Panettone

Panettone

A traditional Italian Panettone
Type	Sweet bread
Course	Dessert
Place of origin	Italy
Region or state	Milan
Serving temperature	Room temperature
Main ingredients	Flour, sugar, eggs, butter, candied fruit, raisins
Variations	Pandoro, Colomba di Pasqua
Cookbook: Panettone   Media: Panettone

Panettone is a type of sweet bread originally from Milan, Italy, traditionally prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year in Italy and worldwide. Known for its distinctive dome shape, Panettone is made from a dough consisting of flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and leavened with yeast. It contains candied orange, citron, lemon zest, and raisins, which contribute to its fruity and sweet flavor. The bread is typically tall, airy, and light, with a soft and sponge-like texture.

History

The origins of Panettone are shrouded in legend, with several stories attributing its invention to the Middle Ages in Milan. One popular tale suggests that a nobleman disguised as a baker invented Panettone to impress the father of the woman he loved. Another story credits a monk named Antonio with creating the bread, which is where the name "Panettone" (meaning "big bread") supposedly comes from. Despite these tales, the most credible evidence points to Panettone's development during the 19th century in Milan, where it became a symbol of the city's culinary tradition.

Preparation

The preparation of Panettone is a time-consuming process that requires patience and skill. The dough is made by curing the yeast in water, which is then mixed with flour, sugar, and eggs. After the initial ingredients are combined, butter, candied fruit, and raisins are added. The dough must be allowed to proof, a process that can take several hours, as it needs to rise three times before baking. This lengthy fermentation process contributes to the bread's characteristic flavor and fluffy texture.

Cultural Significance

In Italy, Panettone is more than just a holiday dessert; it's a symbol of Christmas and New Year's celebrations. It is traditionally given as a gift during the holiday season, often accompanied by a bottle of wine or Prosecco. The bread's popularity has spread, and it is now enjoyed in various parts of the world as part of Christmas and holiday festivities.

Variations

While the traditional Panettone contains candied fruits and raisins, there are numerous variations of the bread. Some are made with chocolate chips, cream fillings, or without candied fruit (known as "Panettone senza canditi"). Another popular variation is the Pandoro, a similar Italian sweet bread that is star-shaped and dusted with powdered sugar, often associated with the city of Verona.

Serving

Panettone can be served in various ways, though it is traditionally sliced in vertical wedges and served with sweet hot beverages or a sweet wine, such as Moscato. It can also be used as a base for various desserts, including trifle and bread pudding.