Panettone, also known as Christmas bread, is a sweet Italian treat that always shows up around holiday season. It takes some time to bake it at home but it is totally worth it and can be the perfect plan to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family.

Preparation time: 3 hours
Yields: 6 mini panettones

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup of warm water
• 6 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ cup of butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups of chocolate chips
• 4 tsp of dry yeast
• 1 tsp of salt

Method:

1. Take the dry yeast and dissolve it into the warm water.
2. Take a medium bowl and combine the yeast mixture and 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour. Stir well with a whisker and cover it with a towel. Set aside for one hour to let it grow.
3. In a separate bowl and using preferably an electric mixer, cream the butter, sugar and salt together until fluffy.
4. Incorporate the eggs and egg yolk to the mixture; keep mixing.
5. Now, beat in the dry yeast mixture.
6. Add 4 cups of flour and mix in medium speed until you get a smooth dough.
7. In a floured flat surface knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining flour, one tbsp. at a time.
8. Finally add the chocolate chips and knead for an extra minute for the chips to spread all over the dough.
9. Place the dough in a clean bowl and cover it with a warm towel. Let it rise until doubled in size. About one hour.
10. Divide the dough into 6 pieces and place them in some individual panettone liners or any other extra large muffin cup. Let them rise in a warm place for at least 30 minutes more.
11. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
12. Bake them for 25 minutes or until golden on top.
13. Enjoy your homemade panettones full of chocolate!