Panettone

Panettone (in Lombard panetùn or panetòn) is an Italian type of sweet bread and fruit cake, originating in Milan and generally prepared and eaten during the Christmas season in Western, Southern and Southeastern Europe.

Although developed in its contemporary form in the first half of the twentieth century, panettone is a food with ancient, humble origins that sometimes fades into legend. It is assumed that the dessert’s antecedents, very different from what it appears today, were flat focaccias with raisins inside the dough.

It has a dome shape, extending from a cylindrical base and generally measures around 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 inches) for a panettone weight of 1 kg (2.2 pounds). Other bases can be used, such as an octagon, or a trunk with a star-shaped section more common to pandoro. It is produced during a long maturing process of the dough, which is acidic, similar to sourdough . The leavening process alone takes several days, giving the cake its distinctive characteristics. It contains candied orange, citron and lemon peel, as well as raisins, which are added dried and not soaked. It is served in wedges, cut vertically, and accompanied by hot sweet drinks or a sweet wine, such as Asti or Moscato d’Asti .

In some regions of Italy, it is served with mascarpone cream, a cream obtained by combining eggs, mascarpone and a sweet liqueur. Other variants are also available, such as simple or chocolate panettone.