Name: Italian Chocolate Chip Panettone Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: Follow along with each section, ingredient list or rise accordingly.; 4 1/2 cups Bread Flour; 1 tsp Sugar; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1 Orange, zested; 1 Lemon, Zested; 3 large Eggs, room temperature; 1/2 cup Milk, warm; 3 1/2 tsp Dry Active Yeast

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Indulge in the delightful fusion of cherished memories and festive flavors as we unwrap the enchanting tale of my Chocolate Chip Panettone recipe. Join me on a nostalgic journey as I share heartfelt recollections of my mother’s thoughtful gift of sharing traditional panettone during this time of year. In this blog post, we’ll not only delve into the origins of this delectable Italian Christmas treat but also explore the reasons why it has become an integral part of our holiday celebrations while baking this delicious recipe. Get ready to infuse your home with the sweet aroma of tradition and savor the joy of creating your homemade panettone masterpiece.

How my mom’s Christmas panettone tradition made her famous in the family and why I carry on the custom of sharing this Italian sweet bread every year.

Throughout the years, my mom’s Christmas panettone tradition has grown to be a part of our family celebrations – it always brings a smile and nostalgia. This special treat never fails to stir up fond memories that connect us all through generations and this special food.

chocolate chip panettone on top of stove

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Unwrapping Sweet Memories: A Chocolate Chip Panettone Recipe

Every Christmas growing up I’d see my mom gifting the same thing – a panettone. As a teen, it all seemed so dull and unexciting to me; bread with fruit? ho-hum! But as I’ve gotten older, that classic Italian delicacy has become part of what makes every festive season special.

At first, everyone thought it was just a nice gesture from my mom, but they soon found out that it had become her signature at every family Christmas gathering.

christmas panettone wrapped in colorful paper and red ribbon

Undoubtedly, this tradition quickly became known within our family as ‘Mom’s Panettone Tradition.’ We began teasingly calling her ‘Panettone Queen’ and eagerly awaited for her to deliver a loaf to us!

As time passed by, Mom’s Panettone Tradition evolved into something even greater—it became an integral part of every Italian holiday celebration in our family – now I do the same thing she did and bring one to everyone during the holidays!

Christmas panettone in wrapped paper with red bow

Discovering the Heartwarming Tradition and Origins of Italian Panettone

Christmas is a time for tradition and celebration, and one of the most beloved traditions has to be the eating of panettone. But what is the history behind this festive treat? Why do we eat it during the Christmas holiday? Well, let’s take a look back into the past to discover everything there is to know about panettone!

store shelf with boxes of panettone on them

The Origins of the Original Panettone

It all began in Milan, Italy around the 15th century. It was originally called “pan del ton,” or “bread of luxury,” due to its rich ingredients that included raisins and candied fruits. This bread quickly became popular among the Italian aristocracy. Over the centuries, it slowly evolved from its original form into the modern-day panettone.

Why Is Panettone Eaten at Christmas?

As for why it’s eaten at Christmas, that dates back to the 19th century when an Italian baker named Angelo Motta baked his version of panettone for Christmas celebrations. His invention was an instant hit and soon spread across Italy as a traditional holiday food. Today, panettone can be found in almost every household during the Christmas season!

ingredients on table for panettone, flour, milk, sugar,

Ingredients You Will Need for Your Chocolate Chip Pannetone:

Chocolate chips
Parchment paper baking mold, panettone mold, or 4-inch paper Panettone mold
Bread flour
Sugar
Milk
Salt
Lemon peel
Orange peel
Eggs
Vanilla
Butter
Oil (grease the cutting board)
Fresh yeast
Silvered Almonds (optional)
Dried fruits (optional)

wooden cutting board with a lemon and orange being zested

Chocolate Panettone Recipe

Follow along with each section, ingredients or rise accordingly.

First rise – The beginning

4 1/4 cup bread flour
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 orange zest
1 lemon zest
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup warm milk
3 1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast

Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of the stand mixer.

