What You Can Learn From This Recipe?
This recipe teaches you how to work with panettone, a delicate, light bread, and transform it into a custard-rich breakfast dish. You’ll also master the art of making custard for soaking, balancing flavors, and achieving a perfectly golden finish on French toast.
What I Love About This Recipe?
I love how this recipe turns a holiday classic into a comforting and indulgent breakfast. Panettone’s fruity and citrusy notes make it unique, and the process of soaking and frying is both fun and rewarding. It’s the ultimate dish to share on a cozy winter morning with loved ones.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a toaster oven or on a skillet over low heat until heated through. Avoid microwaving to maintain the crisp edges.
What to Serve With It?
Serve Panettone French Toast with fresh fruit, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup. A hot cup of coffee, spiced chai, or freshly squeezed orange juice makes the meal complete.
Panettone French Toast
Description
Panettone French Toast is a delightful and indulgent way to transform a traditional Italian holiday bread into a warm, flavorful breakfast or brunch dish. The light, airy texture of panettone, infused with sweet dried fruits and a hint of citrus, makes it the perfect base for soaking up a rich custard mixture. Fried until golden and crisp, each slice becomes a decadent treat, especially when topped with powdered sugar, fresh berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup. Ideal for festive gatherings or a luxurious start to your day, Panettone French Toast is a recipe that blends simplicity with elegance.
Ingredients
Instructions
Making Panettone French Toast
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Prepare the Custard
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and salt until well combined.
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Dip the Bread
Place a slice of panettone into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak for about 10-15 seconds on each side. Repeat for all slices.
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Heat the Pan
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of butter to grease the surface.
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Cook the Toast
- Place the soaked panettone slices onto the skillet.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
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Serve Warm
- Remove the cooked French toast and serve immediately.
- Top with powdered sugar, fresh berries, maple syrup, or whipped cream as desired.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 300kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 11g17%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 120mg40%
- Sodium 220mg10%
- Potassium 150mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Panettone Alternatives: If you don’t have panettone, brioche or challah bread makes a great substitute. Adjust the soaking time to prevent the bread from breaking apart.
- Custard Consistency: If you prefer a richer flavor, use more cream than milk in the custard mixture. For a lighter version, increase the milk ratio.
- Spices and Zest: Enhance the festive flavors by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the custard. For extra brightness, increase the amount of citrus zest.
- Cooking Temperature: Keep the skillet on medium heat to prevent the bread from burning while allowing the custard to cook through evenly.
- Serving Tips: Serve immediately after cooking for the best texture and flavor. If cooking in batches, keep cooked slices warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven.
- Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the custard mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. Whisk it well before using.
- Freezing Leftovers: Leftovers can be frozen and reheated later, making this recipe perfect for meal prep during the holidays.
Journey of Panettone French Toast
Panettone French Toast is where Italy’s traditional holiday bread meets a classic breakfast favorite. This culinary marriage is a celebration of warmth, indulgence, and family traditions. Originating in Milan, panettone is a sweet bread historically baked during Christmas, its recipe guarded and passed through generations. Its lofty height, rich texture, and jewel-like candied fruits make it the star of Italian holiday tables. As Italian immigrants brought their beloved panettone to new shores, its use expanded beyond the festive season.
In the U.S., panettone found a second life in French toast, a dish that itself has a storied past. Known as “pain perdu” or “lost bread” in France, French toast was originally a way to revive stale bread, transforming it into something beautiful and satisfying. Combining the decadence of panettone with the homey comfort of French toast was a natural evolution, creating a dish that’s at once luxurious and familiar. The citrus and dried fruits in panettone lend themselves beautifully to breakfast dishes. Paired with a custard base, the bread’s airy structure soaks up the creamy mixture, producing a texture that’s soft inside and slightly crisp outside. This dish exemplifies how food can evolve and adapt while retaining the essence of its origins. Today, Panettone French Toast is cherished as a holiday morning staple, symbolizing the joy of sharing a special meal with family and friends.
Thank you so much for joining us on this Journey!
