Thursday, December 13, 2012

Panettone (Italian Christmas Cake)

Panettone literally means big bread, 
and is one of those foods that we Italians MUST have on Christmas day.
I am usually lucky enough to find it at stores like TJMax, Big Lots and similar. 
But this year I didn't.
Truth is that even when I find it, it runs about $7 to $10...for a small one.
So this year I decided to make my own, 
after all, 
I love to make pane (=bread) and Panettone is a bread like dessert. 
As most Italian desserts, 
Panettone is not super sweet.
Here is what you need to make it.

2 pkgs dry yeast
1 c warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
5 to 5 1/2 c flour(I used whole wheat), divided
1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. raisins
Sometime Panettone has candied fruit added to it, but the original recipe from Milano only has raisins.
And that's what I did.


Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl.
 Add 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup butter, sugar, eggs, nutmeg, and salt.
Mix until smooth. Stir in raisins, and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.
Knead until smooth.
  Cover the bowl and let rise in a place free from drafts for 1 hour. (I just let mine rest in the microwave)


Punch dough down and roll into a smooth ball. place in a tall baking pan ***I baked the Panettone in a tall pot, since I can do it with mine*** 
 Cut a cross on top of loaf. Cover and let rise in the oven (turned off), free from drafts, for another hour.
Uncover dough, and bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. 
(Shield bread with aluminum foil after 20 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.) 

Cost of making Panettone at home
less than $2

***I like to put my slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds before eating.Yum!***

Buon Natale
Merry Christmas
and Stay Frugal,

17 comments:

Kelly said...

Gosh, that looks good. Wish I had a piece right now to eat. I bet your kitchen smelled great while it was baking! I've never heard of that bread before. I learned something new today.

Sonny G said...

looks delish.. I can almost taste it from here. looks exactly like my Uncle Rocco used to bake. when I stayed in manhatten with them for the christmas season, you could smell it all over the rooming house. yum and what wonderful memories you took me too.

Sew a Fine Seam said...

Yummy! I would love to find time to make this. My hubby has been mumbling about needing some homemade bread lately and saying he has a sweet tooth. Maybe I could take care of both of those at one time - LOL!

Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls said...

I love this stuff!I used to make it long ago, but haven't made it for years. I always bought it at this time of year at Dollar General, but they don't have it now, either! What's up with that? I will have to try your recipe, sounds delicious.

Unknown said...

This looks amazingly good, and I think I could make this! Bread has always intimidated me a bit and I just cannot do the bread machine...bleh. Thank you for sharing with us :)

xoxo, Tanya

NanaDiana said...

My gosh- That sounds wonderful, Dani. I can almost smell it baking- xo Diana

Revi said...

I know yours is better than any you'd ever buy!
-Revi

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

That looks AMAZING. I am sure it will be much better than the store bought...and, of course, you said yourself, cheaper. Looks like you might have started a new tradition of making your own.

thistlewoodfarm said...

Oh Daniela,

Ummmmm....Yum! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe for this Italian tradition!

It looks easy and fun! The perfect combination for me! Thank you so much for linking it up!

Have a blessed and wonderful Christmas!
karianne

The Alchemist said...

Yum! I've always wanted to make Panettone. So happy to have the recipe now! thanks for sharing!

Melissa @ The Alchemist

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

Bravissima Daniela, Non ho mai fatto il panettone in casa. Forse ci provero' quest anno. Il tuo sembra molto buono...
Baci e buona giornata...

Cristina Garay said...

I love panettone, I usually buy one for Christmas time. Yours looks really good Daniela!

April said...

I saw a special on TV about panettone once, but it had something about hanging it upside down... So I assumed I could never make it! I'm thrilled to have found your recipe, so I can give it a try! Thanks TONS for sharing it at the Homespun Christmas party!
~April
http://dimplesanddelights.blogspot.com

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

Beautiful! You'll never have to buy one again :)

Ivy and Elephants said...

Yours looks so yummy! Those you buy in the store are okay, but the homemade versions are out of this world! Thanks for the recipe.
Hugs,
Patti

Libby said...

I do love this bread. I've never had the Italian version, but I've had the Peruvian kind that is based very much on the original Italian recipe. And it is good...especially with hot chocolate. :-)

Vintage Paint and more... said...

I read about this bread another blog today but had never heard of it before. Looks delicious. I may just have to try it.... Thanks for sharing the recipe...