Panettone to Pangiallo: Your Guide to 6 Iconic Italian Christmas Breads

Italian Christmas breads like panettone, pandoro, and panforte are iconic holiday treats rich in festive tradition. Their names –  which all include the word “pane” or “pan,” would make you think you think they’re all breads.

But guess again! These tasty Christmas treats aren’t all really breads. You might be wondering how these breads differ. Keep reading to learn their origins, how they’re made, and what makes them unique.

Check out the local market to pick up one of these traditional Italian Christmas breads. Photo credit: Gabriella Clare Marino

Must-Try Italian Christmas bread

Pandoro: The Golden Star of Italian Christmas

This sweet Christmas bread from Verona is star-shaped and dusted with powdered sugar (some say to make it look like the nearby mountains).

The name pan d’oro means “bread of gold,” and since white bread cost a lot in the Middle Ages and was consumed only by the wealthy, that’s exactly what this would have seemed like to the Veronese families who pinched pennies to enjoy this treat once a year. Today, you’ll sometimes see a hole cut in pandoro and filled with chantilly cream or gelato.

The dusted vanilla-scented icing is said to resemble the snowy peaks of the Italian Alps during winter. Photo credit: N i c o l a

Pandolce: Genoa’s Favorite Christmas Bread

Meaning “sweet bread,” pandolce is the variety from Genova. Legend has it that the famed 16th-century Doge of Genova, Andrea Doria, invited Genovese chefs to submit recipes for a food that would represent the Republic’s wealth, as well as be nutritious, durable and suitable for long sea voyages—and so pandolce was born.

It’s dense, crumbly, and filled with spices and candied fruits. According to tradition, a part of the pandolce should be set aside for the poor, while another should be kept for the feast day of St. Blaise on February 3rd.

Which Italian Christmas bread is your favorite? Photo credit: Yulia Khlebnikova

Panforte: Siena’s Spiced Christmas Treat

Despite the name, this isn’t really a bread at all. Instead, it’s a chewy, dense fruitcake from Siena, heavily flavored with honey, cloves, coriander, cinnamon and white pepper.

Thanks to its durability, Crusaders carried panforte with them on their quests. Records showing that cakes of panforte even were paid to Sienese monastery as a kind of tithe in 1205.

Enjoy your panforte with an espresso. Photo credit: jules

Panpepato: The Peppery Bread of Italian Christmas

Not really a bread, either, panpepato (“spiced bread”) is a heavy gingerbread cake spiced with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, nuts, dark chocolate, and candied fruit. It dates back to 15th century Ferrara, although some say its origins are Tuscan, and the cake’s shape is supposed to look like a clergyman’s cap.

In 1465, the first reference to panpepato showed up in writing in no less than a record book for the noble house of d’Esta, saying that the Duke gave his butler a gold ducat, telling him to put it inside the panpepato being served to the guests.

Did you know that panpepato is a type of panforte? Photo credit: Luca Sbardella

Panettone: Italy’s Iconic Christmas Cake

Hailing from Milan, panettone is a sweet, dome-shaped bread loaf studded with raisins and candied citrus peels. Interestingly, the dough takes several days to make: like sourdough, it has to be cured. Serve it up with either a hot beverage or a sweet wine like Moscato d’Asti.

Insider’s Tip: Explore more about Italian Christmas traditions.

Take a slice out of this panettone. Photo credit: N i c o l a

Pangiallo: Rome’s Golden Christmas Bread

From Rome and the Lazio region, pangiallo, a golden yellow (giallo) bread filled with nuts, raisins, spices, and candied fruit (including lime peels), has ancient origins. Pagan Romans baked up pangiallo’s predecessor during the winter solstice as offerings to facilitate the sun’s return.

The nuts, though, are a recent addition; previously, Romans used dried plum and apricot kernels instead, since nuts were simply too expensive.

Pangiallo is a Roman Christmas bread made with dried fruits, nuts, and honey, traditionally baked with a golden yellow crust. Photo credit: Brett Jordan

Italian Christmas bread FAQ

Which Italian Christmas bread is the oldest?

Panforte, a spiced fruitcake from Siena, dates back to the Middle Ages!

What does panettone symbolize?

Panettone represents celebration and abundance, symbolizing prosperity and joy.

How should I serve Italian Christmas bread?

• Panettone: Pair with mascarpone cream or dessert wine.
• Pandoro: Warm and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• Panforte: Serve with espresso or Vin Santo.

Coffee with Italian Christmas bread? Don’t mind if we do!

Can you make Italian Christmas bread at home?

Yes, especially simpler options like panforte or pangiallo. We recommend only enthusiastic bakers tackle panettone and pandoro, which require more time and skill!

What is the difference between Pandoro and Panettone?

• Pandoro: Buttery, golden loaf with a light, fluffy texture, often dusted with powdered sugar.
• Panettone: Dome-shaped bread enriched with dried fruits and citrus peel, offering a denser yet airy texture.

Where can I buy authentic Italian Christmas bread?

Almost every Italian supermarket will have Christmas breads like panettone around the holidays. They’re beautifully packaged and represent tradition and festivity. However, we recommend seeking out specialty Italian bakeries and gourmet food stores for the best of the best! Alternatively, you can also purchase these Christmas sweets from online shops like Bauli or Loison.

What are other Christmas foods eaten around this time?

We’re glad you asked! In addition to sweet treats like panettone, you can find other tasty bites like seafood, pasta, and meat dishes. Our friends at Devour Tours have a full guide to Italian Christmas foods.

Update Notice: This post was updated on December 22, 2024.