Panettone is a popular Italian sweet delicacy traditionally prepared and enjoyed among families during winter holidays, especially for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.It first appeared in the 15th century, at the time of the early Renaissance, when it was considered a luxurious food as wheat was scarce and deemed a precious ingredient. For this reason, Panettone was only prepared for Christmas, the only day in which peasants and nobles could consume the same sweet bread.Several legends are associated with the naissance of Panettone, from the story of the court kitchen hand Toni to the love story between Ughetto and Adalgisa.The most popular legend claims that Panettone originated in the 15th century at the court of Ludovico il Moro, in Milan. It was Christmas Eve, in the occasion of the ducal banquet, the official chef of the court accidentally burnt the dessert. In order to resolve the situation, the kitchen hand Toni decided to use a block of his yeast that was preserving for Christmas. It added wheat, eggs, raisins, sugar and candied fruits, obtaining a yeasted and soft dough. Against all expectations, Toni’s dessert was highly appreciated by the invitees and it was subsequently named “pan di Toni”, from which derives the term “Panettone”.Differently, the love story behind the naissance of Panettone tells that a nobleman called Ughetto degli Atellani fell in love with Adalgisa, the daughter of a baker named Toni, whose business was going through a hard time. As the family of Ughetto was against their love, wishing him to marry a noble lady, Ughetto in disguise started working at the bakery. One day near Christmas, Ughetto decided to prepare a particular sweet bread mixing butter and sugar, flavored with candied fruits and raisins, which became soon very popular. Thanks to the popularity of Ughetto’s bread the bakery recovered substantially, - in fact, it became so popular that his family finally gave their permission for the couple to marry.The current Panettone shape was conceived in the 20’s by the Italian baker Angelo Motta. Inspired by the kulic, an orthodox dessert traditionally eaten for Easter, he decided to add more butter to the recipe and leave the dough to rise longer, as well as to wrap the dessert in straw paper, giving it the typical form, that Panettone has today.This typical Italian dessert consists of a sweet and soft yeast-leavened bread sprinkled with raisins, citrus, almonds and other mixed candied fruits. The traditional recipe includes wheat, butter, eggs, sugar, all together resulting in a cylindrical shape with a dome top. Over time, alternative variants were considered for filling Panettone such as lemon and orange-cream, chocolate, custard and chestnuts.Traditionally, Panettone is eaten on its own as a dessert after a meal accompanied with a glass of Marsala wine or Moscato or can be enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning and afternoon. Since Panettone can be slightly dry, it can be served with mascarpone cream cheese or melted chocolate sauce or even with crema inglese, a light pouring custard often used in Italian desserts.How to eat Panettone is entirely up to personal choice, but one thing is certain, it will bring sweetness and delightfulness to your Christmas tables.Synonymous of quality, tradition and passion, Augusta Panettone company has been producing Italian premium Panettone since 1945.Founded in Milan by a master pastry chef, Augusta master bakers are custodians of the secret of the special leaving agent, which is mixed with the best quality butter and dried fruits, along with other first choice ingredients. Benefiting from years of experience and the use of old traditions, Augusta bakers use the traditional 'Panettone Milano' recipe, always maintaining the tradition of quality in its products, giving life to this delicious dessert.What is special about Augusta Panettone is that the dough is left to rise naturally, then cooked slowly and carefully and allowed to cool for a full twelve hours, giving the cake its unique taste and flavor.In addition, the retro-inspired packaging showing Milan's iconic image also won the Best Package Award at the 2019 Anuga Exhibition in Germany, which makes it perfect as a gift for Christmas!
