Italian Holiday Breads

We know the holidays have arrived when our store is littered with beautiful packages of Panettone, Pandolce and Panforte. Each year, we provide dozens of delicious Italian treats to share at the table, but each time the question remains: which one should you choose? Below is a breakdown of the different Italian holiday sweet breads to help you make that choice.

Panettone

It's that time of year when our shelves become lined with beautiful boxes of panettone. Panettone is the classic Christmas cake of the city of Milan, in Italy's Lombardy region. The name comes from Milanese dialect for “big bread.” Originally this yeast-raised cake was more bread-like, but by the 15th century it had evolved to become sweeter and studded with candied fruits. Panettone is fluffy and soft, with a texture similar to brioche. These heavenly cakes were a traditional Christmas gift for Milanese factory workers (along with a bottle of sparkling wine). We love slices of panettone after dinner with sparkling wine, or (even better) for breakfast, especially toasted and buttered! The most popular versions of these soft and fluffy cakes that we carry are made by Pasticceria Perbellini in Bovolone. Perbellini is one of the few producers still practicing traditional methods of panettone making, while adding their own twists to their breads. For those who want something simple, there’s the Pandoro, a light and airy cake, dusted with powdered sugar. You could pick up a Panettone L’Anni 1900, a classic mix of rum, vanilla and candied citron, the Fior d’Albicocca, studded with dried apricots and coated with an almond glaze, or Arancio Cioccolato with orange and chocolate. Or if you’re looking for something a little richer and more buttery, there’s always the Offella d’Oro, topped with caramelized nuts.

Pandolce

Enjoying a pandolce is like eating a giant cookie due to its dense and crumbly texture. Hailing from Genoa, the sweet bread is said to represent the “richness” of the city and we heartily agree--so much so that we carry five flavors from Pasticceria Berti in Milan. The classic is studded with candied fruits, raisins and pine nuts, and topped with candied cherry. The other varieties include delectable combinations such as orange walnut, fig walnut, chocolate pistachio and chocolate hazelnut. Each is beautifully wrapped, making it an easy gift for anyone!

Panforte

Firm and chewy, these Italian “strong breads” are chock full of dried fruits and nuts, and spiced with clove, cinnamon, and black pepper, giving them just an extra kick of flavor. Our favorite varieties are from Siena: the classic Panforte Margherita (the "original" flavor); Panforte delle Dame, which has chocolate; and Fiorito, which has marzipan.