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The dessert, Mediterranean

Grilled panettone with mascarpone cream

Grilled panettone with mascarpone cream is a dessert for 6 that turns leftover holiday panettone into butter fried slices, served with a vanilla mascarpone cream and a berry compote. It takes 20 minutes of active work, the cream and compote come together in the morning, and only the panettone is cooked at the last minute. Very easy, about €2.40 per person, the key is frying the panettone over medium heat so the candied fruit caramelizes without burning.

You've got leftover holiday panettone, I'm pan frying it in butter and serving it with a soft mascarpone cream and berries.

Grilled panettone with mascarpone cream
For
6 people
Work
20 min
Total time
30 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

This dessert gives leftover holiday panettone a second life, the kind that's still sitting on the table in January. Pan fried in butter, it turns into something completely different, the sugar in the candied fruit caramelizes on the surface while the inside stays soft. The vanilla mascarpone cream brings a cold contrast, and the berry compote adds just enough tartness so it never feels too rich.

A perfect dessert for a winter family meal, a holiday brunch, or a dinner with friends where everyone still has panettone sitting in their pantry. Kids love the warm, creamy version, and you can double the quantities without any trouble if the table is bigger. A simple menu before it is all you need, this dessert does the work.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps, 10 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 4 min

In the morning, make the mascarpone cream and the berry compote, then chill both. Right before your guests arrive, cut the panettone into thick slices and take the cream out of the fridge so it softens slightly. At serving time, fry the slices in butter and plate them right away with the cream and compote.

The ingredients

6 people

Bakery

  • Panettone 600 g

Dairy

  • Mascarpone 250 g
  • Heavy cream 20 cl
  • Butter 40 g

Pantry

  • Powdered sugaroften in the pantry 40 g
  • Vanilla extractoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Granulated sugaroften in the pantry 40 g

Frozen foods

  • Frozen mixed berries 300 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Whisk the mascarpone with the cold cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until the mixture is light and airy, then chill it.

    Take the mascarpone out of the fridge five minutes ahead so it smooths out without lumps, but don't wait longer than that or the cream will split.

  2. Heat the berries with the sugar in a saucepan until you get a light compote, then let it cool. 10 min

    Keep a few raw berries aside to decorate, they add a nice fresh bite.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Cut the panettone into thick two centimeter slices and take the cream out of the fridge.

    Use a bread knife, panettone is soft and crushes easily under a smooth blade.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Brown the slices in foaming butter for two minutes on each side. 4 min

    Keep the heat at medium, any higher and the sugar will burn before the butter browns the cake.

  2. Plate the warm slices with a generous spoon of mascarpone cream and the berry compote.

    Serve right away, the contrast between the warm panettone and the cold cream is the whole point.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a classic panettone with candied fruit rather than chocolate chips, the fruit sugars caramelize better in the pan.
  • Fry the slices right before serving, not earlier, grilled panettone loses its crisp edge within minutes.
  • If you're feeding a crowd, fry the slices in small batches in a wide pan instead of crowding them, they brown better when they lie flat.

The variations

  • Swap the frozen berries for a pear compote or orange segments for a more wintery version.
  • For a quicker version, serve the panettone simply toasted without the butter step, alongside the ready made mascarpone cream.
  • For kids, melt a few chocolate chips over the warm slices instead of the compote.

What to serve it with

  • A strong Italian coffee to finish
  • A sweet wine like a muscat
  • A citrus salad before the dessert

Storage

The mascarpone cream and the compote keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in separate sealed containers. Grilled panettone doesn't keep, it's meant to be cooked and eaten right away. Nothing in this dessert freezes well once assembled.

Questions about this recipe

Can you replace the mascarpone with sour cream or crème fraîche?

You can, but the texture will be less firm and less rounded on the palate. If you go that route, use thick crème fraîche and whip it very cold so it holds together a bit better.

Does the panettone need to be fresh, or can you use one that's a little dry?

A slightly dry panettone actually works great, it soaks up the butter better and browns more easily while cooking. It's the perfect way to use up the one left over from the holidays.

How do you plate this for a slightly fancier dinner?

Plate each grilled slice individually with a quenelle of mascarpone cream and the compote off to the side as an accent. Add a few whole uncooked berries for color and a textural contrast.

Can you use other fruit instead of berries?

Yes, sautéed apples or pears work really well with the grilled panettone. Stick with something tart or soft to balance out the richness of the butter and mascarpone.

Can grilled panettone slices with mascarpone cream be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 20 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make grilled panettone slices with mascarpone cream?

Allow 30 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 20 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in grilled panettone slices with mascarpone cream?

About 560 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does grilled panettone slices with mascarpone cream cost?

About €2.40 per person, that's €14.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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