panettonne

Last year when we were at Sam's Club shopping, I bought a loaf of Panettone(Italian fruitcake). It was so huge and took us forever to eat, but we loved it!! So, when I picked up the Food Network magazine for December, I found a recipe for Panettone to be made as a gift. "What a great find!" I made the mix to give away as a gift. I also made the loaves to give along with the gift so the friends would know what it tastes like! I took pictures of the finished product and cut one up so you can see the insides! Recipe is long, so here it goes:1/3 cup of diced candied orange peel,3/4c of dried cherries,3/4c of golden raisins,3/4c of diced dried apricots,1/2c of sugar.1 Tablespoon of active dry yeast,3 1/2c of flour,and 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt. This makes 2 loaves for a 5x9 buttered pan, or in my case 4 mini loaves. Melt 1 stick of butter with 1 cup of milk(watch it so not to burn or get too hot), add 1/4c of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon zest. This needs to cool down to no more than 120 degrees otherwise you kill the yeast! Beat 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla together and add to cooled milk, then add to mixture and blend together. Let this rise for 1 hour covered, then put mixture into pans and let rise for another hour! Bake at 350 degrees for 50 -55 minutes. Blessings!