The Panettone Journey
Panettone is not just bread. It’s the Mount Everest of sourdough baking—a towering challenge of fermentation, structure, and flavor that humbles even the most seasoned bakers. And for us at Harris Hearth Breads, it’s been a journey of obsession, resilience, and joy.
Our panettone story began in 2021, long before our first holiday season. We were captivated by the idea of crafting this iconic Italian celebration bread using only traditional sourdough methods. No commercial yeast. No shortcuts. Just flour, eggs, butter, and the wild yeast of a living culture known as Lievito Madre.
Creating and maintaining Lievito Madre is a labor of love—and labor it is. This stiff, sweet sourdough starter demands daily attention, precise temperature control, and a deep understanding of microbial balance. It’s not just fed—it’s massaged, bathed, and coaxed into strength. And even then, it can falter. Our early attempts were riddled with collapsed domes, gummy crumbs, and heartbreak. But they were also delicious, and they kept us going.
In November of 2024, we launched our first serious panettone trials. Some rose beautifully, others slumped. We studied ancient texts from Italy and France, took masterclasses, and forged friendships with veteran bakers who had climbed this mountain before us. We learned that panettone isn’t mastered—it’s earned, one batch at a time.
And finally, just days before the holidays last year, we got it right. Our panettone emerged golden, fragrant, and feather-light, with a delicate dome and a custard-soft crumb. We offered it to our customers—and the response was overwhelming. It was clear: this wasn’t just bread. It was a gift.
Panettone is a naturally leavened celebration bread enriched with butter, eggs, and sugar, often studded with candied fruit or chocolate. It requires multiple fermentation stages, exacting temperature control, and a starter that’s been trained like an athlete. Few bakeries attempt it. Fewer still do it with sourdough. And almost none do it with local ingredients, handcrafted in small batches, using traditional techniques.
We are proud to be one of the few—if not the only—artisanal panettone makers in our region committed to this beautiful craft.
And now, in 2025, we’re thrilled to launch a dedicated Panettone Pre-Order Web Shop, where you can reserve your holiday loaves in advance. Whether you’re gifting, gathering, or simply indulging, we hope our panettone brings warmth, wonder, and a touch of magic to your season.
Let the journey continue—and let it be delicious.