Panettone Cookies are a delightful and simpler alternative to the traditional Italian Christmas bread, panettone. These cookies are packed with the same festive flavors of dried fruits, citrus, and a hint of vanilla, making them a perfect treat for the holiday season. With a crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior, they offer a bite-sized version of the much-loved panettone, making them an easy and festive addition to any holiday cookie platter.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp orange zest

• 1/2 cup dried fruit (like raisins, currants, or mixed dried fruit)

• 1/2 cup candied orange peel, chopped

• 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing well.

3. Add the Fruit: Stir in the dried fruit and candied orange peel. Add the milk a little at a time until the dough comes together and is slightly sticky.

4. Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

5. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges.

6. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrients (approximate per cookie)

• Calories: 150-180 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 20-25g

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 8-10g

• Sugar: 12-14g

The Charm of Panettone Flavors in a Cookie Form

What makes Panettone Cookies so special is the ability to capture the essence of the traditional Italian bread in a smaller, more manageable form. The key to this flavor profile lies in the ingredients that are characteristic of panettone itself—dried fruits like raisins or currants, candied orange peel, citrus zest, and vanilla extract. These ingredients come together to provide a combination of sweet, tangy, and fragrant notes that evoke the holiday spirit.

The dried fruit in the cookies not only adds sweetness but also a chewiness that contrasts beautifully with the crispness of the outer cookie. The candied orange peel offers a bright, citrusy punch that balances out the richness of the butter and sugar. The addition of orange zest adds another layer of citrus flavor, enhancing the cookies’ fragrance and depth. Together, these flavors create a perfect blend of the familiar and festive tastes associated with panettone but in a much more compact and easy-to-eat form.

The Versatility of Panettone Cookies for Holiday Baking

One of the best things about Panettone Cookies is their versatility. While the traditional recipe calls for raisins, currants, or mixed dried fruits, these cookies are easily customizable to suit your preferences. If you prefer a different kind of dried fruit, such as dried cranberries, apricots, or figs, you can swap out the raisins and currants for those. This allows you to create a unique version of the cookies that caters to your personal taste.

In addition to dried fruit, you can also experiment with different types of candied peel. While the recipe calls for candied orange peel, candied lemon peel or even a combination of citrus peels can be used for a slightly different flavor profile. For those who enjoy a bit of extra sweetness or texture, adding chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios can be a wonderful way to add crunch and complexity to the cookies.

The Importance of the Butter and Sugar Mixture

In any cookie recipe, the creaming of butter and sugar is a critical step in achieving the perfect texture. For Panettone Cookies, this step is no different. The butter, when creamed with sugar, creates an airy, fluffy texture that will allow the cookies to spread slightly during baking. This process also helps to incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies light and tender, just like a panettone.

The addition of egg to the butter and sugar mixture ensures that the dough binds together well, providing the cookies with structure. The vanilla extract and orange zest are added at this stage, infusing the dough with deep, aromatic flavors that form the base of the cookie’s overall taste. Together, these ingredients contribute to the cookie’s soft, chewy interior while giving the dough enough structure to bake into perfectly shaped cookies.

The Simplicity of the Dough and Its Handling

What makes Panettone Cookies so user-friendly is the simplicity of the dough. The dough comes together quickly and doesn’t require any complicated steps or special equipment. After mixing the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—the wet ingredients are added to create the dough. Once the dough is formed, it’s stirred to incorporate the dried fruits and candied peel.

If the dough feels too sticky, a little milk is added to bring it together. The dough should be sticky enough to roll into balls but not so wet that it spreads too much during baking. This consistency ensures that the cookies will hold their shape and bake evenly.

When shaping the cookies, it’s important to keep the dough portions uniform in size. By using a tablespoon to scoop out portions and rolling them into balls, you ensure that each cookie will bake in the same amount of time. Spacing the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet allows for slight spreading during baking, ensuring that the cookies maintain their shape while still being perfectly tender.

Baking the Cookies: Achieving the Perfect Texture

Baking Panettone Cookies is relatively quick, making them a great option for busy holiday baking sessions. The cookies should bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. It’s important to keep an eye on the cookies during the final minutes of baking to ensure they don’t overbake. The cookies should be golden on the edges while remaining soft in the center.

Once the cookies have baked, it’s essential to let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and retain their shape. Allowing the cookies to cool completely will ensure they achieve their ideal texture—crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with a satisfying bite that makes them the perfect holiday treat.

The Aesthetic Appeal of Panettone Cookies

Not only are these cookies delicious, but they are also visually appealing. The mix of dried fruits and candied peel creates a speckled effect throughout the dough, giving each cookie a festive look. The natural golden-brown color of the baked cookies, with their slightly chewy texture, makes them an inviting and attractive addition to any holiday cookie platter.

These cookies also look beautiful when served as part of a holiday spread, especially when paired with other traditional holiday treats. They’re an excellent choice for gifting, too. Packaged in a tin or gift box, these Panettone Cookies make for a thoughtful and tasty holiday gift that shows your love and care.

Panettone Cookies as Part of a Holiday Cookie Platter

Panettone Cookies are a great addition to any holiday cookie platter. Their unique flavor, which evokes the spirit of traditional panettone, sets them apart from more common holiday cookies. The combination of dried fruits, citrus zest, and vanilla makes these cookies a perfect complement to other treats like gingerbread cookies, shortbread, or sugar cookies. The festive flavors also make them a perfect match for a variety of beverages, including hot cocoa, mulled wine, or a festive punch.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, attending a cookie exchange, or simply indulging in some holiday baking, these cookies will be a standout addition. Their easy preparation and delightful flavor make them a crowd-pleaser, and they’re sure to be a hit with anyone who enjoys the classic flavors of panettone but in a more accessible and bite-sized form.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Panettone Cookies offer a simple, yet flavorful twist on the traditional Italian holiday bread, panettone. With their festive combination of dried fruits, citrus zest, and a hint of vanilla, they provide all the rich, aromatic flavors of panettone in a convenient, easy-to-bake cookie. The cookies are versatile, allowing you to customize them with your favorite mix-ins, and their simple dough makes them a quick and satisfying treat for any holiday occasion.

Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, gifting homemade treats, or preparing for a holiday cookie exchange, these Panettone Cookies are sure to be a hit. Their sweet and tangy flavor profile, coupled with their crisp exterior and soft, chewy interior, makes them the perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter. This recipe offers a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of panettone without the time and effort required for the traditional bread. So, this holiday season, make these delicious cookies part of your festive baking tradition.