ESCANABA -- They're round, sugar coated, and are traditionally served on Fat Tuesday. Elmer's Bakery in Escanaba is rolling them out now for Paczki Preview Week.
The traditional Polish treats are like a doughnut, but richer.
“It's the extra filling in them,” explains Assistant Bakery Manager, Joe Pepin. “And I also think it's the extra butter, sugar, and dough that make them much sweeter and much more fattening."
The fried treats were originally made as a way to use up extra lard, sugar, and fruit, which were forbidden during Lent.
Pepin said they expect to make around 4,500 this time around. The Paczki's sell for .99. The two most popular flavors are raspberry and Bavarian crème. There are ten flavors, and while prune is the traditional flavor, the bakers say it's one of the less popular fillings.
Customers can get two flavors, raspberry and Bavarian crème, from now until Tuesday. That's when they'll have Paczki Day at the bakery, and all of the flavors will be available.
The bakers sold around 3,000 last year and expect to sell out this year.
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