Fig & Chocolate Panettone from Rustichella d'Abruzzo

Italian Christmas Cake with Figs & Chocolate

Studded with plump dried figs and dark chocolate chips and scented with natural vanilla, Rustichella d'Abruzzo's Fig & Chocolate Panettone is an elegant addition to the holiday table. This rich, delicate bread is made with a special natural yeast, and the dough is left to rise three times (for almost 20 hours total) to create an ideally tender and flavorful bite.

Your panettone can be warmed for a few minutes in a very hot oven and served with crème anglaise or fresh cream whisked with mascarpone. This golden cake is traditionally eaten as a festive finish to the Christmas meal along with glasses of dessert wine, mixed nuts, dried fruit and torrone. Buy a few extra for hostess gifts and a couple more to make fabulous French toast in the morning.