My holidays wouldn't be complete without at least one (or half a dozen) Panettone cakes!

Panettone is a sweet, fluffy and fragrant pastry of Italian origin. The soft buttery dough gets its signature taste from candied orange and lemon zest. You'll find an occasional raisin here and there too.

This tall Italian fruit cake goes perfectly with a hot beverage on a chilly winter afternoon.

Try it - you're bound to find a new holiday tradition!

You can find some online but look around locally first. You'll probably find it for way under $10. I have tried many of them and not a single one was disappointing.

an original with neiman marcus, this cake is made with pine nuts, currants, golden raisons, almond glaze, and mascarpone creme. with everyone home for the holidays, its good to have goodies around and this will be a family favorite. (via neimanmarcus.com)

Panettone is as essential to an Italian Christmas celebration as fruitcake is to an American holiday. It's a light, fluffy, not-too-sweet cake filled with delicious candied fruit. A nice little hostess gift for a December get-together. Trader Joe's sells the traditional panettone and a cranberry version for under $6 each. (via loft3)