Start off by warming the soy milk. Aim for a temperature that’s slightly warmer than room temperature—think of it like a warm bath for the yeast. Combine the warm soy milk with active dry yeast in a bowl. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes. You’re waiting for it to become bubbly, which means the yeast is ready to work its magic.

While you wait, grab another bowl. In this one, whisk together the bread flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. This combo will serve as the foundation for your dough.

After your yeast has activated, add it to your dry mixture. Next, incorporate the mashed potato, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined.

Once combined, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. Remember, this dough should be soft but not sticky.

Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel. Let this sit in a warm area for about an hour or until it doubles in size. This is what we call the "rise" phase, and it's crucial for fluffy paczki.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release excess air. Roll it out to about an inch thick on a floured surface. Use a round cutter to cut out your paczki shapes. A glass works great!

Now comes the fun part! Place a small dollop of fruit preserves in the center of half of your rounds. Then, take another round, and seal it over the filled one by pinching the edges together. Repeat this step until you’ve filled all your rounds.

Place your filled paczki on a parchment-lined tray. Once again, cover with a towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes. You’re perfecting that fluffy texture!

In a deep fryer or a heavy pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Once hot, fry the paczki in batches. You’ll want to do this to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

After frying, transfer the paczki to a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly. While they're still warm, dust them with granulated sugar or powdered sugar, depending on your preference.

Now, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Serve your vegan paczki warm, and watch them disappear quickly. You're sure to impress family and friends with your baking skills!