The 15 Best Panettone Picks to Try This Christmas

With the holiday season comes an array of dessert delights—and no Christmas celebration, Italian or otherwise, is complete without the traditional panettone. Originating from the northern regions of Italy, this Milanese sweet bread is a formidable Christmas dessert, bejeweled with candied fruit, and sometimes decadent chocolate or nuts. Today, panettone has made its way into grocery stores and pastry shops all over the world—but while this yeast-risen fruitcake is extremely popular, it has also gained a reputation for being one of the hardest goods to bake.\xa0

So, if you’re planning to leave it to the pastry chef professionals, head straight to the nearest Eataly or Italian deli for an instant taste of the holidays, where endless possibilities await. Do you fancy chocolate chips? What about the crunch of pistachios or almonds, or the zing of candied citrus and orange peel? Or, perhaps, the sweetness of dried fruit like raisins and cherries? Also, let’s not forget budget: the delicacy comes with a price range as diverse as its flavor profiles, ranging from a modest $15 to more indulgent options surpassing $50.\xa0

Below, find 15 of the best panettone, from il classico to a rich dark chocolate version—all best enjoyed with a limoncello digestif. Buon natale!\xa0