What a disappointment! Thought I'd get some because it's half price, elegantly wrapped, but it turns out it's just an expensive sponge cake with sultanas! I'll stick to the Stollen in future.
...and I thought you were on about this one... Actually, my step daughter lives in Italy and 'Swimbo' (better acronym for 2008 - I added the i for intermittently ) carted them back in various forms, so eating is compulsory. Not too bad with the powdery sugar sprinkled on top accompanied by a vat of tea. Prefer brioche - has a bit more heftiness to it...
Panettone is not sponge, it is a yeast cake with added egg yolks. The yolks give it its lovely yellow colour, and greatly retard the yeast's action, giving the cake its characteristic light texture. They are difficult to make and will usually be made by specialist firms in Italy, often family firms A real Italian panettone is a subtle, flavoursome delight, and goes well with coffee, tea, brandy or grappa. I prefer it to the stodgy, over-sweet, over-heavy, calorie-laden, indigestion-causing Christmas cake and pudding so loved in this country.
