We were sent one of these delicious cakes as a gift a few years back, and everyone raved about its heavenly aroma and soft, buttery texture. As usual, when a good thing comes our way, we just cannot pass it up. In Castel del Piano, on Mount Amiata, down Corso Nasini, just next to the small church of San Giuseppe, Solidea and Corrado Corsini settled in 1921, purchasing the town's historic bakery where they began baking traditional Tuscan bread and sweets in the wood fired oven. The recipes that create the wonderful aromas and flavors for their cakes and cookies have remained the same over the years, living proof of their quality and desirability. Today these goodies travel across Italy and Europe, bringing with them the original passion transmitted to Ubaldo Corsini and later to his own children, Corrado Jr., Andrea, and Gianluca, who continue perpetuating the tradition. Corsini's secret is simple: the same, classic recipes, baking according to tradition and always first-quality ingredients. This traditional dome-shaped Christmas cake with raisins and candied fruit is an Italian favorite. Once the natural yeast starter is prepared, a two stage kneading process takes place. The first begins at 6 PM. After an eight hour pause during the night, the second phase begins, when all the ingredients are mixed. Once the second phase begins, the dough is broken into pieces by hand, and the candied fruit and raisins are then added. The dough is then placed into a Pyrex container and allowed to proof for 6 hours. The top is then slashed in the traditional manner, and it is baked in ovens that are calibrated to provide constant and even heating. The panettone are then naturally cooled and packaged. We were sent one of these delicious cakes as a gift last year, and everyone raved about its heavenly aroma and soft, buttery texture. As usual, when a good thing comes our way, we just cannot pass it up.

Traditional Panettone like no other.

Continues to be a favorite year after year.

Sweet, light and moist -- you cannot go wrong.

Made with raisins and candied fruits prepared the old fashioned way.

Perfect for French Toast or bread pudding! Yum!