PACZKI WITH ROSE JAM

Steps:

• 1. Add yeast to warm milk, stir to dissolve and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream together sugar and butter and beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and salt until well incorporated.
• 2. Still using the paddle attachment, add 4-1/2 cups flour, alternating with yeast-milk mixture and beat for 5 or more minutes until smooth. If the dough will be slack and have a sheen to it, but if it looks too sticky, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour, but no more.
• 3. Place dough in a greased blow, cover and let rise until doubled in bulk (1 to 2-1/2 hours). Punch down and let rise again.
• 4. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Pat or roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut as many rounds as you can, gathering scraps and re-rolling to cut and use all the dough.
• 5. Heat oil to 350 degrees in an electric or heavy skillet. Place donuts top-side down in the oil a few at a time and fry 2-3 minutes and fry until golden brown. Flip them over and fry another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Be careful not to let the oil get too hot as it will burn the outside of the donut before the center is fully cooked.
• 6. Drain on paper towels and roll in granulated sugar while still warm.
• 7. To fill donuts, poke a hole in the side of the donut (I used a chopstick), fit a pastry back with a medium sized tip, and pipe filling into the center of the donut.
• 8. ROSE JAM: Pick clean, chemical-free roses.The color roses you chose will determine the color of the jam. Pull the petals from the roses and clip off the white ends. Pack a one cup measuring cup with rose petals. Put petals in a blender, add water and lemon juice. Blend until smooth, then gradually add sugar. Run blender until sugar is disolved. In a pan stir pectin into water. Bring to a boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour into rose mixture, 1/8 cup at a time with the blender running on low, until you achieve the desired consistency. Pour into clean glass jars, cover and refrigerate. Will keep for one month.
• 9. This recipe and picture of Paczki comes from: http://whatscookinginyourworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/day-143-poland-paczki-polish-donuts.html
• 10. Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 6 minutes 2 rises: 3 hours Total Time: 3 hours, 51 minutesYield: 2 dozen Polish Paczki