Italian Pannettone is an iconic Italian Christmas bread that has become a festive favorite worldwide. Known for its tall, domed shape and light, fluffy texture, panettone is a sweet, yeasted bread filled with candied fruits, raisins, and sometimes nuts. Originating from Milan, Italy, this holiday treat is enjoyed during Christmas and New Year celebrations, and its delicious, aromatic flavor has made it a beloved tradition in Italian households and beyond.
What makes Italian Pannettone so special is its delicate, airy texture, which comes from a slow fermentation process. The dough is enriched with butter, eggs, and sugar, giving it a slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the dried fruits. The dough is typically allowed to rise for hours or even days, which helps develop its lightness and fluffiness. Once baked, the bread has a soft, almost cake-like crumb, dotted with the tangy sweetness of candied citrus peel and raisins.
Panettone is typically enjoyed sliced and served as a dessert or breakfast during the holiday season. It pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of sweet wine. The cake’s texture makes it perfect for toasting, too – a quick warm-up in the oven gives it a crispy exterior while maintaining its soft interior, making it a delicious addition to any festive spread.
In Italy, panettone is often presented in beautifully wrapped packaging, making it a popular gift during the holidays. Some variations of panettone are filled with chocolate, cream, or even liqueurs like rum, adding a modern twist to the classic recipe.
Making panettone at home is a labor of love, requiring patience and attention to detail. However, the results are well worth the effort, as the final product is a festive treat that captures the spirit of the season. Whether you’re enjoying it with family, gifting it to loved ones, or savoring a slice on your own, Italian panettone is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season with a taste of Italy.
Ingredients
- 500 grams all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 100 grams caster sugar
- 1 packet instant yeast 7 grams or 1 sachet
- 150 ml milk warm
- 4 eggs large, room temperature
- 100 grams unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 200 grams mixed dried fruit
- 50 grams candied citrus peel
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
- Make a well in the center and add the warm milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, then add the softened butter and continue kneading until smooth and elastic.
- Mix in the dried fruits and candied peel until evenly distributed in the dough.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Butter a panettone mold or deep round cake tin.
- Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a ball. Place it in the prepared mold.
- Let it rise again, covered, for about 30 minutes or until the dough reaches the top of the mold.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool in the mold for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
This panettone turned out amazing! Such a delightful treat for the holidays. I used fresh fruits instead of the dried ones, and it still worked! Will definitely make again.
Looks good, but isn’t panettone supposta have more flavors? I dunno. I’ve had better ones at the bakery. My grandma used to make the best!!
I followed the recipe to the letter but it didn’t rise at all 🙁. What did I do wrong? Maybe my yeast was old? Not sure I’ll try again.
I think you might be right about the yeast. If it’s old, it won’t rise. Did you check the expiration date? That’s usually a big factor.
Maybe you kneaded it too much or too little? My dough barely raised once too. It’s frustrating! Don’t give up! 😩
Wait, isn’t panettone supposed to have a dome shape? Mine was flat.
this recipe easy but mine taste weird idk y ugh 1 star
I’m not sure about adding that much sugar. Isn’t panettone supposed to be less sweet? I might try cutting the sugar in half.
Easy to follow! I added some nuts and it was delicious! 😋
Looks tasty, but I don’t like dried fruit. Can I just use chocolate chips instead?
Eh, I don’t know if chocolate chips are a good sub, man. Dried fruit is what makes it traditional. Just saying.
Sure, chocolate chips would work great instead of dried fruit! I think it’ll taste awesome! 🍫
Do I really need to knead for that long? I’m no bread expert. I did it for 5 mins tho. It still turned out pretty good I guess.
My grandma always made this for Christmas. Brings me back to my childhood. Good times. But, is 500 grams even a real measure? What’s that in cups?
I totally get it! Panettone is special. 500 grams is about 4 cups, if that helps! Happy baking!
I made this and it turned out super dry. Not sure what went wrong. Followed the recipe exactly!
That sounds frustrating! Maybe it needed more moisture? Sometimes the flour can vary in absorbency. Don’t give up; try adding a bit more milk next time!
Wow, my family loved this panettone! It was so fluffy and tasted like real Italian bakery stuff 😍. Thanks for sharing!
Honestly, I didn’t have dried fruits, so I used chocolate chips instead. Still super good! 5 stars for the adaptability!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for Christmas! 🎄
Thank you! I hope it turns out great for you. 🎅
Looks good, but is it really that easy? I dunno, I’m not great at baking…
This panettone recipe is awesome! It turned out so fluffy and delicious. My family loved it. Definitely a 5/5!
I tried this recipe too and it was a disaster 😭. My dough never rose! What did I do wrong?
So good, it tasted just like my Nonna’s! Thanks for sharing. ❤️
I followed it exactly but mine didn’t rise at all. I think my yeast was old or something. 🙁
Delicious!! I love making things from scratch. This is a winner! 👍
This recipe looks really nice but is it supposed to take that long? I don’t have time for all that rising.
Yeah, it does take a while, but that’s what makes it fluffy! You can try making it on a day you have free time.
No way I’m spending that long on bread! Is it really worth it? I might just buy one from the store instead.
I followed the recipe step by step, and it came out a bit dense. Maybe I’m just not good at baking. Gonna try again. 4 stars.
I’ve never made panettone before. Is it really worth the effort?
Absolutely, it’s so worth it! The taste is like nothing else. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Not really my thing. I prefer simpler breads.
Yeah, I get that! Sometimes less is more. But this bread has its charm! 🥖
I used different fruit because I didn’t have dried mixed fruit. Still tasted good!
I made this for Christmas, everyone said it was fine but I think the candied peel has too much zing. Next time I skip it. 3/5 from me.
I don’t know, I think if you skip the candied peel, it won’t be the same! It’s part of the tradition!
I think the candied peel adds a nice touch! But hey, everyone has different tastes. Maybe try less next time?