As soon as leaves begin to turn, panettone starts showing up in pastry shops and markets around Italy. But the sweet — a cross between a bread and cake which legend says first appeared at the court of Ludovico il Moro in the 16th century in Milan — isn’t only an Italian holiday staple. According to La Confederazione Pasticceri Italiani (Conpait), global exports of panettone and pandoro — similar to panettone, but plain, eight-pointed and dusted with powdered sugar — are valued at €32 million.
A domed “big bread” traditionally speckled with raisins, lemon zest, candied citron and orange peel, panettone reached mass production in the 1930s in Milan as the centerpiece of Christmastime sweets. Today, it’s produced all over Italy and abroad, in part a legacy of Italian immigration across the globe after World War II. There are panettone and pandoro manufacturers in Brazil and Peru; panettone shows up on supermarket shelves throughout the United States and the rest of the Americas. But the spread of panettone and pandoro goes even further: The Coppa del Mondo de Panettone, an annual competition held to judge the world’s best, saw bakers from Australia, Peru and Japan compete alongside Italians in 2023.
Foreign loaves, however, may not be on par in quality and taste with the panettone and pandoro exported directly from Italy across the globe, such as those from Dolceterra. There are some factors to keep in mind when ordering a panettone or pandoro ahead of holiday feasts.
How to choose and enjoy the best panettone and pandoro
Consider traditional or modern options
When made following the classic multi-day method — which some say takes years for bakers to master — a panettone recipe includes two doughs that are naturally leavened from a lievito madre (mother yeast) that could be 100 years old. Hung upside down during the cooling process to retain that domed shape, a true panettone and pandoro could be challenging to replicate at home, so it’s often best to leave the job to Italian experts. With a shelf life of about a month or longer when stored in a cool and dry place, and the most popular loaves selling out long before the first days of December, it’s a good idea to place an order early.
Like any other culinary venture, panettone flavors are inspired not only by tradition but by bakers’ creativity and the region where they come from. Pandoro could be dusted with powdered sugar or come with a frosting. Meanwhile, modern panettone could be brimming with chocolate, filled with limoncello or pistachio cream, or have a glaze in various flavors. As the Panettone World Cup recognizes winners in both traditional and chocolate panettone, chocolate varieties are also now mainstream, though not classic.
Order the sweets as part of a festive spread
Panettone and pandoro show up on the holiday dining table as part of a dessert spread, sometimes before the main dessert, and often served with sparkling wine. In Italy, and even in the United States, panettone sold in the supermarket may come as part of a gift pack with a bottle of sparkling wine. Chocolate or cream-colored versions or even those with liquid centers can be ideal as part of an after-dinner sweet lineup, especially if you want to venture away from the classic panettone. But traditional panettone and pandoro are best for leftovers — it’s not uncommon to serve what doesn’t get eaten at dessert as a festive addition to breakfast, or afternoon tea.
Get creative with the panettone and pandoro that's left (if any!)
Panettone and pandoro are large by design (though there are also mini versions in some bakeries), meaning that they may not be eaten in one night unless you have a dozen of your closest friends over for dinner. With their fluffy and airy textures, they work well in Pain Perdu, or French Toast, a favorite with home chefs. Giving this Italian classic a continental twist — dipping slices of panettone and pandoro in a mixture of egg, milk, and spices and grilling them in a pan with butter — may make traditional Italian bakers scoff, but it’s one way to give flair to a post-holiday breakfast spread and shout out to panettone's global appeal.
Plan ahead to get your holiday panettone or pandoro. Dolceterra has a wide selection of panettone and pandoro that can be shipped nearly anywhere in the world.
Dolceterra transports the authentic Italian culinary experience directly to your doorstep, delivering the Italian dolce vita across the United States and the rest of the world. The founders are Italian and dedicated to carefully selecting the best artisanal gourmet products from every region, including pasta, cheese and desserts, with a focus on quality and attention to detail.
