Easy Homemade Italian Christmas Bread Panettone

Ingredients

• Marinated fruit:
 
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
 
• 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
 
• 1/3 cup dried tart cherries
 
• 1/4 cup triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur) or orange juice
 
• Dough:
 
• 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
 
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
 
• 1/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
 
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
 
• 6 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, melted
 
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk
 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
 
• 1 large egg
 
• 1 large egg yolk
 
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
 
• Cooking spray
 
• 1 teaspoon butter or stick margarine, melted
 
• 2 teaspoons turbinado or granulated 

• • How to Make It

    Step 1

    To prepare marinated fruit, combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; let stand 1 hour. Drain fruit in a sieve over a bowl, reserving fruit and 2 teaspoons liqueur separately.
    Step 2

    To prepare dough, dissolve yeast and 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar in warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 1/2 cup flour and next 6 ingredients (1/2 cup flour through egg yolk) in a large bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer 1 minute or until smooth. Add yeast mixture and 1/2 cup flour; beat 1 minute. Stir in marinated fruit, 2 1/2 cups flour, and pine nuts. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
    Step 3

    Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, about 1 1/2 hours. Dough will not double in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)
    Step 4

    Punch dough down; let rest 5 minutes. Divide in half, shaping each into a ball. Place balls into 2 (13-ounce) coffee cans coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
    Step 5

    Preheat oven to 375°.
    Step 6

    Uncover dough. Place coffee cans on bottom rack in oven, and bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until browned and loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Remove bread from cans, and cool on a wire rack. Combine reserved 2 teaspoons liqueur and 1 teaspoon butter; brush over loaves. Sprinkle evenly with turbinado sugar.