This is the best Italian Panettone bread recipe ever! It rises so tall and comes out perfect every time! Once you try this easy Christmas Panettone recipe, you'll never make it any other way!
Pour lukewarm water in a large bowl and add yeast and sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until foamy. (The foam shows that the yeast is working)
Add the yogurt, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, orange zest and salt and mix until combined.
Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time and mix, until all the flour is incorporated.
Put the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, until the dough is soft and pliable. If the dough is sticky, add more flour 1 tbsp at a time, until no longer sticky.
Spray a new large bowl with cooking spray, put the panettone dough in the bowl, cover and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a pannetone pan or a round 8-inch cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Punch down the dough in a bowl, move the dough to floured surface, add the dried currants and raisins and knead until the dried fruit is incorporated.
Form the panettone dough into a ball, put in a cake pan, cover loosely with a towel, and let rise for 30 minutes. (If you are using a regular round cake pan, the dough will rise above the pan sides).
Put the panettone in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.