Delicious Homemade Panettone Loaves

Indulge in the rich flavors of panettone with this homemade recipe. These light and airy Italian Christmas breads are studded with dried fruits and have a delicate hint of citrus. Perfect for holiday celebrations or special occasions, these panettone loaves will impress your guests with their unique taste and beautiful presentation. With a little patience and the right ingredients, you can recreate this traditional Italian treat in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, and candied orange peel)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and granulated sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, softened butter, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
4. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a sticky dough forms. Then add the egg mixture and continue to stir until well combined.
5. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
7. Punch down the dough and knead in the mixed dried fruits, lemon zest, and orange zest until evenly distributed.
8. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a ball. Place the balls in greased and floured panettone molds or small round cake pans.
9. Cover the molds with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 1 hour or until doubled in size.
10. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
11. Bake the panettone loaves for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
12. Remove the panettone loaves from the oven and let them cool in the molds for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Once the panettone loaves are cool, dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
14. Slice and serve the panettone loaves as desired. They can be enjoyed plain or spread with butter or jam.
15. Store any leftover panettone in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Interesting Facts