How to Make the Perfect Easy Panettone
Italian · Easy · 75 min · 12 servings
This simplified Italian Christmas bread is a wonderfully kid friendly recipe that skips the complicated traditional method while keeping all the fluffy sweetness children adore. Packed with colorful dried fruits and citrus zest this festive loaf makes holiday baking with kids truly magical.
Why this recipe works
This Easy Panettone recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 75 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 295 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 500 g all purpose flour
- 7 g instant yeast
- 100 g caster sugar
- 3 whole eggs
- 100 g unsalted butter softened
- 150 g mixed dried fruit and raisins
- 1 tsp orange zest
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Combine the Dough
Mix flour, yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs, softened butter and 150ml of warm water then knead for 10 minutes until a smooth elastic dough forms. Kids can take turns kneading and will love feeling the dough become softer as they work.
Step 2: Add Fruit and Rise
Flatten the dough and scatter dried fruit and orange zest over the surface. Fold and knead gently to distribute fruit evenly then place in an oiled bowl covered with a towel and rise for 1 hour until doubled.
Step 3: Shape and Second Rise
Punch down the dough and shape into a round ball. Place in a greased deep round cake pan or panettone mold. Cover and allow to rise for another 30 minutes until it puffs up above the rim of the pan.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Brush the top gently with beaten egg for a golden shine and bake at 175 degrees C for 45 minutes until deep golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing to allow the interior to set properly.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- mixed dried fruit → chocolate chips and dried cranberries for a kid friendly version children go crazy for
- orange zest → lemon zest for a brighter more fragrant citrus note throughout the bread
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not kneading the dough long enough which results in a dense loaf without the characteristic fluffy panettone texture
- Slicing the panettone while still warm which causes the interior to become gummy and compressed
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 295 calories, 6g protein, 46g carbs, 9g fat, 2g fiber.
Ready to cook?
Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.
View full recipe →