Panettone Recipe (Italian Christmas Bread) | Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

If you’ve never had Panettone, or Italian Christmas Bread, before, then I’m willing to bet you’ve at least seen them for sale at bakeries or grocery stores. Their height and iconic look are hard to miss!

Originating in Milan, panettone is now a Christmas staple in homes around the world. Unlike fruitcake, which has a reputation for being quite dense and maybe even a bit dry, panettone is an incredibly fluffy, slightly sweet bread full of dried fruits and candied citrus peels.

To get that light, fluffy texture, you do have to start this bread the day before you plan on baking in order to make the starter. This is a preferment starter known as BIGA, it is a firm-textured starter that you blend with the other ingredients. You want to give the starter plenty of time to rest, around 8 to 12 hours, so you get a super light panettone!

Speaking of holiday sweet bread — have you tried my new Stollen recipe yet? It’s a part of my Bold Baking Holidays Worldwide! You can find the other recipes from around the globe in my Holiday Headquarters.

What Is Panettone?

Panettone is an Italian yeast-leavened bread usually made with dried fruits and candied citrus peels. I like to use golden raisins, dried apricots, dried cranberries, and candied orange peels. If you like you can soak the dried fruit in a little water or juice and drain it before adding to the dough.

The history of panettone is a matter of debate, but it’s believed to have been invented way back during the Roman Empire!

Panettone may get its name from “pan del ton,” which translates to “cake of luxury,” but after World War II, the iconic Christmas bread had become cheap enough for more people to afford, and it’s popularity soared. According toSmithsonian.com, Italy produces over 7,100 tons of panettone a year!

What You Need To Make Panettone

You do some special equipment to make panettone, but if you can’t find them in stores, you’ll be able to find them on Amazon or other online retailers!

• Paper Panettone Mold
• Measuring CupsandSpoons
• Mixing bowls
• Stand mixer (optional)
• Panettone pan or a straight-sided, tall 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan

How To Make Panettone

This Christmas bread does take time, as you need to let the starter rest overnight. This is a firm starter, a Biga, so be sure to start this recipe the day before you plan to bake! Here’s how you make it (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, on the page down below):

1. To make the starter, combine 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and 1/3 cup of lukewarm water in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and all the starter to rest overnight (8 to 12 hours.) The starter sponges a little but will not rise too much.
   
2. The next day, make the dough by combing all of the dough ingredients, except the dried fruit and zest, and knead them by hand or using a stand mixer until it is a soft, smooth dough.
3. Let the dough rise, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it’s puffy (but not nec3ssarily doubled in size.)
4. Once puffy, gently deflate the dough and knead in the fruits and citrus zest.
5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a panettone pan or a straight-sided, tall 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan. Cover the pan and let the dough rise until it just crests over the rim of the pan. This should take about 1 hour.
6. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for another 10 minutes. Reduce the heat once more to 350°F and bake for 25 to 35 minutes. If the crust is brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil. Panettone should be a deep brown when it is done and should sound hollow when tapped. If you have a digital thermometer, stick it into the center of the bread. It should be 190°F.
7. Remove the panettone from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Panettone

• Read through the recipe fully before you start. This recipe has to be started the day before to make the starter!
• I like to use raisins, apricots, candied peel, and cranberries, but feel free to mix it up and add what you have.
• Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature, so they easily blend into the other ingredients.
• Add in some chopped, bittersweet chocolate for the chocolate lovers out there!

How Do I Store Panettone?

You can store any leftover panettone at room temperature, well-wrapped, for up to a week. You can also freeze panettone for up to 2 months!

Make More Holiday Bread Recipes!

• Croatian Bishop’s Bread
• Classic Snowball Cookies
• Aunty Rosaleen’s Irish Christmas Cake

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

Ingredients

Instructions