Step 1

First of all, prepare a syrup by dissolving sugar and egg yolks in the water at 30°C (86°F), using an immersion blender.

Step 2

Pour the syrup into the mixer bowl and add the sourdough after the second or third refreshment.

Step 3

Knead for about 2minutes, so you can dissolve the Sourdough before adding the flour.

Step 4

Add the flour and let the dough form a glutinous mesh which must be elastic and extensible. This step is crucial for the success of the Panettone recipe.

Step 5

Check the proper formation of the glutinous mesh, taking a piece of dough and spreading it with your hands until it forms a thin layer of dough.

Step 6

Once the dough is amalgamated and elastic, add the second dose of egg yolks, allowing them to be correctly absorbed. Finally, add the water (quantity according to the recipe.

Step 7

When the dough is fully developed, add the soft butter at room temperature in several batches, allowing it to be thoroughly absorbed into the dough.

Step 8

The first dough is ready. Transfer it into a large container, sprinkle the surface with some small pieces of soft butter, and let it rise at 22-24°C (71°F - 75°F) for 15h until it has tripled its volume. Fermentation time depends on room temperature; therefore, before proceeding with the next dough, make sure the dough has tripled its initial volume. To better visualize the development of the dough, I suggest creating a "graduated scale" on the container, marking the starting volume and the desired volume at the end of fermentation.

Step 9

Pour the first dough now-fermented into the bowl of the stand mixer.

Step 10

Knead the first dough together with the flour very well until forming a strong and elastic gluten mesh

Step 11

Add the egg yolks and knead until they are completely absorbed.

Step 12

Then add the sugar, honey, and candied orange paste (or the aromatic mix you have prepared) and allow to knead until the dough detaches from the mixer bowl.

Step 13

Mix without whipping the butter, clarified liquid butter, salt, and vanilla. Then add the mixture to the dough, a little at a time, allowing it to be well absorbed between each addition.

Step 14

Once the dough is well combined, add the raisins and candied fruit and turn the mixer for about 1-2min on low speed.

Step 15

Let the dough rise for about 1 hour to relax the gluten and complete the hydration of the proteins.

Step 16

For 1kg Panettone, divide 1100gr portions of dough and let rest on the table for 5minutes.

Step 17

Roll up the dough to stretch the gluten and form tight loaves. Place in paper molds (1kg) and let them proof at 26-28°C (79°F - 82°F) for 5-6 hours.

Step 18

The real Milanese Panettone is finished with the "scarpatura".For this, you score a cross on the Panettone surface, lifting the 4 edges. You place a cube of soft butter in the center and finally close the edges towards the center. This particular operation favors the growth of the panettone. It creates a larger toasted surface during baking with the consequent development of a more complex and pleasing aromatic system.

Step 19

Bake in a static oven at 150°C (302°F) for about 45-50min.

Step 20

To test cooking, check that the temperature at the heart of the product is between 92°C and 94°C (197°F - 205°F).

Step 21

Remove the panettone from the oven, pierce them with the appropriate metal skewers and turn them upside down for at least 2-3 hours.

Step 22

Let the Panettone cool completely before packing it in food-grade bags. I also recommend waiting a couple of days before tasting your Panettone to allow the aroma to spread into the cake.