Christmas time is simply unimaginable without the sweet, dome-shaped fruit cake made of yeast dough. On New Year’s Eve, the traditional cake, combined with a bottle of spumante, is even considered a lucky charm! Pick up now at MONTE OFELIO BAR.

The Italian way to wish a happy holiday season? A slice of panettone and a flute of spumante. It’s a ritual in many homes! The preparation of this delicious speciality takes patience and time. It can take up to 3 days from the first yeast dough to the finished panettone. It is prepared either in the classic version with dried fruit, without any other ingredients, or in a modified version, e.g. with chocolate.

Perfect little hostess gifts and great for holiday entertaining. Giving panettone is not only a simple act of kindness but also a gesture that has a lot of history/tradition. It’s a sweet bread that can be enjoyed everywhere, anytime – e. g. at office parties, at home or in stores while shopping.

The Milanese claim to have invented it. But exactly how this delicious cake made of yeast dough with candied fruit came into being is a matter of debate. But one thing’s for sure: we eagerly anticipate the traditional Italian cake every holiday season. One of the legends say that the sweet dome-shaped cake was created by a scullery boy from Ludovico il Moro’s kitchen. According to the story, the head chef burned the cake prepared for the Christmas banquet of a duke. His scullery boy, Toni, decided to work his dough of natural yeast with flour, eggs, raisins, sugar and candied fruits. The result was so good that the duke named it »Pane de Toni«, in honor of the inventor.

To ensure a high-quality product, the genuine Milanese panettone has been protected by a seal of excellence since 2003. Only those who produce panettone according to a traditional recipe are allowed to advertise with the designation »Panettone tipico della tradizione artigiana«. Those who use only the permitted ingredients and follow strict production guidelines. These were drawn up jointly by the Milan Chamber of Commerce and the Confectioners’ Association. They include, for example, the preparation time, the use of fresh products or the fact that no preservatives are used.

You either like panettone or you’re wrong.