Panettone French Toast

Holiday time brings plenty of traditional, delicious treats: candy canes, fruitcakes, chocolate Santas—and panettone! Whether you were gifted the Italian holiday bread or picked up an extra loaf at the grocery store, using it to make panettone French toast is a fantastic idea for a Christmas brunch recipe.

Like most French toast recipes, you dip slices of the bread in a cinnamon- and vanilla-flavored custard, then brown them in a skillet with melted butter. Serve panettone French toast with a generous drizzle of real maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream (hey, it’s the holidays!).

What is panettone?

Panettone is a traditional sweet Italian bread, baked in a tall brown wrapper and sold everywhere during the holiday season—from grocery stores to bakeries and specialty shops in Italy and the United States. The soft, sweet bread features raisins, golden raisins and orange zest like a fruitcake, but with a lighter crumb. When the loaves come out of the oven, they’re cooled upside down to help preserve their airy texture. Like most homemade baked goods, homemade panettone can be much more delicious than store-bought.

Ingredients for Panettone French Toast

• Panettone: Your loaf can be stale or fresh; both will work for French toast. Here’s how to cut bread without tearing it—even soft loaves like this one.
• Eggs: Use large eggs for this recipe. They create a thick, custard-like batter that soaks into the bread slices.
• Milk: Whole milk is best for a rich flavor in French toast. Half-and-half, which is part milk and part cream, will also work.
• Vanilla extract: To give French toast made with panettone the best flavor, use a good-quality vanilla extract or even homemade vanilla extract.
• Cinnamon: Any type of cinnamon, like mild Ceylon or stronger-flavored Vietnamese, works well in this recipe. Just make sure your cinnamon hasn’t expired and become flavorless!
• Butter: Use salted or unsalted butter. Melted butter browns and crisps the surface of the French toast, and it’s melted in the skillet before adding the batter-dipped panettone slices.
• Maple syrup: This sweet, reduced tree sap is the classic accompaniment to any French toast recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Make the batter

In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon.

Step 2: Dip the bread

Working in batches, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, then transfer it to the hot skillet.

Editor’s Tip: You want to coast both sides of each bread slice, ensuring the custard soaks into the bread. Letting it soak for about 30 seconds per side is a good starting point.

Step 3: Cook and serve

Cook the slices until a golden brown crust forms, two to three minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread. Serve the panettone French toast slices warm with additional butter and maple syrup.

Editor’s Tip: If you’re making a big batch of French toast, place the finished pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet and keep them warm in a low-temperature oven until you’re ready to serve them.

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Panettone French Toast Variations

• Add orange liqueur: A splash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier orange liqueur in the French toast batter is a delicious indulgence.
• Serve it with Nutella: Add a generous layer of chocolate hazelnut spread to the warm French toast slices before serving them.
• Add fresh berries: Fresh raspberries or blackberries scattered over the French toast slices will complement the orange flavors of panettone.
• Turn it into dessert: For a unique dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel to your panettone French toast.
• Make baked French toast: Everyone loves a breakfast casserole! To make baked French toast with panettone, lay the sliced bread in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, top the slices with the custard and bake the casserole.

How to Store Panettone French Toast

Save leftover slices of panettone French toast in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.

How long does panettone French toast last?

For the best texture in leftover panettone French toast, eat it within two days. Keep the French toast sealed tightly in the fridge to prevent it from drying out.

Can you freeze panettone French toast?

Yes, panettone French toast freezes very well, making it a smart choice for grab-and-go breakfasts. Lay the cooked and cooled slices on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Once frozen solid, transfer the slices to a sealed container, such as a resealable silicone freezer bag. Store the French toast in the freezer for up to three months.

How do you reheat panettone French toast?

Reheat refrigerated panettone French toast in a nonstick skillet set over medium heat, or in a toaster oven. Frozen panettone French toast is firm enough to be reheated in a regular toaster or toaster oven.

Panettone French Toast Tips

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Is it necessary to soak bread for French toast?

If the panettone or other bread for French toast is stale, soaking it in the batter briefly before frying will soften it. If your bread is fresh, then soaking the bread is just a matter of preference. Soak fresh bread slices in the batter for a creamier, custard-like texture in the French toast. Give the slices a quick dip just before frying for a firmer texture. Just be careful when soaking fresh panettone; you don’t want it to turn to mush.

What can you serve with panettone French toast?

Panettone French toast is really tasty when topped with real maple syrup, whipped cream, melted butter or sauteed apples with cinnamon (or all of the above). Turn the French toast into a full breakfast with sides of breakfast sausage, smoky bacon, homemade scrapple or scrambled eggs.