These delicious Panettone Muffins remind me of my grandmother. She was always having a big red box of Panettone at Christmastime.

Panettone muffins, one split open with butter, served with a floral cup of tea.

When I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother always having a big red box of Panettone at Christmastime. She loved this rich Italian bread and I am pretty sure that she discovered it on a trip to Italy. I remember when Panettone was something that you had to special order; now you can get it in most grocery stores during the holiday season.

Ingredients for Panettone Muffins: milk, sugar, flour, eggs, butter, rum, and dried fruit.

I really want to try my hand at making my own Panettone, but it just did not happen this holiday season. It is not difficult to make, but it takes a lot of time. But what I did do was make a muffin version that has all of the same flavors and bite as the traditional bread without the fuss of making a yeasted bread. I think that my Nonnie would approve.

Panettone muffins with dried fruit and butter, served with tea.

Panettone Muffins (Perfect for Christmas Breakfast)

Bree Hester

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 18

Soaking Time 8

Total Time 8 43

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings

Calories 237 kcal

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups diced dried fruit
1/4 cup Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Fiori di Sicilia to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups King Arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
2/3 cup milk
2 generous tablespoons coarse white sparkling sugar for topping

Instructions

In a small bowl, soak fruit with rum. Let stand overnight. If you are in a hurry, put it in the microwave until hot, then let cool and use.
Cream together butter, oil, and sugar.
Add eggs, Fiori di Sicilia, and vanilla.
In another bowl, whisk together baking powder, salt, and flour.
Stir in one third of the flour mixture, add half of the milk.
Repeat, making sure to begin and end with flour.
Add the dried fruit and gently fold into the batter.
Divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin lined with paper liners, or you can use these pretty panettone wrappers. Next time, I would just make 6 instead of trying to stretch it to 9. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 18 to 25 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on what you bake them in.
My favorite way to eat them? Warm with butter.