Paczki Days bring sweet treat to Crystal Lake

On Fat Tuesday, Crystal Lake residents will get their hands on a once-a-year treat.

By the end of today, Country Donuts on Route 14 will have sold thousands of paczkis. The cream-filled pastry is only available during the two days before Lent.

Paczkis are made with extra butter, eggs, and yeast-raised dough. The pastries are fried in soy oil and filled with a combination of butter-cream and fruit or custard filling.

“We’ll probably make in excess of a thousand dozen in a 48-hour period here,” said Country Donuts co-owner Scott Offord. “We’re running 24 hours a day during the two days prior to Lent.”

Country Donuts sells paczkis for $1.50 each or $15.00 for a dozen.