Panettone French Toast Bake

In Italy, Christmas and New Year’s would be incomplete without a Panettone on the table. Serve Panettone with coffee, tea or a Sweet Italian Wine.
The flavor and texture of Panettone make it ideal for making French Toast or Bread Pudding. Keep this recipe in mind for Panettone French Toast Bake after Christmas when you’ll no doubt find these festive, odd shaped boxes on sale for at least 50% off. (Gotta think ahead Ladies and Gents)
panettone french toast
panettone french toast

Citrusy and Light

This is the first year that I purchased a Panettone. I’m sure you have seen the festive, brightly colored, hexagon shaped boxes at various stores throughout the holiday season. Every Christmas season, I too see the festive boxes, even have picked one up from time to time but for some reason I have never purchased one. I had wanted to make Panettone French Toast Bake for sometime but wasn’t sure if it would turn out. I think I was under the impression that like fruit cake, this Italian “cake” was going to be dense as a brick.

This year I decided to change that fact and I bought a Panettone. It was not only delicious, it had a light citrusy flavor and was surprisingly fluffy. Making it perfect for Panettone French Toast Bake. Serve panettone french toast bake on Christmas morning with warm maple syrup and pats of cinnamon butter. Cinnamon butter is made simply by stirring a sprinkle of ground cinnamon into softened butter.

tn panettone french toast

French Toast Bake?

This classic Italian Christmas bread, is very light and airy. Not at all dense and heavy like other Christmas fruitcakes or fruit-style breads. The fruit was in nice bite size pieces and the flavor was citrusy and delicious. I couldn’t believe it took me so long to purchase a panettone. In fact, a panettone is right up my alley. It’s the exact sort of bread that I love to eat and therefore love to find ways to re-invent ways using this tasty bread. Hence, this recipe for French toast bake.

panettone french toast

What is Panettone?

Panettone is a traditional sweet Italian bread filled with dried fruit and spices. Unlike fruitcake, Panettone is light and airy. Delicious eaten sliced and toasted, used in place of pound cake as a dessert or used in this delicious breakfast bake. Next year, we’re going to tackle a homemade version. Panettone is made in a special panettone pan, which I will have to find first. Maybe they go on sale after the holidays also. Fingers crossed.

panettone

 

Panettone French Toast Bake

Yield: 8
A delicious and different French toast bake.
Leave a Review »
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 loaves ( 1 lb. 10.5 oz each) boxes panettone bread
  • 6 to 8 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, heated to 70 to 80 degrees
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 1 3 oz package cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Slice each panettone into large cubes.
  • Generously butter a 13 x 9 baking dish, place cubes in prepared pan. Set aside.
  • Whisk the remaining ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes in baking dish. Push bread cubes into egg mixture.
  • Cover the baking dish and place in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.
  • Remove dish from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until top is golden brown.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar optional and Serve with Maple Syrup.
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: All-American, Italian
Author: Lynn / Turnips 2 Tangerines
Keyword: Breakfast Bake, French Toast, panettone

*Duca Riserva Panettone

Recent Recipes: Danish Lemon Filled Spice Cookies 

and Christmas Ham with Maple Glaze