This guide to panettone is dedicated to all the hopeless romantic, carb-loving folks out there. In Panettone We Trust.
Would you believe me if I told you I wrote this newsletter listening to only John Mayer? I figured Americaās favorite womanizing sad boy would be the perfect influence on my 12 Dates of Panettone.
Before you try to say panettone is boring, dry, or just whatever, youāre doing yourself a disservice. Panettone is an art, a love that lasts. It takes time to make - from nurturing the mother yeast to delicately resting the panettone upside down to maintain its beautiful shape. The result - a heavenly treat thatās not too sweet and just buttery enough. A well-made panettone can last for a month on the counter at least (but not if youāre in my house).
Panettone is underestimated because there are a lot of bad, industrial versions stacked high in supermarkets, that dry out fast and just taste artificial. But, thereās none of that panettone here. And, no pandoro either.
Rather than days, here are the 12 DATES of panettone, with one for every crazy carb lover you are dealing with this holiday season.
Note: I use āshe/herā articles as I am writing from my perspective. But, this list is open to every lover in your life.
1. To make that good first impression
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A panettone from Roscioliā¦
Your first love is rarely perfect, but itās almost always the most memorable - like a first visit to eat pizza rossa at Antico Forno Roscioli.
Antico Forno Roscioli is arguably the most famous forno in Rome, and naturally, my panettone craze started there. Get the large classic panettone for the prettiest box under your Christmas tree. P.S. They have solo uvetta for those who canāt stand candied citrus.
2. When you have 0 clue what she likes
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
a 2 kilo panettone from Olivieriā¦
The hippest panettone around at the moment is Olivieri 1882, with its sexy minimalist neo-classic packaging design and - of course - panettone. Itās an edible culmination of Olivieriās 100+ years of baking history that also ships worldwide wide. Pro-tip: Order the 2 kilo classic if your girl has a good appetite.
3. If your date is sad or moody
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
3 chocolate panettone from Prati
Your date is feeling down? Thereās nothing chocolate canāt fix. Vizioās Tre Cioccolati panettone is essentially the Tylenol extra strength of panettone. This small bakery just won the top award at the Panettone Maximo with this chocolate masterpiece, and their little shop in the Prati neighborhood is an easy stop after saying hello to the Pope (for those good Catholics out there.)
4. For the one who just loves anything artisanal
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
four bakery ladies at Panificio MarĆØ arguing over panettone
We all have that one friend who just loves anything rustic. Panificio MarĆØ is one of the best bakeries in Rome because itās about the quality of its goods, not itās decorations. I mean the panettone comes in a very simple and efficient brown box. Walking through MarĆØās doors brings you to a carb wonderland filled with pizza, bread, and even chocolate cookies. The ladies running the front - sporting those cute old-school bakery hats - will talk your ear off about panettone, with one swearing that their panettone is so good that she gets one for Christmas, New Yearās, and La Befana (the Epiphany.) Go for the agrumato or their Sacher.
5. When you have a classy lady in your life
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
5 golden panettone from PavĆØ for a fancy lady
Normandy butter, 70-year-old mother yeast, and a chic Milanese cafe are the recipes for success for the date who likes the nice things in life. PavĆØ is a hip Milanese bakery that is up to some wizardry, whether itās their panettone or pain au chocolat. Plus, the gorgeous yellow color of PavĆØās panettone will match your dateās Rudolph red nails perfectly for that adorable holiday pic.
6. If your boo is from New Jersey
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
all the struffoli and pan di Tony from Jersey City
Many call New Jersey the 21st region of Italy, for a reason. This stateās one hundred Italian-Americans per square mile have birthed some memorable things, apart from The Sopranos (which Italians also love by the way.)
So, if youāre you canāt get to Italy and youāre located on the East Coast, Bread & Salt in Jersey City cranks out fabulous panettone that is the best of both worlds. You're in for a pan di Tony Soprano, made with Italian love and a mother yeast fed with only the best Jersey water.
7. If your date is a heavily opinionated Italian
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
7 rainbow colors in my panettone from Settepani
The rainbow cookie panettone is arguably the best edible combination of Italian and Italian-American cultures. But, itās also very controversial. And, that is precisely why I love it so much. Created by Settepani Bakery, this panettone is as colorful as it is sinful, an unexpected combination of panettone and the iconic rainbow cookie, birthed in the Tri-State area by Italian-American immigrants. Every time I show an Italian this panettone, they freak outā¦and honestly, the reaction is the best Christmas present ever.
8. Savory Panettone for a sexy aperitivo
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
a savory panettone to match all my favorite aperitivi
Two words: savory panettone. Itās as if Easter bread and a classic panettone had a love child that solved the war of whether panettone is a bread or a dessert. Paired with a glass of bubbles, Romeās Giano savory panettone will swoon and seduce your date who just isnāt a fan of dessert.
9. If sheās hella addicted to Pasta Grannies
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
a nonna-approved panettone from Parenti!
To be honest, the nonna here could sell me dirt wrapped up with a pretty bow and Iād still come back routinely.
Who can resist buying panettone from a nonna running the most charming old-school pastry shop? Parenti in Romeās Prati neighborhood is just that classic under-the-radar pasticceria (you know - the ones with the displays with probably ancient, but still delicious-looking pastries?) Their panettone is simple - it comes in one classic size, dressed in bakery wrapping foil, and tastes delicious.
10. If she likes to be ahead of the trend
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A panettone box to sit pretty under my Christmas tree
Apparently, a talented 27-year-old baker opened a dope little spot in the Monte Mario zone of Rome. Sure, Arte Bianca di Gabriele isnāt a quick walk from the Colosseo or Campo de Fiori. But, itās worth the trip for the expertly made panettone and the elegant boxes that will slip so easily under your Christmas tree. Two flavors: classic and chocolate. Pick your poison carefully.
11. If she likes funny guys
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A fake panettone from a tuna fish company
Never in my life would I have guessed that a tunafish company would make panettone. But, this is Italy. Pane-tonno anyone?
Callippo - one of the most popular Italian tuna companies - not only makes real panettone (with multiple flavors), but they also make a āpan e tonā, the best holiday āgagā gift ever. Itās a bag with two jars of tuna fish spread and a loaf of bread. It may not be artisanal panettone, but it sure makes one quick appetizer - the spicy tuna spread went down too easily with a spritz. So, your date will be giggling, drinking, and - most importantly - not hangry in no time.
You can see the pan & ton in my previous newsletter here!
12. Finally, for the Queens in your life
On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A panettone of my childhood dreams
Who doesnāt love a girlās date? Arguably the best dates, may I add. To wrap up the twelve days of panettone well (before you fully enter your January hibernation), I saved the best for last, a panettone from my dear sister from another mister, the Panettone Princess herself - Bilena Settepani: the beloved Nutella panettone.
Hate it or love it, Nutella sings to all our childhood dreams. This is the very dessert I wish I had at all my sleepovers as a child with all my girlfriends. The good news is: I am still a child.
So, what panettone has your heart this holiday season?
I really want to know!
Until the next newsletter.
Xx,
Victoria