What is Panettone?

Panettone is a sweet bread loaf filled with candied fruits, nuts, and sometimes chocolate. Its distinctive dome shape and airy texture come from a long fermentation process, resulting in a cake that is both delicious and visually stunning. In Spain, it’s often enjoyed with hot chocolate or coffee, making it an ideal accompaniment to festive gatherings.

Traditional Panettone Recipe

Here’s how you can make your own Panettone at home:

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 500g all-purpose flour

• 150g sugar

• 10g salt

• 20g fresh yeast (or 7g dry yeast)

• 200ml warm milk

• 100g unsalted butter (softened)

• 4 large eggs

• Zest of 1 orange

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 100g mixed candied fruits (orange peel, cherries, etc.)

• 50g raisins

• 50g almonds (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a small bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast in warm milk with a tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.

2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, eggs, orange zest, and lemon zest. Mix until combined.

3. Knead the Dough: Add softened butter and knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. It should be slightly sticky but not too wet.

4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.

5. Add Fruits: Once risen, gently knead in the candied fruits and raisins until evenly distributed.

6. Shape and Second Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased Panettone mold or a tall round cake pan lined with parchment paper. Cover again and let it rise for another hour.

7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

8. Bake: Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through (a toothpick inserted should come out clean). If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

9. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Celebrate with Panettone!

This Christmas season, invite your friends and family over to enjoy your homemade Panettone as part of your holiday festivities! If you want to take your celebration to the next level, I offer special New Year's Eve menus where I can prepare exquisite dishes for you and your guests while you enjoy the festivities at home.Let me handle all the food and drinks so you can focus on making memories this holiday season! Contact me today to learn more about my private chef services tailored for your celebrations!