Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (2024)

Home » Recipe Type » Bread Recipes » Chocolate-Studded Panettone Recipe

4.6 from 17 reviews

//By Alexandra Stafford onDecember 14, 2016 (updated November 18, 2020) Jump To Recipe

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Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (1)

Photo by Eva Kolenko, Styled by Jeffrey Larsen

Today, I’m sharing another favorite recipe from Bread Toast Crumbs:Chocolate-Studded Panettone. Scented with vanilla, loaded with dark chocolate, this sweet bread is a nice one to have on hand this time of year for holidaybrunches or teas, and it makes a great gift.

Panettone classically is baked in large paper molds (as pictured above) but if you can’t find them, you can fashion your own (see recipe notes) or simply divide the dough in half and bake it as theoriginal recipein two 1-qt Pyrex bowls.

Over the weekend, inspired by a photo in the King Arthur Flour catalog, I made mini panettone and sprinkled thejust-baked, butter-brushed domeswith pearl sugar. Wrapped with baker’s twine, the festive little loaves assured me that no matter how behind in holiday-gift buyingI may be, a homemade chocolate-studdedparcelcan always come to the rescue.

Chocolate-Studded Panettone
From Bread Toast Crumbs

Around the holidays, it’s nearly impossible to walk by an Italian market and not feel lured by the loaves of panettone bundled in cellophane and tied with bows, like presents begging for a home. It’s almost a cross between a cake and a bread, and while it couldn’t be more beautiful, I’ve never loved the traditional flavorings: citrusy, floral extracts and candied fruit. But when these seasonings are replaced with vanilla and chunks of chocolate, which suspend in the buttery crumb, well, this is a panettone I can get behind: a treat freshly baked, and even better one day later, toasted, spread with butter, and sprinkled with sea salt.

PS: Stuffing Two Ways from Bread Toast Crumbs

PPS:

Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (2)
Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (3)

If you make a little mark on the side of the paper mold, it will help you know when the dough has doubled and is therefore ready to be baked:
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Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (13)

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Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (14)

Chocolate-Studded Panettone Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Author: Alexandra Stafford
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 1 large or 6 mini
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Description

From Bread Toast Crumbs

Yield= One 1-lb panettone or 6 small panettones

Find Panettone molds online or in specialty stores:

Large Molds (6.5 inches in diameter)

Mini Molds (3.5 inches in diameter)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (512 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ cup (55 g) sugar
  • 2½ teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1½ cups 2 percent or whole milk
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Softened unsalted butter, for greasing
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, 60% to 70% cacao, coarsely chopped into ¼– to ½-inch pieces

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast. In a medium bowl, combine the milk, water, 4 tablespoons melted butter, and vanilla. Stir to combine, then add to the flour. Using a rubber spatula, mix until the liquid is absorbed and the ingredients form a sticky dough ball. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm spot to rise for 1½ to 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in bulk.
  2. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 375°F. Grease a panettone mold (see Note) with the softened butter—be generous. Sprinkle the chocolate pieces over the surface of the dough. Using two forks, deflate the dough by releasing it from the sides of the bowl and pulling it toward the center. Rotate the bowl quarter turns as you deflate, turning the mass into a rough ball. Keep turning the dough in this manner until the chocolate is incorporated.
  3. Use your two forks to transfer the dough to the prepared mold. If the dough is too wet to transfer with forks, lightly grease your hands with butter or oil, then transfer it to the mold. Do not cover the mold. Let the dough rise on the countertop near the oven (or another warm, draft-free spot) for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough has doubled in bulk—it may not crown the rim, but it will come close.
  4. Set the mold on a sheet pan and transfer it to the oven. Bake the mold for 40 to 45 minutes, or until uniformly brown. Remove the pan and mold from the oven and set the mold onto a cooling rack. Brush the top with the remaining tablespoon melted butter. Let the panettone cool for at least 1 hour before cutting it.

Notes

  • Note: Find panettone molds in specialty stores and online, or make your own: Use a 6- to 7-inch round baking dish. Stand a piece of parchment paper vertically along the inside edge so that it extends past the height of the pan at least 5 inches. Cut as needed and use a stapler to secure multiple sheets as necessary. Nonstick cooking spray will be easier to use than softened butter. Or, if you don’t feel like making your own mold, you can also divide the dough in halfand bake it in two 1-quart Pyrex bowls.
  • If you’re making mini panettones, divide the dough into 6 portions.
  • If you’d like to usepearl sugar, remove the loaves from the oven 5 minutes before they finish baking, brush with butter, sprinkle with sugar, and return to the oven for 5 minutes more.
  • Prep Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Italian

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    106 Comments on “Chocolate-Studded Panettone Recipe”

  1. Jane HallReply

    Hi, can i use self raising flour in this recipe? How much, would it be the same as recipe 512g? Also can i use stork or does it have to be unsalted butter?

