My earliest memory of a paczki was in sixth grade. My industrial science teacher was Polish and went all out for the holiday.
He would dress up in his folk attire and travel from class to class with his rolling cart, handing out paczkis to everyone who wanted one. They were amazing and my mouth is watering just thinking about them.
Since then, I’ve been very particular about my paczkis — and the chain store-bought kind just don’t compare to plump and pillowy decadence when they’re freshly made.
Detroit is one of the few places that celebrates Paczki Day, along with Chicago and other large cities in the Midwest and Northwest. It is one of the few holidays that is a big deal here and many people celebrate — even if they’re not Polish.
Here, we’ve rounded up a list of local bakeries that make and sell real paczkis for Fat Tuesday. Plus, find other local establishments that have joined in on the Paczki Day fun with their unique twists on the delicious delight.
American Polish Cultural Center
- Address: 2975 E. Maple Road, Troy
Flavors include strawberry, plum, custard, blueberry, raspberry and apricot. Pre-order online or stop by before they’re gone.
Avon Donuts
- Address: 45324 Woodward Ave., Pontiac
The paczki flavors at this family-owned bakery are raspberry, custard, cherry, lemon, apple, cream, strawberry and more.
Benny’s Bakery
- Address: 111 W. Michigan Ave., Saline
Paczki flavors are plain, apple, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cream, chocolate cream, prune and custard.
Blake’s
Blake Farms is seving up delicious paczki this year! Order plain pastries, or try one of their specialty flavors: peanut butter & jelly, chocolate Bavarian cream, triple jam, carmel apple and cherry chocolate. Pre-order now.
Daily Dozen Doughnuts
- Addresses: 32701 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 11331 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights; 13599 E. Nine Mile Road, Warren
This year’s flavors are custard, raspberry, strawberry, lemon, apple and cream.
Delightful Donuts & Cupcakes
- Address: 58 Cherry St., Mount Clemens
This is one of the newest bakeries in Mount Clemens. Stop in or call the store to place your order. The flavors are custard, apple, cream, lemon, chocolate, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and black raspberry. You can have them glazed or with powdered sugar.
Donut Cutter
- Address: 28173 Woodward Ave., Berkley
This year’s flavors are chocolate cream, butter cream, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, apple, lemon, cherry and custard.
Donut Kastle
- Address: 24555 Eureka Road, Taylor
Flavors include strawberry, pineapple, lemon, raspberry, cream cheese, chocolate cream, blueberry, apple, cream and custard.
Dos Locos Tacos
- Address: 10337 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
Try their classic flavors – raspberry, apricot and Bavarian cream and their specialty flavors – Mexican chocolate, strawberries & cream and PB&J (with chipotle raspberry jelly and peanut butter.
Elliot’s Bakery
- Address: 2636 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton
Order ahead at Elliot’s Bakery. Try paczki flavors like lemon, raspberry, custard and apple.
Jack’s Italian Bakery
- Address: 18841 Allen Road, Melvindale
Flavors include cannoli cream, cream cheese, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, prune, custard, apple, chocolate cream, white cream, apricot, blueberry, lemon and pineapple.
Knapp’s Donut Shop
- Addresses: 500 N. Main St., Rochester; 6057 Rochester Road, Troy
The usual flavors include apple, blueberry, cherry, buttercream, Bavarian cream, strawberry, raspberry, lemon and prune (upon request).
New Palace Bakery
- Address: 9833 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
It offers some unique flavors — buttercream, strawberry cheesecake, triple chocolate, orange creamski and peanut butter and jelly. But it also has some classics — strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, custard, lemon, apple and prune. The bakery is not taking any online orders; you can call or visit the bakery to place an order in advance.
Paris Bakery
- Address: 28418 Joy Road, Livonia
Offer the flavors of custard, apple, blueberry, prune, strawberry, raspberry and lemon. Call to make sure Margarita cheesecake and cannoli flavors are available.
Pietrzyk Pierogi
Preordered paczkis come in raspberry, strawberry jalapeno, blueberry, lemon custard and vanilla custard. Mix and match options available.
The Looney Baker
- Address: 13931 Farmington Road, Livonia
The flavors this year are raspberry-glazed, apple, lemon, custard and chocolate cream.
Tringali’s Bakery
- Address: 29100 Schoenherr Road, Warren
Regular flavors include blueberry, lemon, apple, raspberry, custard, buttercream, chocolate custard and strawberry. Specialty flavors include cappuccino cream and cannoli cream filled.
Union Pantry
- Address: Pick up at 2950 Rochester Road, Troy and 3 E Church St., Clarkston
Treat yourself to creative flavors of paczki with the Old School 4-Pack. Flavors include Take the Cannoli, Churro Toast Crunch, Woodshop Whiskey Butterscotch and Violet Beauregarde. You can pre-order peanut butter banana, Trix cereal and more exciting flavors, too.
Paczki Day alternatives
Unique flavors and alcoholic paczki beverages are putting a twist on this Polish tradition.
Many places in Metro Detroit are making their own mark on this holiday in order to attract locals to their spots.
Check out the places below to keep the Pazcki Day fun rolling with paczki beers, classes and more.
Detroit City Distillery
- Address: 2462 Riopelle St., Detroit
Distributes raspberry paczki vodka every year for Mardi Gras. Order online. It goes on sale Jan. 26 and it will sell out fast.
Small’s Bar
- Address: 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck
It will be offering a ‘Paczki bomb’, which is a shot and a doughnut all in one. They open at 10 a.m. on Fat Tuesday and will be available until they run out.
The Painted Lady Lounge
- Address: 2930 Jacob St., Hamtramck
It will have Buffalo Trace and Fireball paczki available to purchase this year.
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