If we get too much of it to toast for breakfast or top with ice cream for dessert, we make other favorites, such as Panettone French toast, Panettone grilled cheese, and panettone PB&J sandwiches.

And then, there’s Panettone stuffing or dressing*. While stuffing is most commonly prepared with days-old white bread, you can use panettone to give your stuffing a sweet edge.

This recipe is courtesy Bauli Panettone.

Here’s a tip: While Bauli Panettone can be ubiquitous in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is quickly marked down. Buy some and freeze it to enjoy this and other Panettone recipes during the year (below).

> The history of Panettone.
 
 
RECIPE: PANETTONE STUFFING

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F. Cut the panettone into 3/4-inch squares and place in a large bowl. Melt half of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and continue to cook until light brown, about 5 minutes.

2. REMOVE from the heat and add half the sage. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the sage butter over the bread and toss gently but swiftly. Spread out on 2 cooking sheets and place in the oven until light brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and place back into the bowl. Meanwhile…

3. PLACE the dried fruit in a large bowl; add boiling water to cover and then set aside for at least 10 minutes. This will plump and soften the fruit for cooking. Drain the fruit once it is plumped.

4. RAISE the oven temperature to 375°F. Melt the remaining butter and add the onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté on medium-low heat until soft. Add dried fruit and remaining sage. Toss into cooled croutons. Gently toss and add chicken broth to moisten; add more broth if you like a softer stuffing. Stir in beaten eggs now, if using. Adjust salt and pepper, to your liking. Turn out into an oven-proof casserole.

5. BAKE uncovered until golden brown on top, about 40 minutes.
 
 
MORE PANETTONE RECIPES

[1] Cut a loaf of panettone into cubes to make the stuffing (photo #1 and #4 © Bauli).

[2] Fresh sage adds so much better flavor than the dried version (photo © Good Eggs).

[3] Dried apricots deliver bursts of sweetness (photo © Olha Afanasieva | iStock Photo).

[4] Bauli Panettone can be found in most supermarkets during the holiday season.

*The difference: stuffing is cooked inside the bird and dressing is cooked in a separate dish, not in the bird.