The Christmas cake battle - Pandora or Panettone?

Everybody knows that Italy is a heaven for foodlovers and christmas season is definetly no exception! The country boasts an amazing variety of christmas sweets as the tradition of these 'dolci di Natale' is long and varied- hundreds of types of cakes, cookies and sweets are prepared from North to South. And believe me, they really are a piece of art! Can you imagine that Italian bakers sell aproximetly 117 million of the traditional Italian christmas cakes a year!!!

Basically every region in Italy has its own sweet christmas speciality but only two have national recognition as the symbols of Christmas - Pandoro and Panettone. What is the difference then between these two iconic italian treats?

Panettone has its roots from Milan and has a distinctive domed shape studded with raisins and candied fruit. It is one of the most difficult Italian cakes to make (the dough takes several days to prepare!) so most Italians buy their panettoni from their local bakeries or at the supermarkets. Belive me, the selection is amazing! It's often given as a precious Christmas gift to family and friends! There are a variety of premium manufacturers and their panettone can be quite costly.

Pandoro, the snowy fluffy brioche-like cake, is Verona's answer to Panettone. It's a rich, buttery cake with a bright golden colour (pan d’oro means ‘golden bread’) without candied fruit. It has traditionally a starshaped form that is sprinkled with powdered sugar before serving. Nowadays you can find new verisons of Pandoro like the ones stuffed with chocolate, limoncello or cream.

Traditionally during the holidays Italians eat a slice of pandoro or panettone for breakfast with a foamy cappuccino - a real seasonal breakfas but it's always hard to stop at just one piece!

Allora, here comes up the dilemma in many families; which one should you serve...the panettone or pandoro? Being a sweet tooth myself I have to admit that I am of the Milanese persuasion. I just love the candied fruit and raisins inside the cake. But then almost rest of the family prefers Pandoro instead! I have figured it all out a couple of years ago and found a perfect solution: I serve them both!

Buon Natale a tutti!!

Salla

PS. Propably there will be some cake leftovers after the holidays but what ever you do don't throw them away! I'll post a few amazing ideas as what to bake out of them after the holidays!