Holiday Gift Giving Guide– Bauducco Panettone (Review and Giveaway)

 Closed.  And, the winner is:  Donna

Enjoyed for centuries as a holiday staple in Italy, panettone – a moist, sweet specialty cake - has only recently become widely available in the United States. Made in the authentic Italian fashion, Bauducco Panettone incorporates the highest quality ingredients like Sun-Maid raisins and – in a new take on tradition – Hershey's chocolate chips. Kids love the panettone with chocolate chips! Bauducco Panettone makes it easy to entertain guests during the holidays without breaking the budget. While it is delicious on its own, it can also be a star ingredient in many recipes including French toast and bread pudding. It even tastes great topped with Mascarpone and paired with a glass or Port or Proseco. In addition to being served by friends and family throughout the holiday season, panettone is also typically given as a hostess gift in many countries, in lieu of flowers or wine.

My Thoughts:

I was sent 2 Bauducco Panettone cakes to sample – their Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Panettone and the Sun Dried Candied Fruit and Raisins Panettone.  It was hard to choose as favorite, as both were so moist and delicious, and offered different flavor profiles. I served up both over Thanksgiving, and found that the younger children loved the chocolate chip one best.  They kept asking for seconds.  I had turned this cake into a triffle for the kids, with fresh fruits and layers of homemade whipped cream.  What a hit this quick and easy dessert was.  As for the Sun Dried Candied Fruit and Raisins bread, I left a few plain pieces for the children, but then turned the rest into an adult bread pudding with rum.  Boy, was this a hit with the adults.  Most had seen panettones in the store, but had never tasted it.  So, by offering it as a bread slice and then incorporated into a dessert (triffle or bread pudding), they were impressed and excited to buy one and try it for themselves, with their favorite recipes.
With the holidays coming up, the Bauducco Panettones would make for a great hostess gift or gift to give the in-laws or foodie on your list.  Or, why not pick up one or two to have on hand, and serve your guests at the holiday dinner.  You can serve it as is, or try it with a favorite recipe, or with some of these recipes from the Bauducco Panettone website. I especially loved their bread pudding and french toast recipes.  Over the past few weekends, I have made each for a Saturday morning breakfast dish, and there are never any leftovers.  Since I was sent samples, I have bought 4 additional cakes, as they are great to experiment with in the kitchen, as well as spread Nutella on for a quick treat.  I can’t wait until Christmas, as I have a few new recipes I will be using the Bauducco Panettone cakes with.

---BUY NOW---

Bauducco Panettone can be found on store shelves nationwide for a reasonable amount- $4.99 for a 17.5 oz. package or $6.99 for a 23 oz. package.

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win a Bauducco Panettone cake of their own.  To enter, please complete the MANDATORY ENTRY first, and then as many EXTRA ENTRIES as you like.
Make sure to include your email address with each comment, so that I can contact you if you win.
MANDATORY ENTRY:  What is your favorite holiday dessert you like to serve your family.
EXTRA ENTRIES:
(Please leave separate entries for each, along with your email address)
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4) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/. (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 3 Entries)
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6) Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet, per day; please include link to tweet in comment below)
Enter to #win a Bauducco Panettone cake for the holidays @rmccoy1234 http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway (Ends 12/28)
7) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog -- One entry per vote, per day; Note:  You can only your one vote per day on ONE giveaway; duplicate comments on other giveaways on the same day with be void)
8) Add to a Giveaway Linky site  (5 entries)
Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends on Dec. 28, 2011 at 11:59PM EST. I will then use Random.org to choose a winner. Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond to my email to claim prize. If I don't hear back from selected winner, I will draw another winner.
Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.