Panettone Bread Pudding

This Panettone Bread Pudding creates the perfect cozy holiday dessert or brunch to share with family and friends. It's warm, custardy and super easy to make!

There's no better dessert to enjoy over Christmas than this Panettone Bread Pudding. The lovely aromas of cinnamon and sweetness while it's baking will literally transport you straight to Italy. Serve it alongside a thick Italian hot chocolate and you'll be in heaven!

Not only is it comforting and great for a crowd, but it's also crazy easy to make with only 6 simple ingredients.

It's similar to a traditional bread and butter pudding or french toast casserole, but using panetone as the bread base. Panettone, a lovely Italian sweet bread, is already flavored and filled with raisins, candied fruit and sometimes chocolate, which makes this even easier to make!

Have you tried panettone? If not, you must! Living in Italy, nothing screams more Christmas than panettone! Supermarkets are filled with aisles and piles of the classic Italian sweet bread which are so hard to resist. There are countless different flavors and brands, and I'm always stuck in the section for far too long hehe!

If you love panettone, then you must my panettone french toast which is one of my favorite things to eat during the holidays.

A lot of panettone bread pudding recipes call for heavy cream and butter, but to be honest it really doesn't need it. The panettone is perfect on it's own and doesn't need much. My recipe is lighter, and a little healthier but tastes just as custardy and delicious.

It's also great if you have leftover panettone and not sure what to do with it. Serve it for a cozy dessert or enjoy it as an indulgent Christmas morning breakfast or brunch.

Table of Contents

• Why you'll love this recipe
• What is Panettone?
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make Panettone Bread Pudding
• Tips and Tricks
• Storage and Reheating
• FAQs
• Pairing
• More Holiday Desserts
• Recipe
• Comments

Why you'll love this recipe

• Quick and easy. Effortless and takes only 10 minutes to prep!
• Versatile to serve. This pudding is the perfect holiday dessert and also great for breakfast or brunch over Christmas 
• Make ahead. You can also make it ahead of time the night before to save time in the morning 
• Family favorite. A creamy custard texture with cinnamon sweet aromas make it so delicious, everyone will love it!

What is Panettone?

Panettone is originally from the Milanese region of Lombardy in Italy. It's a fluffy sweet bread that is only available and sold throughout the Christmas period. It's shaped in a round dome, similar to a high cake. A traditional panettone is filled with raisins and small pieces of candied orange and citrus fruits, but these days there are so many different flavors.

The name "Panettone" actually translates too "big bread" in Italian, as it usually weighs up to 2.2lbs/1kg. Unlike regular bread, Panettone features a sweet dough that rises over an extended period, contributing to it's unique light texture.

It's an Italian tradition to enjoy panettone throughout Christmas and the New Year period with family and friends. In Italy, the supermarkets aisles are filled with piles of panettone boxes from different brands and with so many different flavors such as chocolate chips, creams and liquors.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Panettone is of course the star of the recipe! I’ve used the traditional flavor here which includes raisins and candied fruit but you can also use other flavors such as chocolate chip which is my personal favorite.
  You can buy traditional panettone from your local Italian supermarket or European grocer. Some regular supermarkets may stock it too or you can buy it online
• Eggs are used as the base of the custard mixture which also binds the pudding together. I always recommend to use organic free range eggs
• Milk is also used to make the base of the custard mixture. Traditionally whole milk is used however I always use dairy free milk. Here I've used almond milk but oat milk is great too
• Sugar adds additional sweetening. You don't need too much as the panettone is already a little sweet on it's own. You can also use brown sugar or cane sugar which are a little healthier as less processed
• Vanilla extract adds a warm, comforting aroma. Almond extract works amazingly too
• Cinnamon gives it a lovely cozy aroma and taste. Nutmeg can also be used if you prefer but it's a little overpowering for me 
• Orange zest is optional. I love the little freshness and smell from citrus zest, especially if I'm using a chocolate chip panettone flavor

How to make Panettone Bread Pudding

Make this holiday favorite for brunch or dessert and impress everyone. Follow these simple steps below.

1. Slice panettone into cubes, approx 2 inch / 5cm cubes. Add them to a baking dish that has been oiled
2. In a bowl, add 6 eggs and whisk. Then add milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and orange zest (optional). Whisk until well combined 
3. Pour the mixture over the bread (as pictured), ensuring all is covered
4. Set aside for 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 180°C/350℉ in the meantime
5. Put in the oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the middle has set
6. Before serving, allow it cool in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and slice in 10 cubes. Serve with a spoon of yogurt or vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of your preferred sweet sauce!

Tips and Tricks

1. Don't worry if the panettone bread cubes aren't cut exactly the same size. It will give it lovely different textures once its baked
2. Make sure the bread cubes are thoroughly submerged into that custard mixture
3. Ensure to let it stand for 30-45 mins before baking so the bread can soak up all that goodness.
4. Don't overcook it! You want a soft custardy gooey texture in the middle.
5. Customize with your favorite sauces when serving, such as maple syrup, warm amaretto sauce or caramel sauce

Storage and Reheating

• This pudding is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Simply reheat in the microwave or in the oven for a few minutes, or you can also enjoy it cold too
• You can also freeze it for a month. Simply let it thaw, then reheat in the microwave or the oven

FAQs

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Panettone Bread Pudding:

More Holiday Desserts

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Panettone Bread Pudding photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

Recipe