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Lent is quickly approaching. And that means a host of Milwaukee bakeries are battening down their hatches and baking up a storm in preparation for "Paczki Day," which takes place on Tuesday, March 4 (Fat Tuesday).
The Polish holiday has long provided a mechanism for folks to clear out their larders before beginning the traditional 40-day Lenten fast (in fact, in the Middle Ages, precursors to the sweet treats were actually filled with pork and fried in lard). As a result, paczki are a particularly indulgent treat that's set aside for one special day each year.
It's important to note that paczki aren't your average jelly-filled doughnuts. In fact, what sets them apart is their dough, which is a richer, often sweeter yeast dough incorporating eggs, butter and often milk.
With that in mind, it’s never too early to start thinking about paczki. After all, if we were in Poland, where they celebrate Tlusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday), we’d be even closer to indulging in celebratory deep-fried deliciousness.
Before you say the word
Now that you know the difference between paczki and doughnuts, it's time to respect the word paczki and use it properly. So, before you venture out into the world and start throwing around the term paczki (or even worse, paczkis), here’s a quick lesson in how to really pronounce it.
Paczki is pronounced PAWNCH-key and is the plural form of the word (really the only one you need, since you can’t eat just one, right?). Paczek, on the other hand is pronounced PAWN-check and refers to just one lonely Polish-style confection.
Where to get paczki
So while you could just grab a few jelly doughnuts at the grocery store (because these days, almost every one will have them and they may or may not be paczki), why not check out the great things coming out of our beloved local bakeries?
Keep in mind: there is a superstition that if you don't eat at least one paczek on Shrove Tuesday, bad luck will follow you for the rest of the year. So, we'd advise erring on the side of caution and eating at least one.
Hankering for a king cake? We've got you there too!
1. Aggie's Bakery
7328 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 482-1288
aggiesbakery.com
[Read more]
Handmade paczki are a specialty at Aggie's Bakery, which offers flavors including apple with cinnamon sugar, blueberry with sugar, buttercream with powdered sugar, custard with white sugar glaze, lemon with powdered sugar, prune with sugar, raspberry with sugar and strawberry with glaze. Paczki are sold in six-packs for $13.50 or by the dozen for $27. Pre-order online at aggiesbakery.com before Feb. 10 for pick-up on March 4.
2. The Bake Sale
6923 W Becher St, West Allis,
(414) 543-4230
bakesalewestallis.com
The Bake Sale will be stocking a selection of paczki in various flavors, including raspberry, lemon, Bavarian cream and prune. They will be sold in packs of four for $9 (one of each flavor); packs of eight for $18 (two of each); and by the dozen for $27 (three of each). Pre-orders can be made by phone through Feb. 10 for pick-up on March 4. A limited quantity will also be available in store on Fat Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3. Cranky Al's
6901 W. North Ave., (414) 258-5282
crankyals.com
[Read more]
The folks at Cranky's aren't really cranky, although they will get cranky if you mistake a regular old bismarck (jelly doughnut) for a paczek. This year, they'll have raspberry, prune, Bavarian cream, lemon and (new) pistachio and biscoff. Paczki are $3 each or $30 per assorted dozen (does not include prune). Pre-orders are recommended and can be placed online for pick-up on March 4. Cranky's will be open 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fat Tuesday.
4. Donut Monster
5169 N Elkhart Ave., Whitefish Bay
donutmonstermke.com
[Read more]
Donut Monster will be offering paczki again this year. Flavors will include raspberry jam, apple brown butter curd and vanilla pastry cream. Watch their social media for information about ordering and pick-up.
5. Grebe’s Bakery
5132 W. Lincoln Ave., (414) 543-7000
grebesbakery.com
[Read more]
Grebe's has the goods every year, and this year will be no exception. Flavors will include cinnamon sugar-coated apple, chocolate-iced buttercream, chocolate-iced custard, white-iced raspberry, sugar-coated raspberry, glazed blueberry, glazed sweet cheese, powdered sugar lemon and glazed prune. Pricing for all pazcki is $2.25 each or $25 per bakers dozen (13). All paczki varieties will be available beginning Friday Feb. 28 through Fat Tuesday, March 4. Pre-order yours online.
Don’t miss Pardi Gras, Grebe’s kick-off to Fat Tuesday on Saturday, March 1 between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The celebration takes place at Ope! Brewing Co. and features beer, beads, polka, pups and beer, including: Grebe’s paczki-inspired Raspberry Vanilla Ope! Sourry; Peach Cobbler Sourry; But is it Traditional? (Kölsch); and Buckle Up, Dude! (IPA) . Pre-orders for Pardi Gras paczki and brews should be placed online for pick-up at the event.
6. Hooch MKE
Pre-orders only, Bay View
hoochmke.com
Hooch's (vegan) yeasted doughnuts are available for pre-order in flavors including strawberry, raspberry, apricot and Boston cream. They can be ordered online for $3.50 each or in four-packs from $12-$14.50.
And there's more to consider on their Fat Tuesday menu, which includes king cakes, Swedish Semla and other celebratory treats.
7. Kurt Schulz Deli
8752 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer,
(414) 354-1004
kurtschulzdeli.com
Delicious paczki are waiting at this North Side deli, which will be offering the traditional filled doughnut in flavors including cheese, raspberry, lemon, prune and cinnamon raisin. Paczki are $2.50 each or $25 per dozen. Preorders are highly recommended and can be made online or by calling the bakery. The deadline for preorders is Saturday, March 1 with pick up on March 4.
8. La Tarte
6742 W. Wells St., Wauwatosa, (414) 456-0995
latarte.com
La Tarte offers a lovely selection of paczki in flavors including apple, raspberry, cherry, prune, custard and lemon. Pricing is $2.15 each or six for $12. Preorders are highly recommended and can be placed through March 1 by calling the bakery. Pick-up is available on March 4.
9. National Bakery & Deli
3200 S. 16th St., (414) 672-1620
13820 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield (262) 827-4097
5637 Broad St., Greendale (414) 423-4620
nationalbakery.com
[Read more]
In addition to slinging paczki for Fat Tuesday, the National Bakery will also kick off its 100th anniversary on March 4, 2025. There will be live polka music in the morning and commemorative 100-year Anniversary Paczki Day t-shirts available to purchase. In addition, all three bakery locations will be giving away a variety of prizes on Fat Tuesday, including "golden tickets", t-shirts and gift cards.
And yes! There will be plenty of paczki. National Bakery locations will be offering traditional paczki (made with a butter based dough) in prune, raspberry, lemon or raisin. All locations will have paczki available on Fat Tuesday for $21.00 per dozen; but pre-orders are recommended and can be made online (or by phone) through Feb. 27.
10. O&H Danish Bakery
9540 S. 27th St., Oak Creek, (414) 856-1141
717 S. Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, (262) 898-1950
4006 Durand Ave., Racine, (262) 554-1311
4917 Douglas Ave., Racine, (262) 637-8895
5910 Washington Ave., Racine, (262) 504-7000
ohdanishbakery.com
[Read more]
O&H will have a wide selection of paczki available this year in classic flavors including custard, Michigan apple, wild blueberry, cheese, prune, lemon custard, Bavarian cream and raspberry.
New this year is Dulce De Leche featuring a caramel custard filling topped with caramel icing and finished with toffee bits and chocolate chunks. Paczki are $2.15 each. Both paczki and king cake will be available for purchase at O&H stores on March 4. Even better, paczki can be pre-ordered online for pick-up on March 4.
11. Old World Polish Deli
7630 W. Grange Ave., Greendale,
(414) 855-0470
[Read more]
You can't get more traditional than the paczki from the Old World Polish Deli. They come in flavors including prune, raspberry and rosehip for $2.00 each. Paczki will be available in-store on both Feb. 27 and March 4. Pre-ordering by phone is highly recommended.
12. Peter Sciortino’s Bakery
1101 E. Brady St., (414) 272-4623
petersciortinosbakery.com
Sciortino’s will be offering prune, lemon, raspberry, Bavarian cream, strawberry, Nutella and apricot. Pricing is $2.25 each or $13 per half dozen. Pre-orders are recommended and can be made by phone for pick-up on March 4 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
13. Polish Center of WI
6941 S. 68th St., Franklin, (414) 529-2140
polishcenterofwisconsin.org
[Read more]
The Polish Center is offering celebratory paczki from Peter Sciortino’s Bakery (in flavors including prune, raspberry, Bavarian cream, lemon, strawberry and apple) Paczki are $21 per mixed dozen and must be pre-ordered online for pick-up at the Polish Center on March 4 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The ordering deadline is Feb.25.
14. Stephen's Artisanal Breads
2018 S. 1st St., Suite 330, (414) 436-1828
stephensbreadsmke.com
[Read more]
Stephen's Breads will be offering paczki for pre-order through Feb. 28 for pick-up on March 2 at Torzala Brewery (2018 S. 1st St. Suite 207) or on March 4 at the bakery (until 4 p.m.) or at New Barons' Brewing Cooperative (2018 S. 1st St., Suite 170) until 8 p.m.
Flavors include chocolate cream, vanilla bean or strawberry jam, and are available in four-packs of individual flavors for $12 or an assorted six-pack of all flavors for $18. To pre-order, go online and choose the date of your choice, then scroll down to Mardi Gras pre-order. A very limited supply of paczki will be available at the bakery on Fat Tuesday.
15. Sweet Perfections Bake Shop
1501 Paramount Dr., Suite C, Waukesha,
(262) 446-2253
sweetperfections.com
If you’re looking for something a bit different, Sweet Perfections Bake Shop offers up "top shelf paczki" in flavors like Bailey's Cherry Bombshell, Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet, Kahlua'n Mudslide and Rasberry Vodka Shooter ($4 each or four for $15). Traditional flavors – including Bavarian cream, prune, lemon and raspberry ($2.75 each or four for $10) – are also available.
Pre-orders are recommended and can be made online Feb. 14 through Feb. 26 at midnight. Sweet Perfections is open for pickup only Monday, March 3, from 10 to 6 p.m. and on Fat Tuesday, March 4, from 7 am to 4 pm for in-store purchases and pickup. For those who don’t want to wait until Fat Tuesday, paczki will be available in-store beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
16. Wioletta's Polish Market
3955 S. Howell Ave., (414) 226-5986
facebook.com/WiolettasPolishMarket
[Read more]
Among just a few spots where you can get paczki all year round is Wioletta's Polish Market. But, pre-ordering for Paczki Day will give you access to all 15 of their flavors including cheese, cherry, poppyseed, raspberry, prune, rosehip, Bavarian cream, apricot, blueberry, caramel, strawberry pie with cream cheese filling, Nutella, tiramisu mousse, Oreo cookie and raspberry mousse. Paczki are priced $2.50 to $5 each, depending on the flavor. Pre-orders for packs of four to six can be placed onlinefor pick-up on March 4 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
