MANITOWOC – For many Wisconsin bakeries, Fat Tuesday is one of the busiest days of the year as customers pour in to buy dozens of pączki for the annual holiday.
Pączki (pronounced POONCH-kee) are Polish, jelly-filled pastries usually enjoyed on or before Fat Tuesday, the last day to indulge in favorite foods before Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season.
The pastry is traditionally filled with fruit jams like prune, apricot, plum and poppy seed. They usually are topped with powdered sugar and served as a round, fluffy, deep-fried pastry — fluffier and richer than a regular donut.
They’re mostly popular in Midwestern areas of the United States with large concentrations of Polish immigrants.
Midwestern bakeries have adopted the tradition, giving the pastry an American twist with flavors like custard, chocolate, lemon, blueberry and more.
Hartman’s Bakery has been baking them up and selling the treat for several days so far in 2026.
“They are pillowy, rich and filled to perfection!” the bakery said on Facebook.
Hartman’s makes limited batches, and “once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Where to get pączki in Manitowoc
Hartman’s, 901 N. 11th St., offers a variety of flavors, including apple, raspberry, strawberry, cream cheese, cherry, blueberry, prune and more. The bakery also takes orders for pick-up with a two-day notice.
Bakery on State, 436 N. Ninth St., also sells pączki. Flavors include custard, raspberry, poppyseed, lemon, cherry and prune.
Christina’s Cakery & Baked Goods, 1213 Madison St., Two Rivers also advertises on Facebook having pączki with hours of 5 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@usatodayco.com or call 920-606-2575.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Where to get pączki in Manitowoc for Fat Tuesday
Reporting by Patti Zarling, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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