    Thank you xx

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      Hi Jane! Are you trying to use up self raising flour you have on hand? Normally I wouldn’t suggest doing so, but if you have it, it probably will work. You’ll still need to use the yeast. I’m not sure what stork is? You can use either salted or unsalted butter here.

  2. KallanReply

    My cookbook club is doing Bread, Toast, Crumbs this month & I’m so excited to make this!
    However, the only panettone molds I can find near me are 5.25″. Can I use this recipe with that size mold? What adjustments, if any, would I need to make?

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      So fun to hear this, Kallan! And yes, absolutely, you can use the smaller loaves. You can see in the photos in the post, I use two different sizes. The key is just to not over-fill the molds. So with yours, fill them 3/4 full. If you have any extra dough you can bake it off in a ramekin or other small baking dish.

  3. Alan KarlinReply

    What brand of chocolate do you use? Chips or whole bar chopped?

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      Hi Alan! I love Scharffenberger or Guittard, but any good chocolate will do. I use bars, and I chop up the chocolate.

  4. Angela GottheilReply

    Hi Alexandra. These look amazing and I would love to bake them. Can these be frozen? How would you recommend doing so?

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      Hi Angela! Apologies for the delay here. Yes, you can freezer them. Let them cool completely. Then transfer to very large ziplock bags — I would use 2-gallon sized bags. Seal the bags, pressing out as much air as possible; then freeze for up to 3 months.

      • Angela GottheilReply

        Thank you so much for your guidance. Can wait to try this recipe!

  5. AnnikeReply

    Ok while this isn’t as fluffy and tender as an Italian panettone, it’s a lovely lightly sweet loaf and soooooo easy to make! We mixed and baked it last night while we watched tv after dinner, and had it for breakfast once it cooled this morning. Definitely a keeper!

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      So nice to hear this, Annike! Thanks so much for writing and sharing your notes. Such a fun night (and morning!) 🙂

    • CarrieReply

      Is it 375° fan?

  6. LaraReply

    Hi Ali! Is this a traditional Pannetone recipe? I haven’t tried making it yet but plan to soon. Asking our of curiosity and because i’d love to learn the authentically Italian method. I have considered purchasing a Pannetone from Roy as i’ve heard it’s out of this world. I’ve also been interested in taking a Pannetone-baking course (have you taken one?) just to learn and improve my skills. Thanks in advance!

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      Hi Lara! This is definitely not authentic … I’m not exactly sure what qualifies as authentic, but I think a lot of more traditional recipes have those candied bits of citron, the flavor of which I’ve never loved. Because I find the flavor of the candied citron artificial tasting and a little overpowering, I opt for fresh zest instead. Wish I could point you to a source… maybe King Arthur Flour?

  7. AlilaReply

    What kind of sugar do you use in the recipe? X

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      Hi! Granulated sugar.

  8. CarrieReply

    Is it 375° fan?

  9. Angela GottheilReply

    Hi Alexandra. Do you think this recipe would work in a 10″ loaf tin? If so, would the baking temperature and time be the same?

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      I do! Same time and temperature 🙂

  10. ElizabethReply

    I am assuming this works with regular yeast as well, just takes longer to rise?

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      Hi! Apologies for the delay here… yes, regular yeast will work. Just activate it first: sprinkle it over the lukewarm water. The rising time should be roughly the same.

  11. Chris WorkReply

    I am trying this recipe in 2023. I can’t get it past mixing the ingredients because of the high volume of liquid – 2 cups total in the recipe. This is more like cake batter. Is 1.5 cups milk + 0.5 cups water + 4 tbsp butter correct?

    • Alexandra StaffordReply

      It is correct! It’s a very wet, sticky dough. After the first rise, you may find it’s less sticky, but regardless, you won’t be handling it with your hands — you’ll be using forks to deflate and divide the dough.

Chocolate-studded Panettone Recipe | Alexandra’s Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What alcohol is in chocolate panettone? ›

Traditional Italian Panettone made over three days using rum soaked candied peel and dark chocolate chips.

Does traditional panettone have chocolate? ›

"The rules govern not only how the dough is made, but also what is 'suspended' inside. If you add anything other than raisins and candied citrus — even chocolate — you can no longer call it a panettone, but instead, a 'pastry product with yeast.

