Perfect Ina Garten Panettone Bread Pudding Recipe for Holiday Magic

Panettone bread pudding transforms an already delightful Italian holiday treat into a decadent dessert that melts hearts faster than butter on warm toast.

Sweet memories of festive gatherings drift through kitchens where this luxurious pudding takes center stage.

Soft, custardy textures promise pure comfort with every spoonful you savor.

Fragrant hints of citrus and vanilla dance alongside rich, golden bread soaked in creamy custard.

Delicate almonds provide a subtle crunch that elevates this classic dessert from simple to spectacular.

Beloved by home cooks and professional chefs alike, this indulgent recipe celebrates tradition with a modern twist.

You’ll want to gather your favorite people around the table for this irresistible sweet experience: pull out your baking dish and get ready to create magic.

Why You’ll Love Panettone Bread Pudding

• Elevate Holiday Comfort: Transform traditional panettone into a luxurious bread pudding that turns a classic Italian holiday bread into a decadent dessert experience. The method creates a rich, custardy treat that feels both familiar and special.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy a delightful contrast between crispy toasted panettone edges and silky smooth custard interior. The sliced and cubed bread technique provides multiple textural layers that make each bite interesting and memorable.
• Effortless Elegance: Prepare this sophisticated dessert with surprisingly simple steps that require minimal culinary expertise. The recipe allows home cooks to create a restaurant-worthy dish without complicated techniques, making it perfect for entertaining or family gatherings.

Panettone Bread Pudding Ingredient Checklist

• Panettone: Traditional Italian sweet bread, rich in flavor with candied fruits and raisins, perfect for a luxurious bread pudding texture.

Sliced and Diced Bread: Toasting helps create a crisp exterior and absorb custard effectively.

• Whole Eggs, Egg Yolks: Provide rich, creamy structure and deep golden color to the pudding.
• Half-and-Half: Creamy dairy base that ensures smooth, silky custard texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the pudding and helps caramelize the top.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic dessert flavor.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus note that complements the panettone's sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.

• Sliced Almonds: Adds crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the top of the pudding.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Light dusting provides elegant presentation and subtle additional sweetness.
• Melted Butter: Used for greasing the baking dish, prevents sticking and adds richness.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps control baking temperature and prevents over-browning.

Steps to Bake the Best Bread Pudding

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and get ready for magic.

Step 2: Transform The Panettone

• Slice half of the panettone into ½-inch thick pieces
• Dice the remaining half into 1-inch cubes

Spread these bread pieces on a sheet pan and toast for 8-10 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 3: Prepare The Baking Canvas

Generously brush a 10 × 14 × 2-inch rectangular baking dish with melted butter. Create a beautiful base layer with the sliced panettone, trimming edges to fit perfectly. Sprinkle the toasted cubes on top for extra texture.

Step 4: Craft The Silky Custard

• Whole eggs
• Egg yolks
• Half-and-half
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest
• Salt

Step 5: Create Delicious Layers

Pour the dreamy custard over the panettone, gently pressing the bread to help it soak up all the goodness. Let it rest for 10 minutes or chill in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Scatter sliced almonds across the top. Place the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan. Fill the outer pan with very hot water, reaching halfway up the dish’s side. Cover with aluminum foil, creating a tent to avoid direct contact with the pudding. Poke a few steam holes in the foil.

Bake for 45 minutes covered, then remove the foil and continue baking for 35-45 minutes until a knife comes out clean.

Step 7: Serve With Love

Carefully remove the dish from the water bath. Dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature, and watch everyone fall in love with this dessert.

Tips for a Custardy, Soft Center

• Select Aged Panettone: Grab a day-old panettone for the most delightful texture. Slightly stale bread absorbs the rich custard better, creating a more luxurious dessert.
• Press and Soak Technique: Gently press down bread slices into the custard mixture. This ensures every piece gets perfectly saturated, delivering a creamy, dreamy bite.
• Master the Water Bath: Create a gentle cooking environment by using a water bath. This method prevents scorching and helps the pudding bake evenly, maintaining its silky smooth consistency.
• Knife Test Perfection: Check pudding doneness with a simple knife insertion. A clean knife means your dessert is perfectly cooked and ready to wow your guests.
• Rest and Settle: Allow the pudding to cool slightly after baking. Resting helps the custard set, making it easier to slice and serve with elegant precision.

