Panettone

[Reynard]

Panettone and Pandoro are traditional Italian Christmas cakes.
The real thing is consumed with a cuppa during the festive season.
It is a sweet bread, not usually baked at home because it takes a long time to make.
It's often gifted, you would take one to a friend's home, quite often you will receive one from your employer.
Sadly, the stuff available here in the supermarkets is not very nice.
For a good panettone or pandoro try an Italian delicatessen, or an Italian restaurant, most sell them retail this time of year.
Strangely, TKMax has really good panettone (sometimes).
A good panettone does not need added butter or jam, because the dough should already be moist and buttery.
It the panettone is dry, it's not a good one.
Edit to say: good panettone is really expensive, even in Italy.

It's not that much faffier than making a loaf of bread tbh - there's plenty of good recipes knocking around. The Hairy Bikers are usually a good bet for this sort of stuff.

I find the bought ones too perfumed and lacking in substance, but a home made one has just the right balance of sultanas, mixed peel and vanilla. Although it's not a cheap bake given the butter and eggs that go into the dough, it's worth it to make yourself.

 

[Grant Fondo]

This is my favourite one .... lovely!

 

[figbat]

Get yourself a nice Stollen instead. Your tastebuds will thank you

Another alternative Christmas cake that I sometimes make but have to eat all of since nobody else likes marzipan.

 

[tom73]

Another alternative Christmas cake that I sometimes make but have to eat all of since nobody else likes marzipan.

One I make works great without any marzipan the about of butter in it and as a glaze is not for nervous folk.

 

[mistyoptic]

Another alternative Christmas cake that I sometimes make but have to eat all of since nobody else likes marzipan.

and that's a problem because?

 

[Jameshow]

and that's a problem because?

Keeps him out the ineos team!

 

[Julia9054]

https://www.theguardian.com/food/20...s-tasted-and-rated?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
The Guardian must be on cyclechat because today they have helpfully published a guide to the best ones

 

[mustang1]

Butter. Always butter. Jam and/or toasting optional. Butter is mandatory.

Actually we always get it at Xmas along with those sauces, biscuits, cheese boards.

 

[Jameshow]

https://www.theguardian.com/food/20...s-tasted-and-rated?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
The Guardian must be on cyclechat because today they have helpfully published a guide to the best ones

Only two in there two would describe and panattone? Adsa and Sainsbury's finest. They are the cheapest! Yum....

 

[tom73]

If anyone likes the M&S ones a few different ones are currently on offer.

 

[Reynard]

Having read the reviews, I'm going to try...

None.

They all sound pretty grim to me.

 

[tom73]

Having read the reviews, I'm going to try...

None.

They all sound pretty grim to me.

Any of these sort of reviews by "experts " always way off the mark and very selective of who's review.
Normally just a cheep easy way to get hold of freebies. Stuff never lives up to reviews like this normally you'd be way better eating the box than the stuff in side.

 

[Jameshow]

I don't like the variations tbh.

Worst was a Waitrose orange Christmas pudding by Heston...!

What a let down and ruined my dinner!!!

 

[Reynard]

Any of these sort of reviews by "experts " always way off the mark and very selective of who's review.
Normally just a cheep easy way to get hold of freebies. Stuff never lives up to reviews like this normally you'd be way better eating the box than the stuff in side.

TBH, I was never a fan of panettone until I started making my own.

The ones you buy tend to be too sweet, too perfumed and have a strangely woolly texture.

 

[Reynard]

I don't like the variations tbh.

Worst was a Waitrose orange Christmas pudding by Heston...!

What a let down and ruined my dinner!!!

Was that the hidden clementine one? I rather liked that, but then I adore Christmas pudding anyway.