Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake) Recipe

Monday, December 2, 2019
Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake) Recipe is a delicious traditional Italian-inspired family recipe.


Grandma from Rome, Italy made this recipe every year.


A yeast egg cake as they refer to it, I think it's a cross between rich egg bread and a kind of cake.


This is very traditional among the Venetians and Italians.


It's a tall cake you can buy a mold for or use an extra-large coffee can to make it.


After it cooled it's covered in a sifted powdered sugar or a thick frosting depending on the Region in Italy.


They are sold commercially almost everywhere, especially around the holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Befana.


Not to be confused with Panettone which is a rich egg bread with raisins and we always make this recipe too along with Amaretto Panettone, Panettone French Toast, and Panettone Strata.


Scroll down to the recipe card to print off the recipe.




Pandoro is a golden cake made at christmas in Italy dusted with powdered sugar on a plate under the Christmas Tree with poinsettia on the plate








this is an Italian traditional cake made in Italy around the Christmas holiday called Pandoro


The larger side should be down.



If you happen to order a Pandoro pan online, the star shape should be down.


They were covered in a snow of powdered sugar.


The cake is the perfect wintery-looking cake for the holiday with the snowy powdered sugar on top.


One of my favorites rose cakes at Christmas time.


This year my son ordered me a pan instead of me using my traditional metal coffee cans.


I love the way this baked it's so festive and looked so professional! It was such a fun day as we got to take my grandson to see Santa too.


See more photos below. I bought him a Santa suit and he looked so adorable you don't want to miss his photos.


this is Pandoro made in a Pandoro pan to look like a star and baked on a plate cooling with powdered sugar on top


Made in the coffee can



Before I got the original baking pan, I used an extra-large coffee can, lined it with parchment paper and baked it.


I also doused it with a lot of oil cooking spray to make sure it didn't stick.


It always came out perfectly but you can order the Pandoro Pan online below.


This is an Affiliate link and I do make a small commission see Disclosure Policy here






Covered to keep warm



I usually top my bowl with a saucepan cover to keep the drafts away.


Then it sets on top of a warm stove or area to rise.




The dough is ready to rise



Keeping a dish towel over the covered pan is a double way to keep the warmth inside.


These tips work to evenly raise the dough to a light cake texture.


The dough is a little sticky and that's the way it should be.


It is a smooth yet elastic dough.


this is Pandoro made in a coffee can to look like a star and baked on a plate cooling with powdered sugar on top


The Story of Pandoro



Pandoro or pan d’oro means golden bread.


It is a traditional Christmas bread from Verona. Pandoro gets its name due to it's golden yellow in color.


The yellow or golden color comes from a large number of egg yolks that are in the bread.


These are mini taco pans to make this Italian Pandoro golden cake in. They are lined with parchment paper for easy release and worked perfectly.


Molds to Use or Pans



Pandoro is baked in a special star-shaped molded pan that you can find on my affiliate link in the shop with me tab above.


If you don't have the pan use a metal extra large coffee can, which makes it easy for slicing and warmed up to spread butter on.


To make mini ones, I used mini taco pans that worked perfectly!


Unlike panettone, pandoro does not contain any dried fruits or nuts. When sprinkled with powdered sugar, it has the appearance of newly fallen snow on a mountain.


Pandoro may be served with many types of creams or sauces, such as mascarpone topping, melted chocolate, or any flavored whipped cream.


this is Pandoro made in a coffee can to look like a star and baked on a plate cooling with powdered sugar on top


A Delicious Tradition



This cake is light and delicious and we make Pandoro every year.


The traditions during the Christmas Holiday in an Italian family are instilled while growing up.


I always hope the kids grow up to do the same and have been lucky that my two sons are great cooks and bakers.


We will continue to bake Pandoro every Christmas and enjoy this tender delicious cake.


this is Pandoro made in a coffee can to look like a star and baked on a plate cooling with powdered sugar on top





Optional Ways to serve Pandoro



When the loaf is cool,  we like to dust with powdered sugar or make the frosting with powdered sugar and water ( I like lemon so I use the lemon extract in mine). Drizzle all over the Pandoro.


If you like it plain, it is also great topped with fresh fruits and whipped cream.


You can serve Pandoro any way you like.




Ingredients You Will Need to Make Christmas Pandoro Golden Cake


  • lukewarm water
  • dry yeast
  • sea salt
  • egg yolks plus 1 egg
  • zest of fresh lemon or oranges
  • honey
  • flour
  • melted butter




Tools Needed To Make Pandoro


  • parchment paper
  • 1 extra-large metal coffee can or 2 small coffee cans or Pandoro Pan
  • measuring cups
  • bowls
  • measuring spoons
  • heavy duty mixer












More Holiday Inspired Recipes:




Easter Recipes

Game Day Recipes

Best Holiday Side Dishes

Red White and Blue Recipes

Halloween Roundup

Thanksgiving Recipes

Christmas Recipes


Italian Christmas Eve Recipes




Christmas Pandoro Pin for later











Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake)

Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake)

Yield: 2
Author:
prep time: 20 Mcook time: 35 Mtotal time: 55 M
This is called Pandoro. It is a recipe for a yeast-risen cake made traditionally every Christmas in Italy. A very old recipe of Golden Cake and a tradition every year in our Italian home.

ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 package dry yeast
  • 3/4 tablespoon sea salt
  • 4 egg yolks plus 1 egg
  • 1 zest of fresh lemon or oranges
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • parchment paper
  • 1 extra-large metal coffee can or 2 small coffee cans or Pandoro Pan
  • Optional Frosting
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Optional:1/2 teaspoon lemon extract or just dust with powdered sugar
  • other suggestions: whipped cream, chocolate or strawberry sauces on top
  • You can also just slice heat and spread some butter on it.

instructions:

How to cook Christmas Pandoro (Golden Cake)

  1. Cut parchment paper pan to fit pan if using or grease the Pandoro pan heavily.
  2. Make a starter by adding water and yeast let sit for around 10 minutes. Add honey, butter, salt, zest, and egg yolks. Using an electric heavy-duty mixer, blend together adding flour. Mix until well blended around 5 minutes.
  3. Let sit in a warm spot until doubled in size. Punch down. Line the coffee can with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray any areas not covered by paper.
  4. Place the dough into the can and let rise again.
  5. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Brush top with the last egg that has been beaten. Bake 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool loaf 10 minutes and unmold.
Calories
110
Fat (grams)
9
Sat. Fat (grams)
3
Carbs (grams)
11
Net carbs
7
Sugar (grams)
17
pandoro, christmas cake, Italian golden cake, italian pandoro
cake, yeast cakes, Italian cakes, holiday, Christmas, molded cakes
Italian
Created using The Recipes Generator







Christmas Pandoro Pin for later



this is Pandoro made in a coffee can to look like a star and baked on a plate cooling with powdered sugar on top





More Christmas Italian Traditional Recipes:




Italian Wedding Tray Frosted Soft Cookies
Italian Almond Paste Cafe Style Cookies
Italian Orange Biscotti Cookies
Ricotta Cookies










Christmas is Magical with Grandpa Poppy



Antonio is little yet, but he already sees us continuing on with traditional recipes in the family.


Soon enough he will be able to help us. he is 22 months old here.






Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2019.

33 comments

  1. What an awesome cake! I just want to squish it!!

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  2. This cake looks awesome, but I think it should be called Candoro. :-)

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  3. I'm pinning this and hope to try it soon. I've used pandoro to make French toast, but have never made it. Yours looks perfect.

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  4. Wow..how creative! i would never thought of that, but it looks so delicious, unique and pretty! Have a very Happy Holiday season!!!!xo

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  5. A really pretty pandoro!
    Happy Holiday Season!

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  6. I've never been in Italy but I see Italian recipes really great. Such a beautiful Christmas recipe and I think that is very tasty. Thank you!

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  7. Oh God, I fell in love with this cake! This is really a brilliant Italian recipe. Christmas should be unique with this cake. I would gladly try this recipe.

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  8. I have not tried something like this before and it is so pretty! I love the height and looks like a delicious cake!

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  9. I live in another country. Many of us are coming together for a quasi-traditional meal with deserts from our own respective countries. I only wish there was someone Venetian or Italian in our group to make this! I am making flan, but seriously thinking about trying this beautiful treat!

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  10. I've made Pandoro for many years. I have two pans that I use just for this delicious Christmas dessert. It's a beautiful dessert at Christmas. One of the first things I unpacked in our new home are the pans. You did a great job on the cake/bread.

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    Replies
    1. Oh Marisa! Is your recipe on your blog? I would love to try your family version! It a tradition every year here too! XO

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  11. Cake looks absolutely delicious!! This is new to me, I haven’t tried something like this. Saving it to try soon

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  12. That's an interesting bread. I love baking bread and this really has my attention. Love the height too. Looks pretty simple to make.

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  13. Dear Claudia, what a beautiful cake for the holidays! I would love to try this..it looks wonderful dear! XO

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  14. This cake look awesome! I am very much interested in trying it. Look very delicious.

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  15. I love pandoro! Must finally try and make it this season!

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  16. this looks delicious! and brilliant to use a coffee can!

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  17. This looks really amazing. I've been seeing these kind of cakes for years and thought about making one this year, I'll have to use this recipe.

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  18. I haven't had Pandoro in a long time. We used to have it around Christmas all the time when I was growing up. I'm glad I found your delicious recipe!

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  19. I've never heard about Pandoro before, but it sounds delicious and I think it would be a great addition to Christmas dessert menu.

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  20. This is a beautiful Christmas Cake a wonderful recipe with tutorial! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,461!
    Miz Helen

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  21. We make something similar in Latin America for Christmas- but I've never actually tried to bake it. This looks delicious- thank you for sharing!

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  22. It's so impressive! I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

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  23. My mother in law makes this but she has the recipe in her head and it changes so I am so happy you shared so I can make one of my own!

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  24. Yum! I've always wanted to make one of these. The citrus flavor was outstanding.

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  25. I've never heard of pandoro before. This is such a great treat for Christmas time. Your instructions are so clear and easy to follow, thank you.

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  26. This is soo cool! Can't wait for an empty coffee can to make this with your strawberry sauce suggestion! Delish!

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia