Cake Recipe
Panettone: A Slice of Italian Fruit Cake Heaven
Jun
Have you ever heard of or tried Italian fruit cake? This type of cake is also known as panettone cake. Filled with dried fruit and candy shells, the sponge panettone is quite simple and easy to make. Don’t miss this amazing dessert, great for brunch, coffee and tea. Check out how to make this cake in today’s Cakepluss article.
What is Panettone cake?
From the Italian panettone or small cake, panettone is a large sweet bread made with fruit, commonly offered at Christmas throughout Italy and in Italian communities around the world. Originating from Milan, it is a large, dome-shaped cake that is fermented. It has a slightly light and airy texture but has a rich buttery taste and is not very sweet.
Panettone has a rich history and is deeply rooted in Italian culinary traditions. It is often exchanged as a gift during the holiday season and has become a symbol of celebration and togetherness. Its popularity has also led to various creative variations, such as chocolate or pistachio-flavored panettone, offering a modern twist on the classic recipe.
How to make Italian Fruit cake?
– Ingredients:
- mixed dried fruits
- your favorite liqueur or fruit juice
- candied lemon and orange peel, finely chopped
- fast-action dry yeast
- strong bread flour
- sugar, salt, eggs, unsalted butter (at room temperature)
– Instructions:
- Put all the dried fruits and candies in a bowl and mix well. Add some liqueur or your favorite fruit juice. Overnight, place the dish in a cool location and cover with cling film. Don’t refrigerate, please.
- Heat 5 ounces of milk to a warm temperature. Store the remaining ounces of milk in the refrigerator. In a heatproof jar or bowl, sprinkle dry yeast over the warmed milk, stir in the sugar, and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Pour the flour mixture into the mixer. On one side of the basin, sprinkle salt. Never allow the salt to come into direct touch with the dried or fresh yeast as this may kill the yeast and cause the bread to thicken and harden. Instead, pour the bubbling yeast mixture over the other side.
- Mix flour, salt, and yeast on slow speed to combine ingredients. Add the 5 eggs, turn the mixer to medium speed and continue mixing until the dough is smooth, although it will become sticky.
- Cut the butter into bite-sized pieces. Increase the speed of the mixer and add a few pieces of butter at a time. Let the mixer continue to run for at least 5 p
Grease a large baking dish with the remaining 1/2 ounce of butter. To retain the maximum amount of air, let the dough slide down the greased bowl by its own weight. Cover the greased bowl with a lid or cling film and place it in a cool place, preferably the refrigerator, and leave overnight. - Remove the dough and place the dough on a dough work surface and spread it out into a rectangle. Strain the soaked fruit through a fine sieve, and extract the juice. Place half of the fruit on the pre-spread dough. Repeat the process with the remaining fruit, spreading the dough once more.
- Roll the dough into a ball. With the remaining 1/2 ounce of butter, grease a panettone pan that is 7 inches in diameter. If you don’t have these, use a regular cake tin, but line the base and sides with greaseproof paper at least 2 inches above the rim.
- Put the dough in the center of the mold, arrange the almonds on the cake surface, and cover with a cloth. Leave the cake in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours until the dough rises evenly and rises to the top of the pan.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix the remaining egg with some remaining milk and spread on top of the cake. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes. Lower the heat to 300 F and cook for another 45 to 55 minutes.
- Let the cake cool in the mold on a cooling rack for 5 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.
To sum up
In conclusion, the Italian fruit cake, known as panettone, is a beloved traditional dessert that holds a special place in Italian culinary culture. Its unique characteristics, including its tall, domed shape, light and fluffy texture, and rich, buttery flavor, make it a sought-after treat during the Christmas season. Whether enjoyed plain or accompanied by a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet wine, the Italian fruit cake, panettone, continues to captivate taste buds and bring joy to those who indulge in its delightful flavors and aromas.
