When I think of Christmas, I think of the smell of sweet, buttery bread wafting through the house. Panettone has always been more than just a dessert—it’s a way to bring people together. This Italian holiday classic has a light, airy crumb. It also has bursts of dried fruit. It is as much about the baking process as it is about sharing. Panettone embodies the warmth of the season when enjoyed with family around the table. It also does so when gifted to a neighbor as a small act of kindness.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 4 1/2 cups (540 grams) bread flour
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon (9 grams) instant yeast
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk, warm (110°F)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces
For the Fruit Filling:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) raisins
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) dried apricots, chopped
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) candied orange peel (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dark rum or orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon pearl sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds (optional)
Equipment Needed
- Stand mixer with dough hook attachment
- Panettone mold (or tall, round paper baking mold)
- Wooden or metal skewers
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Cooling rack
- Parchment paper (if not using a paper mold)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Fruit Filling
- In a small bowl, combine raisins, dried apricots, and candied orange peel. Add rum or orange juice and let soak for 30 minutes. Stir in the orange and lemon zest. Drain excess liquid and set aside.
2. Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- In a separate bowl, whisk warm milk, eggs, egg yolks, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Knead the dough while adding softened butter. Add the butter a few pieces at a time. Continue kneading for 10–12 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
3. Incorporate the Fruit
- Gently knead the soaked fruit into the dough until evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough’s elasticity.
4. First Rise
- Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size (about 1 1/2–2 hours).
5. Shape the Dough
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a smooth ball and place it into the prepared panettone mold.
6. Second Rise
- Cover the mold loosely with plastic wrap or a towel. Let the dough rise again until it reaches just below the rim of the mold. This will take 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
7. Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with pearl sugar and sliced almonds, if desired.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes. The top should be golden brown. A skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent it with foil.
8. Cool Upside-Down
- Remove the panettone from the oven. Then, insert two long skewers through the base of the bread (through the paper mold). Rest the skewers on the edges of a large pot or between two sturdy supports to hang the panettone upside-down. This prevents the bread from collapsing and helps keep its airy texture.
- Allow it to cool completely in this position, about 2 hours.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the upside-down cooling step. It’s essential for maintaining the panettone’s structure and light crumb.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to make sure the milk is warm but not too hot (around 110°F).
- If gifting, wrap the cooled panettone in clear cellophane or parchment paper and tie with a festive ribbon.
Perfect for Sharing
Panettone is more than just bread; it’s a gift of time, care, and tradition. Bake it, share it, and enjoy the joy it brings to your holiday gatherings.
This holiday season, #GiveBreadInstead and spread the warmth of the season!
