Grocery
Traditional Italian Panettone Dessert Bread
What it is
This is a classic Italian sweet bread, traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas and New Year holidays. It is a tall, dome-shaped loaf made from a rich, leavened dough. The dough is typically enriched with butter, eggs, and sugar, giving it a soft, airy texture. Candied orange peel and raisins are commonly incorporated throughout the bread, adding bursts of fruity sweetness and a pleasant chewiness. The aroma is often fragrant with citrus and sweet notes.
How people cook with it
Panettone is a versatile sweet bread that can be enjoyed in several ways, making it a delightful treat for various occasions.
- Served plain with coffee or tea
- Toasted and spread with butter
- Dipped into sweet wines
- As a base for French toast
To best enjoy panettone, slice it into wedges and serve at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with a hot beverage like coffee or tea, or a glass of sweet dessert wine. For a different texture, you can lightly toast slices and spread them with butter. Leftover panettone can be repurposed into a delicious French toast or bread pudding, absorbing the rich eggy custard and becoming wonderfully tender and flavorful. Its natural sweetness means it often requires no additional sugar when used in other dishes.
How it differs from similar foods
Unlike a dense fruitcake, panettone is characterized by its light, airy crumb due to a long leavening process. The candied fruits are typically smaller pieces of orange peel and raisins, offering a more subtle sweetness compared to the larger, often mixed dried fruits found in other holiday cakes.
Who it is for
This sweet bread is enjoyed by families and individuals looking for a festive and traditional dessert or breakfast item.
How to keep the rest
Once opened, it is best to store any remaining panettone tightly wrapped in its original packaging or in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps to maintain its moisture and prevent it from drying out. It should be consumed within a few days for optimal freshness.