions are very popular;
• Many countries have doughnut-throwing competitions;
• Donuts are high-calorie delicacies because they are fried in a large amount of oil.

Paczki donuts come with various fillings, but most often, you can find donuts with fruit jam or boiled condensed milk. They are decorated with chocolate or sugar glaze.

How to celebrate

Celebrate this day with a tea party featuring donuts, but it is not recommended to eat more than three to four pieces at a time, as they are difficult to digest. It is also not advisable to hold donut-eating contests, as people often feel unwell afterward.

It’s a great idea to make donuts yourself. You will need a deep frying pan or deep fryer to melt the oil for frying. The oil must be brought to a boil before lowering the doughnuts into it.

When is Paczki Day in 2025?

Paczki Day is observed on the Thursday in the week before Ash Wednesday each year.

Observations