How to Store Bread Pudding After Baking

• Freezer Storage: Seal cooled panettone bread pudding in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents. Frozen dessert stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly wrapped.
• Refrigerator Preservation: Transfer completely cooled bread pudding to airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Keep chilled sections separate to maintain texture. Consume within 4-5 days for optimal flavor and freshness.
• Room Temperature Handling: Allow hot bread pudding to cool completely before covering. Place a clean kitchen towel loosely over the dish to prevent moisture buildup. Consume within 2 hours if left at room temperature to ensure food safety.

Panettone Pudding Variations to Try

• Italian Citrus Splash: Replace orange zest with lemon or bergamot zest for a bright, tangy Mediterranean flavor profile that enhances the bread pudding's richness.
• Chocolate Cherry Comfort: Mix in chopped dark chocolate and dried cherries between panettone layers to create a decadent, indulgent dessert with deep, complex notes.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the finished pudding and sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts or pecans for added texture and sweet-nutty complexity.
• Rum-Soaked Winter Warmth: Soak panettone cubes in dark rum before assembling, then add a splash of rum to the custard mixture for a boozy, festive winter dessert that warms from within.

Final Scoop of Sweet Pudding Joy

Panettone bread pudding whispers Italian holiday magic through each luxurious spoonful.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms classic ingredients into an indulgent dessert that celebrates seasonal comfort.

Warm custard-soaked bread melts with rich almond and citrus notes, creating Mediterranean memories on every plate.

Delicate slices promise pure culinary delight, blending traditional techniques with sophisticated flavors.

Sophisticated home cooks can master this elegant dessert with confidence and grace.

Passionate food enthusiasts – dive into this recipe, share your delectable results, spark conversations, and spread sweet inspiration across social media platforms.

Ina Garten Panettone Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s panettone bread pudding delivers Italian holiday magic with rich custardy layers of sweet bread and creamy vanilla essence. Festive comfort arrives perfectly balanced, inviting dessert lovers to savor each luxurious spoonful of this classic winter treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1¼ pounds (565 grams) panettone (Italian sweet bread)
• 4 extra-large eggs
• 6 extra-large egg yolks
• 5 cups (1.2 liters) half-and-half

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon grated orange zest
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Additional Ingredients:

• 1½ tablespoons (22.5 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅓ cup (30 grams) sliced blanched almonds

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Instructions

1. Initiate oven preparation by setting the temperature to 350°F (175°C), ensuring precise heat configuration for the upcoming dessert.
2. Deconstruct the panettone by slicing half into ½-inch (1.25 cm) thick pieces and transforming the remaining portion into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Toast these bread fragments on a sheet pan for 8 to 10 minutes until they acquire a delicate golden hue.
3. Prepare a 10 × 14 × 2-inch (25 × 35 × 5 cm) rectangular baking vessel by generously coating the interior with melted butter. Meticulously layer the panettone slices across the bottom, trimming edges to create a uniform surface. Distribute the toasted cubes evenly atop the initial layer.
4. Craft the luxurious custard base by whisking together whole eggs, additional egg yolks, half-and-half, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, fragrant orange zest, and a precise measure of salt in a spacious mixing bowl.
5. Gently cascade the custard mixture over the arranged panettone, ensuring complete coverage. Softly compress the bread to maximize liquid absorption. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes, or refrigerate up to 6 hours for enhanced flavor development.
6. Embellish the surface with sliced almonds. Position the baking dish within a larger 13 × 16-inch (33 × 41 cm) roasting pan. Carefully introduce very hot water into the outer pan, filling it halfway up the baking dish’s side. Shield the pudding with aluminum foil, creating a protective tent with strategically placed ventilation holes. Bake initially for 45 minutes covered, then unveil and continue baking for an additional 35 to 45 minutes until a knife emerges cleanly from the center.
7. Extract the pudding from the water bath with utmost care. Allow slight cooling before presenting the dessert. Delicately dust the surface with confectioners’ sugar, creating an elegant finishing touch. Serve either warm or at ambient temperature for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Transform stale panettone into a luxurious dessert by using bread that’s a day or two old, preventing soggy texture.
• Gently press panettone slices into the custard mixture, allowing each piece to absorb the creamy liquid completely for maximum flavor.
• Create a protective water bath during baking to ensure even cooking and maintain the pudding’s delicate moisture.
• Test pudding’s readiness by inserting a clean knife into the center, which should come out without any wet custard clinging to it.
• Allow the pudding to rest briefly after baking, helping it set perfectly and making slicing into beautiful portions easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (1/8 of recipe)
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg