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10 best panettone for Christmas 2024
The fluffiest Italian festive treats, as tried by our experts
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
Panettone is typically made with dried fruit, candied citrus peel, almonds and brandy — though, as the Good Housekeeping Institute found out in this year’s Christmas taste test, there are now plenty of more experimental flavour combinations worth trying, too.
Best panettone 2024
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How do you pick a good panettone?
With so many varieties on offer, we asked Deborah Parietti, Director & Founder of Feast Italy what to look out for in the perfect panettone.
“While the first appearance of a panettone is important, it’s inside that makes the real difference,” Parietti explains. “You should look for bubbly dough with an intense yellow colour and a soft, bouncy consistency. This indicates that the rising process was long and slow (up to 72 hours in some cases).
“Fruit should be evenly distributed throughout the bake, and the aromas of butter, vanilla, raisins and orange should fill the air with its festive scent.
“Taste-wise, we’d be looking for a crust that’s as soft as the middle, without any bitterness, or worse, burnt aftertaste. A good panettone should be moist but not greasy, with well-balanced ingredients that don’t overpower one another.”
Should panettone be refrigerated?
“In a word, no,” says Parietti. “It’s best to keep your panettone in its original packaging, while trying to remove excess air, which will keep your bake moist.
“If it starts to get a little dry, it can help to warm it up a little, which allows the butter (or other oils if dairy free) to soften the dough again.”
What do you drink with panettone?
“Panettone is usually opened at the end of the Christmas feast, and is delicious served alongside coffee, dessert wine, hot chocolate or tea, as well as bubbles,” Parietti recommends.
Whether you choose to eat yours after Christmas Day lunch or for breakfast in the days to follow, tradition says you must keep one slice until 3 February, have it blessed and eat it first thing in the morning to keep sickness away for the rest of the year! But after tucking into one of our top picks, you may struggle to keep hold of it beyond Boxing Day…
How we test panettone
Our experts sampled 18 classic and flavoured panettone to find the tastiest picks for Christmas 2024.
They were looking for a good rise and a rich, buttery taste, though the flavours ranged from traditional dried fruit and candied peel to more daring combinations of chocolate, hazelnuts and even limoncello.
Score: 94/100
With an impressive score, Waitrose’s flavoured panettone stood out as a clear winner for 2024. Oozy pockets of creamy lemon curd are dotted throughout, and sparkling wine syrup adds a well-integrated boozy back note.
Our testers also enjoyed the DIY element with the star stencil and fizzy sherbet, allowing them to add the final flourish before serving. It's a show-stopping treat, ready to take centre stage at Christmas brunch.
Score: 90/100
Traditionalists may prefer Sainsbury’s classic panettone, with its complex-tasting dough that’s packed with almonds and boozy vine fruit. It looks super impressive, with roasted almonds and nibbed sugar sprinkled on top, and would work well with a shot of espresso on the side.
Score: 89/100
Keeping things classic, Morrisons’ traditional fruit-filled bake impressed our panel. The golden sponge tasted rich and buttery, with large chunks of zesty candied lemon peel for balance. Looking for an alternative serving suggestion?
Try it in this triple tested bread and butter panettone recipe.
Score: 89/100
Our experts were impressed with this innovative festive bake. It got a big thumbs up for its generous helping of cherries, cranberries, almonds and mixed peel, which stood out like a sprinkling of glittering jewels on top. Sticky and delicious, the plump blackberries, bitter dark chocolate and kirsch kick work a treat together.
Score: 86/100
If you’re a fan of fruity Christmas cake, we think you’ll enjoy the festive spice present in Tesco’s traditional panettone. It also won praise for its ultra buttery flavour profile and lovely glossy glaze.
Score: 86/100
Aldi’s affordable bake is ideal to have on standby throughout the festive season. The filling is generous, with ribbons of oozy, melted chocolate sauce and chocolate chips interspersed throughout. At this price, we think it’s the ideal afternoon pick-me-up.
Score: 82/100
With oh-so-soft sponge and sweet, plump fruit, Harvey Nichols’ panettone is slightly smaller than most but just as full-flavoured. The taste reminded some of a lightly baked croissant and will appeal to those without a wildly sweet tooth.
Score: 76/100
Aldi’s classic offering is just as well priced as its flavoured version and is a good pick for those who prefer a more authentic recipe.
When we cut into it, the cake filled the kitchen with the scent of sweet, sherbet-y citrus, and while the fruit isn’t quite as juicy as you’ll find in others, it’s still a solid buy for those on a budget.
Score: 76/100
With dark chocolate spread and a salty sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts, this giant panettone made a great first impression on our panel. And it tasted every bit as good as it looked, with the gooey chocolate sauce complementing the savoury notes in the dough.
Score: 76/100
If you’re never quite able to finish a full-sized panettone, this budget-friendly bake for one is a great choice. Much like a nostalgic black forest gateau, the juicy cherries provide a natural sweetness, and the bitter chocolate chunks aren’t too sweet either. Simple and well-balanced, it’s an excellent tea-time treat.
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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