Knead for approximately 10 minutes to mix well.

Tightly cover the large bowl with plastic wrap and leave until the dough doubles in size – approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Second rise – good things come to those who wait

1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks
1 TBSP Vanilla
8 oz. soft butter

To let out any air, punch the dough down. In a small bowl combine the melted butter, and egg yolks with the rest of the chocolate chip panettone ingredients and mix on low speed. Add the melted butter, bit by bit until well mixed

Form a round shape or ball by scraping the sides of the bowl, this can take 20 to 30 minutes. The dough will be very sticky. Cover the dough with a wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place once again until doubled in size.

Last rise – almost ready for baking

The next step is to grease your wooden board and your hands with the oil. Pour dough onto the wooden board. Sprinkle your chocolate chips, almonds, or candied fruits (optional) gently kneading the dough to mix evenly.

Chocolate chips
1/4 cup toasted almonds (optional)
Candied fruits (optional)

Place the dough inside the panettone paper mold without deflating the dough.

Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel until the dough reaches just below the brim of the mold. Do not let over rise.

approximate time is 40 to 60 minutes.

Egg wash

1 egg
1/4 cup milk
oil to grease the pan

Gently brush the top of the dough with some of the egg wash. Using a knife, make a cross on the top of the dough

Bake at 360 degrees in a preheated oven on the lowest rack. 60 to 70 minutes or until the inserted skewer comes out clean.

Once baked, remove it from the oven and gently flip it upside down for 3 to 4 hours on a wire rack. The best part is when you get to slice and enjoy!

Italian Chocolate Chip Panettone Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 30

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 10 people

Equipment

Stand mixer
Panettone mold

Ingredients

Follow along with each section, ingredient list or rise accordingly.
4 1/2 cups Bread Flour
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Orange, zested
1 Lemon, Zested
3 large Eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup Milk, warm
3 1/2 tsp Dry Active Yeast

Instructions

First Rise – The Beginning

Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of the stand mixer.
Knead for approximately 10 minutes to mix well.
Tightly cover the large bowl with plastic wrap and leave until the dough doubles in size – approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Second Rise – Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks
1 TBSP Vanilla
8 oz. soft butter
To let out any air, punch the dough down. In a small bowl combine the melted butter, and egg yolks with the rest of the chocolate chip panettone ingredients and mix on low speed. Add the melted butter, bit by bit until well mixed
Form a round shape or ball by scraping the sides of the bowl, this can take 20 to 30 minutes. The dough will be very sticky. Cover the dough with a wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place once again until doubled in size.

Last Rise – Almost Ready for Baking

Chocolate chips
1/4 cup toasted almonds (optional)
Candied fruits (optional)
The next step is to grease your wooden board and your hands with the oil. Pour dough onto the wooden board.
Sprinkle your chocolate chips, almonds, or candied fruits (optional) gently kneading the dough to mix evenly.
Place the dough inside the panettone paper mold without deflating the dough.
Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel until the dough reaches just below the brim of the mold. Do not let over rise.
Approximately 40 to 60 minutes

Egg Wash

1 egg
1/4 cup milk
oil to grease the pan
Gently brush the top of the dough with some of the egg wash. Using a knife, make a cross on the top of the dough.
Bake at 360 degrees in a preheated oven on the lowest rack. 60 to 70 minutes or until the inserted skewer comes out clean.
Once baked, remove it from the oven and gently flip it upside down for 3 to 4 hours on a wire rack. The best part is when you get to slice and enjoy!

Keyword chocolate panettone, panettone

How Do You Eat Chocolate Chip Panettone?

There are many ways you can enjoy panettone during this festive season – from adding it to your breakfast menu or baking it into desserts like tiramisu or French toast! You can also have it plain or with lots of butter the next day together with a cup of tea.

Another way to eat chocolate chip panettone is by heating slices in a skillet with butter and then topping them off with cream cheese frosting – yum! One thing’s for sure – however you decide to enjoy this delicious bread, you won’t be disappointed!