What is the secret of panettone? ›

Panettone is famous for its tangy flavor and yellow, soft and gooey dough that is unlike no other. The secret behind it is an Italian yeast called lievito madre, or mother yeast. But it's not an easy yeast to work with: you need time and patience to master it.

Why does panettone taste like alcohol? ›

Traditionally, the dough for Panettone is cured for a couple of days, which results in the fermentation leaving that alcohol taste you're familiar with.

Why is panettone so expensive? ›

Panettone tends to be a little more expensive than most other baked goods, mainly due to the amount of time that goes into making each one. A traditional panettone is usually a lengthy procedure, however, a cheap mass-produced alternative will take shortcuts in the baking process which will be reflected in its taste.

What do you eat with chocolate panettone? ›

6 Ways to Pair Panettone
  1. GELATO. Warm up a few slices in the oven and serve with a scoop of fresh gelato. ...
  2. MASCARPONE CREAM. Mix together fresh mascarpone cheese with eggs and sugar, and serve alongside a few slices of your favorite panettone. ...
  3. CHOCOLATE SPREAD. ...
  4. MARMELLATA. ...
  5. VINO. ...
  6. CAFFÈ

How long does chocolate panettone last? ›

After slicing, store the remaining inside of the cellophane bag that it was originally wrapped in. This bag is specific for keeping the shelf-life of the panettone long, even after it is cut. If left whole and stored properly, the panettone will stay fresh and moist for about 4 weeks.

How do Italians serve panettone? ›

It's common to serve it with a sweet wine and an accompaniment of something rich and creamy, perhaps based on mascarpone (with egg yolks, as used in tiramisu), plus dried or candied fruits. Ice cream, jelly, custard, hot or cold sauces and some fruits make panettone a delicious pudding.

What is Lindt panettone? ›

Chocolate Panettone: our Maîtres Chocolatiers have created the best low Milanese panettone made unique by the taste of Lindt dark chocolate: a slow and natural leavening, without haste, to obtain extraordinary softness.

What is the difference between babka and panettone? ›

From there they have diverged. All have a rich, yeast-risen, tender crumb; panettone's texture is more like cotton candy with its long, airy strands that literally melt in your mouth, whereas babka and brioche tend to be a bit denser and somewhat chewier, with a high ratio of butter and eggs to flour.

Should panettone be refrigerated? ›

To preserve its quality for a longer duration, consider placing the panettone in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap. This helps to prevent exposure to air and maintain its moisture. If you intend to keep your homemade panettone beyond the initial 3-4 days, refrigeration is a practical option.

Why do bakers hang panettone upside down? ›

Due to the delicate structure of the dough, which consists mainly of eggs, butter, and sugar, we hang them upside down immediately after baking so the starches can set as they cool. This prevents them from collapsing, which is also why the are so soft and fluffy!

Why do you turn panettone upside down? ›

The dimensions should be around 13,5 cm / 5.3 inch diameter and a height of 9.5 cm / 3.7 inch. Panetonne needs to cool upside down after baking, because the delicate and fluffy bread would collapse if you leave it standing up after baking.

What kind of flour is best for panettone? ›

It seems that your Italian 00 or Canadian flour suits this best. For Panettone, it will undergo a lengthy, 2 day fermentation process with a sourdough starter. 1st fermentation will take around 13 to 14 hours, whereby more flour and eggs, etc..... will be added and it will undergo a further 10 hour fermentation.

Does chocolate panettone contain alcohol? ›

A: No. If one contains any alcohol, it is not traditional. This btw is one of the best mass-produced panettones that you can find; it is produced using a traditional sourdough method.

Does panettone contain rum? ›

Panettone is a traditional gift given during the Christmas holidays in Italy. Studded with candied orange and raisins, and soaked in a bit of rum, its flavors befit the season perfectly and is an indulgent treat to celebrate. As most breads do, it takes extra time to make panettone.

Does all panettone have alcohol? ›

Oddly, it tastes slightly alcoholic, though actually no alcohol is added in its production. A solid though hardly exceptional choice. Don't let its size fool you – there's plenty enough for two to share with this cake. Panettone is traditionally served slightly warmed through with a glass of chilled prosecco.

Is panettone made with wine? ›

This style Panettone is unique to the Piedmont region of Italy and is lower and wider than the Milanese Panettone with the significant addition of a baked on hazelnut. This variation is made with the addition of Muscato wine and grapes but contains no candied citrus.

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