If angels get to have holiday cake, this is probably the one they pick.
In Italy you know the holidays are coming when big, beautifully wrapped Panettone beckon from magnificently decorated shop windows. Same goes in Ann Arbor. In December, our Bakeshop is filled with Panettone we make ourselves.
If you haven't tried it before, Panettone is the spiritual opposite of all those leaden fruitcakes everyone makes jokes about. It’s a feather-light, golden cake dotted with toasted almonds and slivers of succulent dried fruit, all scented with a generous dose of vanilla. It’s guaranteed to get a rousing round of “oohs” and “aahs” wherever you bring it.
Gift wrapped in purple paper. Serves 8-10.