MILWAUKEE — Bakeries around the Badger State are getting prepared for a Fat Tuesday tradition.
Staff at National Bakery on Milwaukee’s south side are prepping paczkis. It is a complex process that involves rolling and proofing the dough, frying the donuts, then glazing or filling them. It takes a dedicated group of bakers to make it all happen successfully.
Gonzalo Ramirez is National Bakery’s Head Baker, he says it takes plenty of planning to make sure it all comes together.
“I wish I could show all the customers how hard we have to work to make it possible to have all the paczkis in the front,” Ramirez said. “On the big day, Tuesday, we work like 18 hours straight.”
Ramirez said they plan to make around 35,000 paczkis on Fat Tuesday. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bakery will be offering a drive-thru pickup option this year.