From the magical history of Christmas panettone to the ancient amaretti.
Discover the stories behind our delicacies, to savor not only their taste, but also the cultural and historical value that makes them unique.
Blog
How to decorate Christmas panettone
Are you wondering how you could make your Christmas panettone more delicious and more beautiful to look at? You could consider decorating the panettone by working with sugar paste: it won't be easy, but we assure you that everyone will be amazed to see a decorated panettone arrive at the table!
As for the taste, it's worth noting that this is undoubtedly an unprecedented version of the classic panettone, so it might encounter resistance from traditional purists.
That said, if you want to try your hand at cake design or if you're already a fan or an expert, modeling sugar paste will be truly enjoyable.
After discussing which creams to pair with panettone to enhance its flavor and how to reuse leftovers so not even a crumb is wasted of this exquisite holiday cake, it's time to talk about how to decorate Christmas panettone.Let's see together which aspects to consider to do it best.
Panettone decorated with sugar paste: the choices to make
The first decision to make before proceeding with working the sugar paste (also called "fondant") for the panettone is whether to cut off the top part of the cake to obtain a flat surface, thus creating a "cake effect," or to leave it as is, irregular and unique.
Once you have evaluated which solution is right for you, you will also need to decide whether to leave a part of the panettone uncovered, for example, decorating only the top part, or whether to cover the entire surface with decorations.
Remember that you will also need to get the adhesive to properly attach the sugar paste elements to the panettone: based on your preferences and available time, you can choose between buttercream, jelly, jam, honey, or chocolate ganache.
Ideas for sugar paste decorations on panettone
Let's get to the heart of the matter and discover some ideas on which shapes to create with the sugar paste that will decorate the panettone.
Traditional decorations
The first suggestion is to create a small Christmas gift package, also gluing snowflakes onto the surface for a simple and classic result.
Another tip in line with Christmas tradition is to build a small sugar paste nativity scene, modeling the main characters with fondant.
Alternatively, you can opt for the timeless Santa Claus, and you can enrich the decoration with Christmas trees on large wooden sticks, but remember not to unbalance the panettone too much!
If you prefer more minimalist traditional decorations, you can create a holly branch: the panettone will already be different from the usual and certainly more festive!
Cute decorations
Let's now move on to more ironic and charming fondant modeling ideas, such as small penguins with Santa hats: a perfect topper for a panettone decorated with sugar paste and usually very popular with children.
Following this cute and lighthearted path, you can choose to create a snowman with a hat, perhaps adding other elements such as gift boxes or Christmas stars.
Another idea that brings a smile is Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, who could emerge from the sugar paste "snow" and peek out over the panettone.
As you can see, there are many creative ideas for decorating panettone; it's up to you to choose those that best align with your skills, time, and preferences.Have fun!
Chiostro di Saronno: premium quality panettone and pandoro
At Chiostro di Saronno, we meticulously select raw materials and process them with a strictly traditional method.Our panettones and pandoros are not only delicious to taste but also beautiful to look at and to give as gifts: take a look at our special packaging in tin boxes.
You can find all Chiostro di Saronno pastry and biscuit items on our website, available for online purchase with just a few clicks. What are you waiting for to choose your favorites?
How to reuse leftover panettone
If you are looking for ideas to reuse leftover panettone from holiday meals, you've come to the right place. Here you will find some tips for repurposing one of Italy's most classic Christmas desserts and enjoying it even after the holidays, but in new forms. Let's start by understanding how to reuse leftover panettone with our options for an alternative use of this classic dessert.
Serve it with creams
One of the first suggestions we give you for revisiting leftover panettone is to serve it with delicious creams, making it even richer. From traditional mascarpone to more original alternatives, creams are always perfect for enjoying panettone in a different and truly delicious way.We have written a dedicated article on this topic, which we invite you to read for some input.
Have panettone for breakfast
The second tip is as simple as it is good and consists of using panettone as the star of breakfast for adults and children, perhaps accompanied by a nice cup of milk, coffee with milk, or hot tea. And why not, it can also be enjoyed as a snack!
