Opinion – Marcelo Katsuki: 10 Panettones to celebrate Christmas

This end of the year has a special flavor thanks to the prospect of being able to gather the family and enjoy Christmas — taking the necessary precautions, of course. And if Christmas is synonymous with rebirth, family together, roasted turkey and exchanging gifts, it’s also the time to eat panettone. And this year we’ve already seen the most varied flavors, even bannoffe panettone. It would be a bannettone, lol? Faced with so many options, even those who didn’t like Panettone, now find a flavor to call their own. Below, a selection of 10 copies that will look great on your table.

• Panettone filled with gelato from Albero dei Gelati. The pasta recipe was developed by Gianluigi Tosches and uses the same organic ingredients used in the house’s gelato, such as Native sugar, eggs from Sítio Malabar and butter from Terra Límpida Farm. The classic 750 g Panettone costs R$169. Stuffed with gelato like chocolate (photo), panda flower or pistachio, the price goes up to R$ 230. Where to find it: @albero_br

• Brazilian Panettone by Tem Umami made with cupuaçu, banana and handmade dulce de leche. There are three options: traditional (R$ 58), Bean to bar chocolate (R$ 64) and cupuaçu (R$ 69). All with 500 g and produced with organic ingredients and 100% natural fermentation. Sales at @temumami and soon at the store located on the ground floor of the Copan building.

• Panettone with dulce de leche and fleur de sel from Carlo’s Bakery, available in two sizes: 720g (R$95) and 1.3kg (R$120). This was the best-selling Panettone in 2020 at the confectioner Buddy Valastro’s stores. Comes in beautiful custom tins with gold accents. The brand also offers two options: candied fruit 500g (R$69) and 1kg (R95) and truffled, with filling and frosting of chocolate 720g (R$95) and 1.3kg (R$120). Where to find: @carlosbakerysp

• The Felice e Maria Panettone from the Restauranteur Massimo Ferrari has a classic recipe and only uses candied fruit in the dough and a sugary crust with many almonds on the topping. The novelty for this year is that the dough is already “rested”, bringing the refined flavor, and the handmade Santa Claus doll, which was sold separately until last year, now comes with the packaging. It weighs 1 kg and costs R$ 188. @felicemariagastronomia

• The Double Chocolate Panettone in the 400g version (suggested price of R$79.90) is Lindt’s launch for exclusive sale in supermarkets and emporiums. The recipe mixes milk chocolate with 50% cocoa chocolate chips. The brand has 54 physical and e-commerce stores where you can buy five more Panettone options, such as Sicilian orange and gianduia. Where to find: @lindt_brasil

• Panettone Bean to Bar by Casa Bonometti, with buttery dough enriched with caramelized Brazil nuts and chocolate bean to bar. It weighs 500 g and costs R$ 68. Another interesting option is the Panettone MBee, developed by chef Lu Bonometti. The pasta features caramelized almonds in Jataí honey, citrus zest, candied orange and white raisins. Price: R$92 at @casabonometti

• Panettone Antica Ricetta Fasano is an old family recipe and features pale pasta, Sultana raisins, Italian honey and dried fruit. The finish is due to the crystallized glassate on the cover, also used in the traditional recipe. It weighs 750g and costs R$ 240. It can be found in Selezione Fasano’s stores and in the group’s restaurants. @fasano

• Quitanda Panettones, made by pastry chef Ramiro Bertassin. Made with natural fermentation dough, they are sold in the Traditional version (BRL 49.99) and Chocolate Quitanda (BRL 49.99) with Belgian chocolate drops. Pistachio Panettone (R$ 119.90) has a limited edition of 100 units and takes chocolate ganache and Italian pistachio paste in its preparation. Pezze di Panettone à Cioccolato brings pieces of dough covered with milk chocolate and costs R$ 46.99. Where to find: @lanaquitanda

• Avellone and Limottone are the novelties of Biscoitê, a biscuit boutique. The Panettone, with 740 g, was inspired by two of its biscuits: Nutella’s Soft Cookie and Di Limonê. Avellone (R$ 129.90) brings milk chocolate chips and a hazelnut cream filling, as well as cocoa star cookies with ginger topping. Di Limonê (R$ 129.90) is made with drops of milk chocolate and Sicilian lemon filling. @biscoitebrasil

• Danke Panettone Candy. They are pieces of Panettone and cashew nuts wrapped in milk chocolate. They come in a beautiful golden tube and bring 200 g of bonbons at a price of R$ 54.90. Another nice option is the Christmas Star Box (R$ 39.90) which brings 162 g of 63% cocoa bonbons filled with red fruits and cherry. Where to find: @dankecacau

(Photos: disclosure)