Classic Romanian Panettone Soft and Creamy🎄
Among the most beloved sweets of the Christmas period is undoubtedly the classic Romanian panettone, a soft, fragrant leavened cake full of tradition. Making it at home is an act of love that brings back the warm atmospheres of the holidays, when the house fills up with the scents of butter, vanilla, and citrus.
Its soft texture and the rich filling of walnuts, cocoa, candied fruit, and rum aroma make it a unique dessert, perfect for celebrating Christmas with flavor and authenticity.
A slice of this homemade panettone, accompanied by a cup of tea or hot chocolate, immediately brings the magic that only traditional recipes can provide.
Try these other Romanian desserts:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 50 Minutes
- Portions: 20
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, Easter
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 7 milk (Boiling)
- 1/2 cup milk (Warm)
- 1 3/4 oz fresh yeast
- 8 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 8 egg yolks
- 10 1/2 oz butter
- 3 1/2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- vanilla
- lemon zest (and orange)
- 8 egg whites
- 12 oz walnuts (Chopped)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- candied fruits (As desired)
- rum flavoring
Steps
For the preparation of the Classic Romanian Panettone Soft and Creamy watch the video HERE.
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Prepare the first dough:
In a bowl, put the flour and pour the boiling milk over it.
Mix vigorously until you get a homogeneous mixture, then let it cool.
Once lukewarm, add the cold milk and crumbled yeast, then mix well.
Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes, until it doubles in volume.
Prepare the second dough:
After 30 minutes, add to the obtained dough the flour, sugar, egg yolks, lemon zest
add orange zest, vanilla, yogurt, and a pinch of salt.
Start kneading and add the milk gradually, until the dough becomes soft and elastic.
Continue working the dough for 10-20 minutes, until smooth and compact.
Gradually add the cold butter in pieces and the oil, kneading until fully absorbed.
Transfer the dough to the work surface, form a ball, and let it rise covered for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
Prepare the filling:
In a bowl, put the chopped walnuts, cocoa, sugar, and rum flavoring, mixing well.
Add the egg whites and mix until you get a dense and fragrant cream.
Form the panettone:
Lightly grease a sheet of parchment paper with oil and lay the risen dough on it.
Divide it first in half and then again in half: with these amounts, you will obtain two braided panettones.
Roll out the first piece of dough to form a rectangle
spread a quarter of the walnut and cocoa cream over it and roll.
Repeat the same process with the second piece,
add candied fruits to taste before rolling.
Braid the two obtained rolls and place them in the parchment-lined mold.
Proceed the same way with the other two pieces to form the second panettone.
Cover and let rise for about 1 hour.
After rising, brush the surface with egg and milk.
Sprinkle with poppy seeds for a crunchy and decorative finish.
Bake in a preheated oven at 320°F for about 1 hour, until the panettone is golden and well-cooked inside.
Let cool completely on a rack before slicing. Serve the braided panettone in thick slices, accompanied by a glass of sweet wine or aromatic tea.
Tips and Storage
Tips:
For a truly soft result, let the first dough rise until it fully doubles: patience is the key to success!
Use room temperature ingredients, especially the eggs and butter, to achieve a smooth and elastic dough.
Flavor with natural vanilla, grated lemon, and orange zest for an irresistible aroma.
The filling with walnuts, cocoa, and candied fruit can be enriched with a touch of rum or chopped dark chocolate for an even more intense taste.
Storage:
Store the panettone in a well-sealed food bag or wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature, for 4-5 days.
It retains its softness longer if wrapped in a clean cloth and placed in an airtight container.
You can also freeze it in slices: when serving, warm it for a few minutes in the oven or microwave to regain its softness and the scent of Christmas.
