Panettone Recipe: French Toast

Panettone is an Italian sweet bread from Milan. It is a staple at Christmas. While good by itself, it makes phenomenal French toast. I had the pleasure of eating some panettone French toast this morning with panettone I made myself. Here's how.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
1 cup warm water
1 tsp salt
1 package yeast
2 whole eggs
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil or melted butter
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dark raisins
1/2 cup candied citron
1 tbsp orange or lemon zest

Mix water, yeast, salt, sugar, eggs, and oil. Add flour and other ingredients to form a wet sticky dough. In a stand mixer mix the dough for 5 minutes. Let dough rise in a greased bowl for 3 hrs. If you want a tall panettone you will need a special tall pan or clean coffee can lined with parchment. If not use a regular loaf pan or deep round casserole pan well greased and lined with parchment. After dough has risen transfer it to the pans filling them no more than half way. Let the dough rise however long it takes for it to reach the top of the pan. Bake at 375 until well browned about 30-40 min depending on the size of your pan.

After the panettone was cooled I cut it into 1/2 in slices and proceeded to make the French toast. I use a ratio of approximately 1 egg to 1/4 cup milk to 1 1/2 tbsp sugar for my French toast custard as well as some cinnamon and vanilla for flavoring.