Panettone: It’s Even Better After Christmas

Panettone has graced your Christmas table for as long as you can remember — or perhaps it’s a new tradition, brought into the family by a spouse or at the whim of trying something different this year. However you’ve come to enjoy this lightly sweetened yeast bread, rich with butter and eggs and packed with dried fruits and candied citrus, it’s quickly become a staple.

The beautifully packaged breads also make popular gifts for friends and coworkers, and chances are, you’ve wound up with a loaf (or three) leftover. You’re not above slicing and eating it plain, but now you’re starting to wonder what else you can do with them.

Here are five ideas that will let you use up that leftover Panettone:

Toast

Toast — really?! That’s the best you can come up with?

Well, no. It’s certainly not the best thing you can do with that leftover panettone (We’re getting to that.), but trust me when I say panettone makes the best toast that serves as the best addition to any breakfast. The buttery goodness already ever present in this delectable bread are only enhanced by toasting, as it is the sweetness from the dried fruit. Adorn toasted slices with a generous pad of butter, and serve to complement your eggs.

Panettone French Toast

It’s toast, kicked up a notch. French toast of any kind is the perfect way to use up any bread leftover from the Christmas meal, but panettone especially makes an excellent base for an indulgent plate of French toast. (Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for an extra layer of complimentary flavor.)

Eggnog Bread Pudding

You have the leftover panettone. You have tons of leftover eggnog. Why not combine the two? This decadent dessert is easy to make, and is a great way to indulge one last time before it’s time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions.

Streusel-Topped Baked French Toast

There’s French toast, and then there’s this concoction that’s kind of the best hybrid of French toast, bread pudding, and coffee cake all. It’s rich and custardy, topped with a sweet, buttery streusel before baking, and perfect for that big family after-Christmas brunch.

Rum Cake

Need I say more?

With leftover Panettone, one thing is for sure:

Your Christmas was merry, and your belly full.