Panettone, the seasonal favorite

In this cold season, we long for something sweet, comforting, and warm to keep us cozy, and panettone will leave no one dissatisfied.   Of Italian origin but with variations all over the world, this family-sized cake is exclusively associated with Christmas celebrations worldwide. Its presence in stores and supermarkets disappears in spring and summer, only to return with the first frosty breezes to satisfy our cravings. Initially, its origins were quite humble. Mothers with limited resources sought to make a dessert for the home that could yield a lot but without sacrificing flavor or texture. They looked for a yeast that would create a good-sized, soft-textured bread and then added various dried fruits and nuts. It turned out that this cake, or panettone, as it is called to this day, gained national fame as the quintessential family dessert. Of course, at its base, it is a carbohydrate, but its airy and thin structure tells us that this bread does not contain heavy dough; on the contrary, it is a light dessert whose size comes from the air inside it. Additionally, the fruits that adorn it in green and red also provide nutrients such as vitamin C and antioxidants that are very useful during this cold and flu season. Today, it is possible to find this renowned bread in different presentations. Some contain chocolate chips, others are just plain bread, and some try to imitate the original recipe. Here, it depends on personal taste, as each has its unique touch, but in an effort to honor tradition and maximize its healthy and energetic side, we recommend the one that adheres to the original recipe and includes fruit. Another excuse, although we don't really need one, to buy one of these breads is their size. Finding a small-sized panettone is a difficult task; by origin, this cake is made family-sized and in a form that appears to have two tiers. This is due to what we have explained about the expandable dough with air and the economic needs of the Italian mothers and grandmothers who invented it. For us today, it is another reason to gather around the table and share a delicious bread that has brought families together for many years.   Panettone Recipes Recipe for Christmas Panettone with Chocolate Chips Ingredients: - 125 grams of flour for the first dough - 85 grams of water for the first dough - 10 grams of yeast for the first dough - 2 egg yolks for the second dough - 1 egg white for the second dough - 1/2 teaspoon of salt for the second dough - 75 grams of sugar for the second dough - 250 grams of flour for the second dough - 85 grams of softened butter for the second dough - 85 grams of water for the second dough - 10 grams of fresh yeast for the second dough - 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water for the second dough - chocolate chips for the second dough Click here to see the steps to prepare this recipe.   Recipe for Panettone Ingredients: - 1 cup of raisins - 1 cup of brandy - 1/2 cup of hot milk - 3/4 cup of sugar - 1/2 tablespoon of active yeast 1 packet - 3 1/4 cups of flour - 3 eggs at room temperature - 1 egg yolk - 1 tablespoon of lemon zest - 1 tablespoon of lemon juice - 1 tablespoon of salt - 1 stick of unsalted butter 1/2 cup - 1 cup of chopped caramelized figs Find the preparation procedure for this recipe by clicking here.   Make a Panettone and gather with family.