Are you worried it's no longer soft and fragrant like when it was first opened? You just need to warm it in the oven for a few minutes to revive it. Not only that: toasting panettone also allows you to savor it like a rusk, perhaps with a little jam, thus achieving a breakfast capable of conquering anyone with its genuineness and sweetness.
Revisit desserts
In addition to creams that can accompany and enhance it, panettone also works well revisited as a dessert or cake, creating interesting variations on the theme compared to traditional sweets.
For example, you could pair a slice of panettone with a fresh fruit tiramisu, or transform it into an unusual apple crumble, replacing shortcrust pastry crumbs with panettone crumbs.
And you can also opt for the preparation of an excellent panettone semifreddo, a fresh dessert with a delicate taste, or you can create panettone truffles, delicious and irresistible.
Make a sweet sandwich
Have you never thought of a sandwich made with panettone? Yet, it's possible: just cut a slice of panettone in the shape you prefer and spread jams, creams, or chocolates inside, then cover with another slice. A different idea for a panettone sandwich is to create a mixture of apples, pears, and cinnamon to insert between the slices… A real treat.
Try it with savory dishes
Now we come to the most unexpected and original panettone repurposing ideas, those with savory dishes and recipes. The aromas of this sweet bread with candied fruit and/or raisins, in fact, can be surprising even when paired with savory dishes, especially in the preparation of appetizers, risottos, and soups.
It can simply be served with vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and escarole, adding a sweet and crunchy touch to dishes by becoming croutons for a pumpkin cream soup or even being the main ingredient, as in a panettone risotto.
As an appetizer, it lends itself very well to mini rolls with cream cheese and cooked ham, but also as a base for customized versions of canapés, like brioche bread, but even better.
Chiostro di Saronno panettone, the perfect base for any reinterpretation
Chiostro di Saronno panettone is an expression of tradition and quality of raw materials and can also represent a special gift thanks to the packaging that distinguishes them, with uniquely decorated tin boxes.
On our online shop, you can find different types of panettone, classic and filled, all ready to be enjoyed as you wish... Even the leftovers!
How to correctly cut a panettone
There will probably be those who think that knowing how to cut panettone correctly is not an important factor, but the truth is that serving a beautiful, homogeneous, and non-crumbling slice of panettone to a friend, colleague, or family member can be a difficult undertaking if you don't know the guidelines for achieving a good result.
With this article, we want to reveal how to cut panettone without it crumbling, serving slices of the same size and shape.We advise you to read until the end.
Check the right temperature
First of all, you need to make sure the panettone is at room temperature, ideally around 25 degrees Celsius.
If the panettone is too cold and/or damp, it will crumble very easily when cut: prevent this from happening by placing it near a radiator for a few minutes, or by putting it inside an open oven with the light on, placing it inside with its plastic wrap for the duration of the meal.
How to check if the temperature for cutting and consuming the panettone is right? After unwrapping it, take it in your hand and massage it a little: if your hands get greasy with butter, it means the temperature is perfect.
Unwrap the panettone before cutting it
Secondly, carefully remove the paper that wraps the Christmas cake, without tearing it into a thousand pieces.This paper is used for leavening, baking, and packaging, and must be removed before cutting the panettone.
The steps to cut panettone correctly
Let's now look at all the steps to serving perfect slices, keeping in mind that with a traditional panettone it will be simpler to follow these steps than with versions that have glaze, almonds, sprinkles, or toppings.
Cut the panettone in half with a well-sharpened serrated knife and check that the alveolation (the holes inside) is rich and uniform. A panettone with few holes, too small or too large, is a sign of poor quality.
Place the two halves on a smooth wooden or plastic cutting board with the round part facing you, then cut one half of the panettone perpendicularly in a decisive but not too vigorous manner, with a firm hand. Enter with the tip of the knife and go down slowly, keeping your hand on the side of the panettone and not on top.
Then proceed diagonally to obtain slices of the desired size
Chiostro di Saronno Panettoni and Pandori, your quality choice
Now that you know how to proceed to get perfectly cut panettone slices, remember that product quality always makes the difference.
Chiostro di Saronno panettoni and pandori are made following an artisan production method and with carefully selected raw materials, for a quality that is recognizable at the first taste.
Would you like to give a high-quality panettone or pandoro as a gift? Then you should choose one of our packaging in original decorated tin boxes.
