Rich Panettone

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1/2 cup candied fruit
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds (optional)
• 1 egg white, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

Place the milk, cream, rum, vanilla extract, butter, eggs, sugar, salt, lemon zest, flour, and yeast into the pan of a bread machine in the order listed. Set machine to Bread Dough for a 1.5 pound loaf; press start. When dough has been kneaded 10 minutes, add the candied fruit, raisins, and chopped almonds and continue to knead.

Grease 2 9×5-inch pans. When the kneading and rising cycles of the bread machine have completed, remove the dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and divide into two equal portions. Spread dough into prepared bread pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; allow to rise for 1/2 hour.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk together the egg white, water, 1/4 cup sugar, and the sliced almonds. Spoon mixture evenly over loaves.

Bake in preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool on rack for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.