Fat Thursday, known as "Tłusty Czwartek" in Polish, is one of the most anticipated days in Poland, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Celebrated on the last Thursday before Lent, it marks the beginning of the final week of carnival festivities. Traditionally, it is a time to indulge in rich and sweet foods before the fasting period of Lent begins. The highlight of this day is pączki, traditional deep-fried donuts filled with rose jam, custard, chocolate, or other sweet fillings. These delicious pastries are made from yeast dough, fried to golden perfection, and often dusted with powdered sugar or glazed with icing. Some even contain a hint of alcohol in the dough to prevent excessive oil absorption.
Photo: Delicious Poland
Bakeries prepare for weeks, and long queues form early in the morning as people rush to get fresh pączki. It is estimated that millions of these donuts are consumed across Poland on this day alone. Another popular treat is faworki, also known as "angel wings" or "chruściki"—crispy, ribbon-shaped pastries fried until golden and generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. While pączki are the undisputed stars of Fat Thursday, faworki are equally loved and add variety to the day's indulgence.
The celebration is all about joy, tradition, and enjoying delicious treats with family, friends, and colleagues. Some workplaces and schools even organize pączki-eating contests, making the day even more entertaining. There's also a widely held belief that not eating a pączek on Fat Thursday may bring bad luck for the rest of the year, so people make sure to indulge without guilt. Whether you buy them from a famous bakery, prepare them at home following a traditional recipe, or even receive them as a gift, Fat Thursday is the perfect excuse to enjoy Poland's most beloved sweet tradition.
Now that you've learned all about the delicious tradition of Fat Thursday and the iconic paczki, it's time to dive deeper into Polish cuisine! Why not explore even more tasty treats and local flavors with a guided Polish Food Tour? Whether you’re in Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, or Warsaw, our tours offer a unique chance to discover the best of Polish food culture, from street food to family recipes.
Book your tour now and treat yourself to an unforgettable culinary adventure!