You can purchase all Chiostro di Saronno products on our e-shop!
Easter dove cake glaze: ideas to make it even more delicious
Who doesn't love the sweet and tantalizing glaze over the unique and delicate flavor of colomba pasquale? The glaze is an excellent choice to make colomba more flavorful because it gives the cake an elegant and festive look, making it even more inviting. Moreover, the glaze helps preserve the freshness of this typical dessert, preventing it from drying out too quickly.
At Chiostro di Saronno, we offer the possibility of purchasing simple and traditional colombe with glaze, as well as filled and/or chocolate-covered Easter colomba. By visiting our online shop, you can choose and purchase your favorite. And once you receive it? All you have to do is follow our ideas to make it even more delicious!
Simple and tasty ideas for your Easter Colomba
If you want to make the colomba glaze even more appealing, pair it with the right foods! Colomba with vanilla ice cream, for example, is perfect thanks to the intense and creamy flavor of vanilla. However, if you are a fan of sweeter flavors, we recommend pairing it with chocolate ice cream. This combination creates a blend of soft and creamy flavors with an intense chocolate note.
If you prefer a fresher and fruitier pairing, strawberry or lemon ice cream can be an excellent choice. Their slightly acidic flavor pairs well with the sweetness of the colomba, creating a refreshing and light mix. And finally, for a more sophisticated pairing, pistachio ice cream can be an interesting choice.
Other winning combinations can include the addition of fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or pineapple, as they add freshness to the sweetness of the glaze.
Is it possible to use a chocolate glaze even if the Easter colomba is already decorated?
Absolutely yes: you can enrich the colomba with chocolate glaze even if it's already decorated with traditional glaze. Simply spread the chocolate glaze on the colomba with a spatula or spoon. Remember, however, that the chocolate glaze might cover the original decorations of the Easter colomba; therefore, you might choose to add chocolate glaze only to certain parts of the colomba or partially remove the original glaze.
Furthermore, if the Easter colomba has already been decorated with dried fruit or other decorations, you might want to consider adding similar ingredients to the chocolate glaze to create a complementary decoration. For example, you could use coconut flakes, chopped hazelnuts, or dried fruit.
Do you want to buy an Easter Colomba? Choose Chiostro di Saronno's
We offer a wide range of Easter colombe available, and each can be decorated with the suggestions just given: don't miss the chance to offer a tasty and unique Easter colomba like Chiostro di Saronno's at your table.
Surprise your friends and family with class and homemade decorations, but most importantly, with a high-quality dessert, typical of the Easter period!
Contact us to learn more or if you need support to purchase our products.
Easter dove cake: history, origins, and meaning
Colomba is a typical Italian sweet bread traditionally consumed during the Easter period and is made with flour, butter, eggs, sugar, yeast, and candied fruit, flavored with citrus zest such as lemon and orange, and decorated with sugared almonds and glaze.
The sweet bread is associated with the Easter period because it symbolizes peace and rebirth. Furthermore, its shape – which also resembles a cross – represents one of the most important symbols of Easter in Italy and has deep religious significance.
Let's discover its origins and interesting facts about this famous, distinctive, and traditional sweet bread.
The “legendary” origins of the Easter Colomba
The Easter Colomba represents one of the most famous recipes in our tradition and has a dual origin: one legendary and one historical.
According to legend, during the Lombard siege of the city of Pavia, which lasted about three years, King Alboin received a dove-shaped sweet bread as a symbol of peace from the local population just before the Easter period.
According to another traditional account, the creation of this sweet bread is attributed to Saint Columbanus, an Irish monk who founded numerous monasteries throughout Europe, including the famous one in Bobbio, Italy.
The true origin of the Easter Colomba
The invention of this distinctive sweet bread actually dates back to 1930 when advertiser Dino Villani, working for a Milanese confectionery company, thought of launching a typical Easter sweet bread on the market, but with an eye on savings; he came up with the idea of using the same machinery and the same dough as Christmas panettone, but changing the shape to that of a dove, also adding an amaretto and almond glaze.As can be imagined, this new creation met with great commercial success.
