Celebrate Paczki Day with sweet treats

PALATINE, Ill. (WLS) -- It's a busy morning at the Spunky Dunkers in Palatine because it's Paczki Day, or Fat Tuesday. Bakers are trying to meet demand for these traditional Polish pastries that deep fried and delicious.

PHOTOS: Paczki Day at Spunky Dunkers

This donut shop has been in Palatine since 1965. Sisters Sherree, Jan, and Suzette have owned it since 1987. They have been making paczki for about 15 years and say they have always been too busy to count how many they sell, but know it's thousands. They have 20 flavors and are working around the clock from Sunday through Tuesday.

The paczki tradition goes back to the late 1700s, traced to a Polish king who loved the fried treats so much he made them the official pre-Lenten treat. Paczki are traditionally filled with jelly and custard; traditional Polish flavors include rose petal jelly. Some get glazed, others get dusted with powdered sugar, but all get gobbled up.