Candace Fox spent Monday piping flavorful fillings into pączki, or Polish doughnuts, ahead of Fat Tuesday. Flavors the manager at National Bakery Pastry Shop in Scranton used included apple, lemon and raspberry. Fat Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Many Christians observe Lent through Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. The 40-day period of penance is often marked by fasting.
Manager Candace Fox fills pączki doughnuts with apple filling Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in the National Bakery Pastry Shop in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Manager Candace Fox tops raspberry-filled pączki doughnuts with powdered sugar Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in the National Bakery Pastry Shop in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Manager Candace Fox fills pączki doughnuts with lemon filling Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in the National Bakery Pastry Shop in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Manager Candace Fox finishes off a tray of pączki doughnuts Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in the National Bakery Pastry Shop in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Show Caption
1 of 4
Manager Candace Fox fills pączki doughnuts with apple filling Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in the National Bakery Pastry Shop in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)