Since then, the colomba has become the ultimate symbol of the Easter period and today we can enjoy a great variety of versions of the same sweet bread; in fact, in addition to the classic one, colombe with different recipes have also been created, filled and covered with different creams than the traditional ones.
Chiostro di Saronno: for quality Easter Colomba
Within our online shop, it is possible to choose between traditional and non-traditional colombe: the Easter colomba, besides being delicious, embodies an intrinsic meaning of hope; do not miss the opportunity to purchase this very special sweet bread and contact us if you want to know more about the taste and beauty of our colombe.
Creams to accompany panettone, some delicious ideas
When you think of Christmas, your mind immediately turns to dinners and lunches rich in courses, joy, affection, and… Sweetness!And if we're talking about sweetness, Chiostro di Saronno comes into play: with this article, we want to provide you with some tips to make your Christmas panettone even more delicious, by serving it with exquisite creams.
Tips on which creams to pair with panettone
Our suggestions range from more traditional options to more original ones, so we hope they can satisfy many different tastes and palates.
Mascarpone CreamIf we say "cream to accompany panettone," a good portion of people think of it: mascarpone cream. And rightly so, because it's a traditional pairing and a simple recipe, but one that never fails.
Custard CreamA super classic of Italian pastry, custard cream is always a crowd-pleaser and makes all desserts superb, including panettone. For a more intense flavor, you can also choose its chocolate version.
Almond Custard CreamAlmond custard cream is an ideal variation for those who are gluten and lactose intolerant, but we recommend it with panettone for anyone who wants to try something new.
Chantilly CreamIf you don't particularly like custard cream and aren't keen on chocolate, you can opt for chantilly cream: delicate, simple, and sweet, it gives panettone an extra boost.
Pistachio CreamFew can resist the combination of panettone and pistachio cream: it's a traditional yet always winning choice, because most of the time it satisfies all tastes.
ZabaioneEgg yolks and sugar, a simple, old-fashioned recipe that warms many hearts. Zabaione is a cream that enhances panettone beautifully, delivering delightful sensations to the palate with the simplicity that distinguishes this spoon dessert.
Pear CreamA different idea from the usual is definitely pairing panettone with pear cream, which is delicate and sweet, capable of enhancing the panettone without overpowering it. An alternative you might not have considered, but one worth trying.
Almond Frangipane CreamIf you want to move away from more traditional creams without being too daring, you can choose almond frangipane cream, similar to custard cream but with a less velvety consistency. Just a few simple ingredients and this delicacy is ready to meet panettone!
Chocolate Ganache CreamWhen cream and chocolate meet in a ganache and combine with panettone, the "wow" effect is guaranteed! This cream is perfect for those who can't resist chocolate at Christmas.
Do you know Chiostro di Saronno panettones?
After giving you some ideas for creams to pair with panettone, we want to remind you that choosing a high-quality panettone is the most important element for truly savoring the genuine taste of this Christmas dessert.
At Chiostro di Saronno, we have many different types of panettone, both classic and filled: through our products, we bring our experience to bear by selecting raw materials with extreme care and attention and processing them according to traditional recipes.
On our online shop, you will find all our creations, including panettone, some of which are packaged in distinctive decorated tin boxes that make them even more special gifts.
Il Punto Rosso is the new concept from Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli of Saronno, in collaboration with master pastry chefs Morandin
Following the expansion of the factory, the new concept includes an Amaretti atelier, a shop, an eatery for breakfasts and lunches, a cocktail bar, and a high-end artisanal pastry laboratory dedicated to producing specialties of the highest excellence.
The "Chiostro di Saronno" is an ancient Franciscan cloister located in the center of the city of Saronno; it is the headquarters of our Company and the place where we keep our prestigious recipes, created with incredible passion to obtain products of the highest quality.
Now it adds a new chapter, the Punto Rosso.
And it is precisely within the Punto Rosso laboratory that Luca Lazzaroni, now at the helm of Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli Spa, realizes the dream passed down to him by his father Paolo: to create a unique product destined to become an excellence of Italian confectionery craftsmanship.
The History and Origins of Panettone: Between Myth and Reality.
Do you know the history of panettone? Discover all the ancient legends and facts about this timeless Christmas sweet.