Long lines are a tradition at Pulaski bakery on Paczki Tuesday

PULASKI, Wis. (WBAY) – February 13 is Fat Tuesday, a day for Christians to enjoy before Lent begins on Wednesday.

Around here it is also known as Paczki Day.

(It is pronounced “POONCH-key” and the plural of paczki is also paczki).

Smurawa’s Country Bakery in Pulaski spends days preparing for long lines of customers the day before Ash Wednesday. They make thousands of paczki using a family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Paczki, which resemble a filled donut, are made with plenty of butter, sugar and eggs, and come with a variety of fillings including custard, French cream and fruit jams.

The bakery owner says the process has been perfected over the past 25 years and customers say once you have one, you’ll be hooked.

“This is not a marketing strategy. This is pride. This is a recipe that has been in our family for over five generations, 100 years. It’s meticulously planned to ensure every part of the process is done the way it’s supposed to be,” said Greg Smurawa.

“The dough is soft, delicious, sweet, light, everything,” said customer Erica Errer.

People come from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Illinois to enjoy these Polish delicacies. Orders are also shipped to several states.

Paczki Tuesday is the bakery’s busiest day of the year. They hope to sell between 30,000 and 35,000 paczki.

Kristyn Allen tried to fill paczki during Action 2 News This Morning: LIVESTREAM, two at a time.

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