What’s sweet and fluffy, just $4.99 for a four-pack and a delicious way to celebrate Fat Tuesday? Fresh, made-from-scratch Pączki available in your local Strack & Van Til Bakery Department.

Fat Tuesday is Feb. 13 this year and Strack & Van Til’s bakeries are busy baking Pączki —traditional Polish doughnuts. One bite of this fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dough that envelopes sweet strawberry, cream cheese, raspberry jelly or luscious Bavarian Crème or cheese filling, will prove that you “donut” want to eat just one.

“We carry the most popular flavors of Pączki, available in four-count packages in all Strack & Van Til stores, and there are individual Pączki, as well,” said Bakery Director Stephanie Flynn. “You can find them in our bakeries through Fat Tuesday.”

This month, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans and Methodists will begin to observe Lent, when it’s common to give up something enjoyable. On Fat Tuesday — also known as Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras and occurs the day before Ash Wednesday — it is said that people eat anything they want in anticipation of the Lenten fast, including indulging in Pączki.

According to tradition, Pączki were made to use up a household’s eggs, sugar, lard and fruit, because religious fasting practices did not allow the consumption of these items during Lent.

In Poland, Pączki are typically eaten on Fat Thursday, which falls on the Thursday prior to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. In North America, Pączki Day is celebrated annually on Fat Tuesday, and have become a tradition beyond the Polish community.

Made by the Doughnut Crew at all Strack & Van Til locations, these Pączki are some of the best you will find. In addition to Pączki, you’ll find a wide array of sweet and tasty doughnuts, plain and masterfully decorated. Stop in while they’re baking, and the aroma will make your mouth water.

Be sure to pick up a few packs of Pączki to enjoy now and on Fat Tuesday. You can trust that they’re the best and the freshest because they’re made by Strack & Van Til.