What is Fat Thursday?

Fat Thursday, also called Fat Thursday in Poland, Fettdonnerstag in Germany and Día de la Mona in Spain, is a holiday that falls on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the Carnival season and serves as a day of indulgence before the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence in the Christian calendar.
The origins of Fat Thursday can be traced to ancient pagan traditions that celebrated the arrival of spring and the rebirth of nature. Over time, these celebrations merged with Christian beliefs to create a unique blend of cultural and religious celebrations. Today, Fat Thursday is widely celebrated in many countries around the world, and each of them has its own customs and culinary delicacies.

Beginnings of tradition in Poland:

In the 16th century, the tradition of Fat Thursday and the custom of eating donuts began to develop in Poland. Fat Thursday marked the inauguration of Fat Week, characterized by a time of entertainment and plenty of food. The motivation was to be satisfied before the upcoming 40-day fasting period, which was strictly observed at that time. The donuts, known as pampuchy, were prepared by deep-frying, usually in lard, and served in a sweet way, richly seasoned with cracklings. Originally, the first donuts were much harder than today, made of dough without the addition of yeast. Some of them had nuts or almonds added to them, and finding such an addition brought a person good luck and prosperity for the next year.

In the Lesser Poland region, Fat Thursday was once known as Combrowy Thursday, and its celebrations had an original and grand character. Legends from the 17th century said that the mayor of Krakow was merciless and harsh, especially towards women trading on the market. He died on Fat Thursday, and since then, on the occasion of the anniversary of his death, Krakow merchants organized unique games and dances in the market square. They made passing men dance in revenge for the wrongs done to them by a mayor named Comber.

Fat Thursday currently:

In Poland, Fat Thursday is a day when the community gathers around tables to enjoy a variety of snacks, most notably donuts. This traditional pastry, often deep-fried, is almost a mandatory item on the menu that day. Donuts are filled with various fillings, and eating them is celebrated with smiles and shared joy.

In addition to donuts, Fat Thursday in Poland is usually associated with the tradition of eating faworki. These delicate, crispy pastries, covered with sugar powder, are equally popular and fit into the culinary landscape of this special day.

The community atmosphere surrounding this event is also extraordinary. Companies, schools and even public institutions organize meetings on this day, where there is no shortage of sweets. In workplaces, employees are often given donuts, which adds additional charm.

Recipe for Polish Doughnuts (Pączki)

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup whole milk, lukewarm
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Oil for frying
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine lukewarm milk and yeast. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add the yeast mixture, egg yolks, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Cut out rounds using a cookie cutter or glass.
  5. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the doughnuts for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Dust the warm pączki with powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe for Polish Angel Wings (Faworki)

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
  2. Gradually add flour, mixing until the dough comes together. Knead the dough until smooth on a floured surface.
  3. Roll out the dough thinly and cut into strips or shapes using a pastry cutter.
  4. Make a small slit in the center of each piece and pull one end through to create a twisted shape.
  5. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) and fry the angel wings until golden brown.
  6. Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar while still warm. Enjoy!

Recipe for Polish Cheese Fritters (Oponki Serowe)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups farmer’s cheese or curd cheese, drained
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine drained cheese, flour, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.
  2. Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
  4. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  5. Dust with powdered sugar while still warm. Serve and enjoy the cheesy goodness!