As an Italian spending Christmas in London, finding touches of home is always a delight. Bauli’s Panettone and Pandoro, now available at ASDA and Ocado, bring the comforting warmth of Italian holiday traditions to the UK, making it easy to recreate an authentic festive experience.
A heritage of Italian craft skills
Bauli, a cherished name in Italian baking since 1922, has long been synonymous with Christmas celebrations across Italy. The brand’s unwavering dedication to quality shines through in its traditional recipes, natural ingredients, and meticulous baking methods. The secret lies in Bauli’s revered ‘Mother Yeast,’ which undergoes a 40-hour double rising process, ensuring unmatched softness and flavour without chemical additives.
The history of Panettone
Panettone’s origins date back to 15th-century Milan, where it is believed to have first been baked during Christmastime. According to legend, a nobleman fell in love with the daughter of a baker and disguised himself as an apprentice to win her favour. Together, they created a special sweet bread to impress her father, which became known as “pan del Toni,” after the apprentice’s name. Over time, this simple bread evolved into the luxurious, fruit-filled treat we enjoy today.
Panettone’s rise in popularity was cemented in the 20th century when Italian bakers refined the recipe, incorporating techniques like the long fermentation process that gives it its characteristic lightness. Today, it’s a staple of Italian Christmas celebrations, symbolising indulgence and festivity.
The Christmas Essentials: Panettone and Pandoro
Panettone
This iconic Italian fruitcake is a Christmas classic. Light yet buttery, it features candied citron and plump raisins, with a delicate sweetness that perfectly complements any festive spread.
Pandoro
Hailing from Verona, the star-shaped Pandoro is a softer, fluffier alternative with a subtle vanilla flavour. Its golden interior and snowy dusting of icing sugar evoke holiday elegance, making it perfect for celebrations.
Why Bauli stands oout
Bauli’s commitment to excellence begins with premium ingredients:
- Real Butter for a rich, creamy texture.
- High-Quality Candied Fruit that preserves its flavour and texture.
- The revered Mother Yeast, nurtured for over a century, ensuring the perfect rise and taste.
At the heart of Bauli’s unmatched quality and flavour lies its most prized secret: the Mother Yeast. This naturally fermented sourdough starter, cherished and nurtured for over 100 years, is the cornerstone of Bauli’s Panettone and Pandoro recipes.
The Mother Yeast is no ordinary ingredient; it is a living tradition safeguarded with care and reverence. Kept in a secure, locked safe at Bauli’s production facility in Verona, the yeast is treated as both a culinary treasure and a symbol of the brand’s enduring commitment to excellence.
Each day, a trusted baker or pâtissier meticulously reworks the Mother Yeast by feeding it with flour and water to maintain its vitality. This daily ritual ensures the yeast remains active and ready to impart its unique characteristics to Bauli’s products. This process requires precision, expertise, and dedication, as the yeast’s health and balance are crucial to the long fermentation process that gives Bauli’s baked goods their extraordinary texture and flavour.
The Mother Yeast is responsible for:
- Exceptional Lightness: Thanks to its natural fermentation, Bauli’s Panettone and Pandoro achieve a soft, airy texture without the need for artificial additives or preservatives.
- Rich, Complex Flavour: The yeast creates subtle, nuanced notes that complement the buttery sweetness of the cakes.
- Long Shelf Life: The natural fermentation process also enhances freshness and longevity, making these treats perfect for the holiday season.
This cherished ingredient symbolises Bauli’s dedication to tradition and innovation, ensuring that each product carries the same authenticity and quality as it did a century ago. Whether you’re enjoying a slice of Panettone or Pandoro, you’re savouring the result of decades of passion and craftsmanship, all made possible by the care devoted to the revered Mother Yeast.
A personal connection
For me, Bauli captures the essence of Christmas in Italy, bringing back memories of festive tables laden with these sweet delights. Now, with Bauli available in London, it’s easy to feel at home even when far away.
Bringing Italy to your festive table
Bauli’s offerings suit both grand feasts and small festive touches:
- 500g Panettone (£7.00 at ASDA) for family gatherings.
- Mini Panettone (90g) (£2.50 at ASDA), ideal for gifting or even decorating your Christmas tree.
- 500g Pandoro (£10.00 at Ocado) for an indulgent centrepiece.
- Mini Pandoro (100g) (£3.45 at Ocado) for a personal treat.
If you want to try and make panettone yourself, here’s the traditional recipe for you.