Polish Pączki Doughnuts with Rose Petal Preserves

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
• 1.8 oz (50 g) fresh yeast; can be replaced with 1 packet (14 g) dry yeast, added directly to the flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 whole egg
• 1 cup (250 ml) whole milk; lukewarm
• 1/4 cup (50 g) caster sugar
• 5 teaspoons (25 ml) alcohol: vodka or rum
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 vanilla pod; can be replaced with 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 3.5 tablespoons (50 g) butter; melted and chilled
• 7 oz (200 g) rose petal preserve; can be substituted with prune or another fruit preserve
• 2.2 lb (1 kg) lard; can be replaced with neutral cooking oil
• 1 cup (125 g) icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons water, warm
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• candied orange peel; optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Crumble the fresh yeast into a bowl. Blend...: Crumble the fresh yeast into a bowl. Blend it with 1 tablespoon of sugar, a cup of flour and half a cup of lukewarm milk. Set aside in a warm place for an hour.

2. 2

   When yeast raises, add in 3 egg yolks, 1...: When yeast raises, add in 3 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, sugar, the rest of the flour (3 cups) - together with milk, lemon juice & zest, alcohol, grated vanilla and a generous pinch of salt.

3. 3

   Knead the dough by hand, or using a...: Knead the dough by hand, or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Knead until the dough becomes shiny, and no longer sticky (that usually takes 8-10 minutes). Add in the butter (melted & chilled), knead the dough again (for another 8-10 minutes) and set aside in a warm place again for an hour. It should double its size.

4. 4

   In a large bowl (or in a bowl...: In a large bowl (or in a bowl that comes with your stand mixer) combine all of the ingredients from the 'For the doughnuts' section, minus the butter.

5. 5

   Knead the dough until it becomes shiny is...: Knead the dough until it becomes shiny is no longer sticky (that usually takes 8-10 minutes). Add in the butter (melted & chilled), knead the dough again (for another 8-10 minutes) and set aside in a warm place for an hour or two. It should double its size.

6. 6

   Grab a spoonful of dough (around 40 g...: Grab a spoonful of dough (around 40 g / 1.4 oz) and form small discs by hand (it's easier if you grease your hands beforehand). Place 1/2 teaspoon of preserves in the middle of a disc and close the dough together.

7. 7

   Place each doughnut onto floured worktop (with the...: Place each doughnut onto floured worktop (with the seam facing down). Keep some space between them. Once you're done, cover p?czki with a cloth. Let them rise for 30-45 minutes.

8. 8

   Once they're risen, start heating up the fat...: Once they're risen, start heating up the fat (lard or neutral cooking oil) in a large pot. Test the temperature with a small piece of raw dough. If it browns immediately, that means we can start frying. Alternatively, use a kitchen thermometer and aim for 356°F (180°C).

9. 9

   Submerge a few doughnuts into the fat, make...: Submerge a few doughnuts into the fat, make sure they don't stick to each other. Fry on a medium heat until golden (approx. 1.5-2 minutes each side). Once p?czki are fried on both sides, retrieve them with a slotted spoon and rest them on a paper towel.

10. 10

    In a bowl, combine icing sugar with water...: In a bowl, combine icing sugar with water and lemon juice. Add these liquids gradually, stirring as you go and monitoring the consistency of the icing.

11. 11

    Cover each p?czek with icing, and sprinkle generously...: Cover each p?czek with icing, and sprinkle generously with candied orange peel.