"panettone" news and stories

National Cupcake Day may have come and gone, but we're eternally enamored with these dainty treats. And so are the folks behind the Cupcake Project, who devoted their baking duties to creating the perfect sweet to serve at a friend's wedding. They toiled relentlessly -- and enjoyed the fruits of their labors so much that they are now on project number three.

Though we were impressed by everything from their seasonal Gingerbread Latte cupcakes to a rich, chocolaty Ferrero Rocher variety, we're preheating our ovens for their recipe for Panettone Cupcakes. With the bakers' creativity, the fruit-filled Milanese bread, typically served at Christmastime, transforms into handy individual portions--ready to mix and mingle at holiday cocktail parties.

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Panettone is one of the many holiday sweets I look forward to every year. Its balance between the moist, soft, fluffy inside and crunchy nut exterior is precious. Apparently the aroma of this bread permeates villages throughout northern Italy this time of the year. Ah, I yearn to be there at this very moment!

As a result of my panettone obsession, I tend to buy a lot more than I can eat before it goes stale. Fortunately, there are several ways to cooking panettone even after it loses its delicious soft texture. For example, it makes a distinctive fruity french toast and bread pudding.

Below are 8 ways to use stale panettone:

1. Panettone Bread Pudding
   
2. Cardamom and Orange Panettone Toast
3. Panettone French Toast
4. Arugula and Roasted Fruit Salad with Panettone Croutons
5. Panettone Stuffing
6. Panettone Panzanella with Pancetta and Brussels Sprouts
7. Eggnog-Panettone Bread Pudding
8. Grilled Panettone with Strawberry Ice Cream and Almonds

Where are some other ways you cook stale panettone?

While you're thinking about what to serve for this holiday season, here's something else to think about: AOL Food's quiz on holiday foods. Ten questions on everything from advocaat and candy canes to mulled wine and pfeffernusse.

I got eight out of ten, which is better than I usually do with these quizzes. One I guessed on and got right, and another one I got because they showed a picture that was a huge clue.