Panettone is an Italian sweet bread traditionally served at Christmas and associated with Milan.
The tall, domed bread is made from an enriched yeast dough containing ingredients such as butter, eggs, sugar, and candied citrus peel. Raisins are also traditional. Its characteristic texture is light and airy, reflecting a long fermentation process rather than the dense crumb of a typical fruitcake.
Panettone originated in Milan and became a major Christmas food in Italy before gaining international popularity. It is commonly sliced vertically and served with coffee, sweet wine, mascarpone cream, or other accompaniments.
Panettone is often confused with pandoro. Both are Italian Christmas breads, but pandoro is a plain, star-shaped, butter-rich bread usually dusted with powdered sugar. Panettone is identified by its fruit and tall cylindrical form.