Favorite Holiday Gift Basket and Panettone French Toast!

Holiday Gift Basket and Panettone French Toast

Do you have a favorite gift basket you like to put together for Christmas? This is my “go-to” gift basket for family members we see once a year and it makes a great hostess gift too~ Panettone, a sweet Italian bread, along with a bottle Italian sparkling wine, Prosecco!

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Wrap it up in a basket or tray with a pretty ribbon, add some red paper shred to nestle it in. I snipped some boxwood sprigs for a little greenery to tuck in that will stay fresh for a week or longer. Add some oranges and a bottle of syrup to enjoy with Panettone French Toast!

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If you’re not familiar with panettone, it’s an Italian bread that’s slightly sweet, made with dried fruit and candied citrus peel. You can find it at specialty food or most grocery stores in December.

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I look forward indulging in panettone every year and pick up a several boxes for gifts and to enjoy with coffee or tea during the holidays. The size and price of panettone varies. It’s available in individual serving sizes ranging from 3 oz. loaves up to 2 lb boxed loaves. I found mine at World Market for $8.99 for 1 lb 10 oz. loaf.

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The flavor and texture of panettone also makes it ideal for bread pudding or French toast.

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 Panettone French Toast makes a wonderful treat for brunch over the holidays, especially served with a Mimosa!

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Making French toast doesn’t necessarily require a recipe, you just need eggs whisked together with some milk, a little vanilla and sprinkling of cinnamon but here are some tips I think make for better French toast.

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❄ Use room temperature eggs and milk for consistent and quicker cooking. Use a ratio of one large egg to 1/3 cup milk for a custard-like French toast.  A ratio of less milk to egg makes for a more dense and firmer French toast with more egg flavor. For 3 eggs add 1 cup of milk or half and half for about 6 slices of French toast, depending on your bread.

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❄ Add a touch of vanilla and cinnamon for some additional sweetness and depth of flavor.

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❄ Soak just a few slices of bread at a time, working in batches.  Soak only as many slices of bread as will fit in your skillet in a single layer. This will keep the bread from getting too soggy while it waits to go in the pan.

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❄ Wipe out your skillet between batches and start each batch with fresh butter.

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 Panettone French Toast:

Whisk together 3 large room temperature eggs, 1 cup milk or half and half, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of salt.  Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, swirling skillet, until foaming subsides. Soak as many slices of bread in egg batter at a time as will fit in skillet, turning, until saturated. Add soaked bread to skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Transfer cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Repeat with remaining slices of bread wiping out skillet with a paper towel and adding butter as needed.
Serve French toast with dusting of powdered sugar and warm maple syrup.

You can find a dessert recipe for the holidays with a ‘wow’ factor, Panettone Trifle with Orange Curd and Raspberries, HERE.

Panettone French Toast Gift Basket

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

 Between Naps on the Porch,
StoneGableConfessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Cedar Hill Farmhouse,
Savvy Southern Style

  21 comments for “Favorite Holiday Gift Basket and Panettone French Toast!

  1. December 18, 2015 at 7:14 am

    A very welcome gift I’m sure! Merry Christmas Week Mary-enjoy:@)

  2. Ellen Stillabower
    December 18, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Looks like some friends will be having French Panettone toast for breakfast!! Thank you for sharing!!❤️☺️😍

  3. December 18, 2015 at 8:51 am

    You realize of course, that after yesterday and today’s posts, I am going to have to go buy a Panettone! I am drooling over my keyboard thinking about warm Panettone french toast with real maple syrup washed down with a bubbly mimosa! Your gift basket is so perfect for everyone Mary, I just love to assemble and give stuff like that…I think I’ll make several for some unexpected surprises next week. Thank you for the “visions of sugarplums” this morning and sharing the delightful basket idea. Hope you get lots of things checked off your list today!
    Jenna

  4. December 18, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I was at Trader Joe’s just yesterday and saw panettone, but didn’t buy one. Now I may have to run back and hope they have some left!! LOL!! The basket is such a wonderful idea, Mary, and will have to remember this idea for next year. I’m craving panettone French toast now, and I thank you for the yummy idea!
    Happy weekend! xo

  5. December 18, 2015 at 9:03 am

    What a lovely gift idea…you’ve convinced me to go buy at least on Panettone this season. Even if I just save it for the next batch of overnight company, so I can make your French toast with it!
    I’m thinking out loud & wondering how it might taste using the French Vanilla CoffeeMate? Sweet + Vanilla…all you’d need to add would be the cinnamon, I think I’ll try it…I have had TONS of CoffeeMate lately after making 45 snowmen from the empty creamers to use as centerpieces at quilt guild.
    You always do such a lovely job of presentation…it is truly your forte’, Mary!!!!!!!!!!! (along with photography)

  6. Sue
    December 18, 2015 at 10:17 am

    I am SO glad I am not the only one who loves this decadent french toast!! Now we can officially open a support group . :)
    Thanks for the recipe with the proportions of milk/egg…I have just been winging it and much prefer the exact proportions. THANKS!!

    • December 18, 2015 at 11:09 am

      I never thought of using Panettone for french toast. I just bought Panettone at Marshall`s , so I`m going to make it! Is anyone having a problem with your blog page? At the bottom where is says “Follow”, the line is jumping up & down.Irritating to say the least!

      • December 18, 2015 at 11:16 am

        Hi Lynn, I just visited my blog from a google search and it’s not happening for me. Maybe it’s your browser? I use Chrome, try refreshing the page.

      • Kathy G
        December 26, 2015 at 2:16 am

        I am having the same issue with the line bottom of page, I did refresh but did not help. When I re-enter, I will follow your advice and use chrome. Beautiful post, orange and cranberry are so beautiful together. They compliment each other in flavor. Love how you used on plate and in choice of drink, Those glasses are beautiful where can they be purchased or do you know the descriptive name. Thank you for another mesmerizing, and helpful post. Love the red shaved paper in beautiful basket with a touch of botanicals

  7. December 18, 2015 at 11:15 am

    This is one of the best ideas I’ve seen for a hostess gift. This is great! I bet the panettone French toast is fantastic!

  8. December 18, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    What a great gift idea! I’ve recently discovered your blog and am a huge fan–I’ve recommended it to several friends already since Thanksgiving! Your decorating ideas are lovely, unique but easily tailored to fit individual tastes/existing decor, and not “over the top” which I truly appreciate. Thanks for all your great ideas and photos!

  9. December 18, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    This is a wonderful hostess gift and how timely of you to share because I need a hostess gift for a party tomorrow night! You have also reminded me that we have not had French Toast for a very long time ~ so it will happen this coming Sunday morning! I also love your tagline ~ Potting, Puttering and Pontooning. Just perfect. Have a great weekend.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  10. Carmen Rusca
    December 18, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Sent from the Empress’ iPad

    >

  11. December 18, 2015 at 11:45 pm

    Mary, you just solved one of my gift decisions. This will be perfect for a friend who is having her children and grandchildren here for the holidays. Love this idea. I’m headed to World Market tomorrow. Thank you!

  12. Gabi
    December 19, 2015 at 2:58 am

    E o incintare pentru mine sa va citesc postarile.

  13. December 19, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Thank you Mary.

  14. December 22, 2015 at 12:12 am

    Never thought of using Panettone for French Toast….Looks wonderful and a great basket idea!!

  15. December 22, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    This is such a great idea and pretty too. I would love it. Will remember this for sure. Thanks, Mary. Have a great Christmas.

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