Edited 26 December 2024, updated 21 December 2025
Here you will find two rankings. At the beginning that of the gambero Rosso panettoni. At the end that of Altroconsumo’s pandoro (obtained thanks to Il Fatto Alimentare, whom we thank).
The important fact is that both ‘clear’ the private label products of the discounters.
The best supermarket panettone cakes tested by Gambero Rosso
Edited 11 December updated 26 December 2024
After a careful survey involving numerous large-scale retail outlets, we have compiled a ranking of the tastiest panettone cakes this Christmas
How can you spend Christmas without a nice slice of panettone? It is difficult, almost impossible, whether it is a sacred rite to be celebrated at all costs, or a moment of sharing with loved ones. For this reason, we at Gambero Rosso have come up with another ranking, different from that of artisan panettone cakes, which may come in handy should you decide to buy one at the supermarket. In this specific case, after an accurate blind test on 18 samples purchased in various shops around Rome, we came up with a list of the best eight with a rather surprising result. Consider the fact that some important companies, with a history behind them, did not make the podium or even remained outside the final ranking. The best results are leavened pastries that are closer to Christmas cheerfulness, with fresh notes of vanilla, citrus fruits and good butter, juicy candied fruit and a clean and sincere aromatic profile, as far away as possible from the unnatural scents that some industrial products full of preservatives or mono and diglycerides of fatty acids can give off; and always with a soft crumb, moist enough, that threads without crumbling and is melt-in-your-mouth. We would also like to point out the widespread presence of a very thin paper ramekin, with a plasticised effect, which does not honour the Christmas festivities and which we therefore recommend removing before the panettone arrives at the table. With that, we are happy to share with you our ranking of the best supermarket classic panettone cakes.
The tasting panel
Participating in the panel were Indra Galbo, editor of the Gambero Rosso’s Oli d’Italia guide, Eugenio Marini, Gambero Rosso editorial staff, Mara Nocilla, professional journalist, Arcangelo Patrizi, pastry chef and owner of the Patrizi pastry shop in Fiumicino, Annalisa Zordan, editor of the Gambero Rosso‘s Ristoranti d’Italia, Pane&panettieri, and Gelaterie d’Italia guides.
The best panettoni in the supermarket
8) Extra, Carrefour
A pretty panettone with a caramel dome, a tall type, just shy in its development. The ochre-yellow inner face, on the other hand, reveals a correct leavening and regular holes that trap a modest amount of suspensions (sultanas and candied fruit). On the nose, lactic, buttery and alcoholic notes, reminiscent of Grand Marnier. A pleasant buttery imprint is found on the palate, which is less fruity than one might expect. What is most convincing here is the structure, suitably soluble, if slightly dry. A pity about the little juicy or aromatic orange candy.
1 kg – price: approx. 5 euros
7) Favorina, Lidl
Surprisingly, the tall – classic Milanese – leavened bread from the German supermarket company finds a place in the ranking. This is undoubtedly due to the persistent citrus notes (perhaps even too much). Compared to the outer body, which is dark, the inside shows a very bright yellow hue. The dense, messy alveolation, however, makes the most of the abundance of candied fruit that lends colour to the dough. By the way, the fleshyness of the sultanas, another element that justifies the placing. On the other hand, the structure is average.
1 kg – price: about 4 euros
6) Le Grazie, Esselunga
A low type of yeast, distinctive in its shiny dome and firm scarp. It fills the ramekin well, showing a regular development and inside a slightly tight eye, in which a certain amount of quite full-bodied sultanas are hidden. Less of Italian candied fruit, orange peel and citron. Unfortunately, the olfactory profile is not very fresh: mostly buttery and biscuity notes. In texture, it resembles a focaccia, given its tendency to crumble, although it retains its softness and on tasting proves to be properly moist and soluble.
1 kg – price: about 9 euros
5) Bauli
This historic company’s classic panettone is tall, composed and elegant, with an obvious scarp. From the old gold interior come sufficiently tasty candied orange peel, fruity, citrusy and biscuity notes, followed by whispers of vanilla. Elements that make it an example of good industry. An overall ‘festive’ sweetness that is accompanied by a less persuasive texture. In fact, with its ‘eggy’ texture, it seems dry on the palate, while in the hands it does not flow properly.
1 kg – price: about 9 euros
4) Coop
Tall biscuit-coloured body, scarpy and well leavened, as certified by the small alveoli evenly spread throughout the dough. The characteristic aromas of milk and butter in this case are similar to the classic and pleasant ones of traditional panettone. A sensation that is also present in the lactic and biscuity aftertaste, for a finish that is not unexpectedly clean. The quality of the candied fruit, not very succulent and excessively sugary, is compensated for by the fairly soft and stringy crumb, which does not stick to the palate.
1 kg – price: about 5 euro
3) The Milanese Panettone, Tre Marie
With an appearance that invites you to taste it, Galbusera ‘s low type panettone exhibits not only a particularly beautiful scarp but also a mixed and wild alveolatura, with artisan traits. To the touch, the golden yellow crumbs embrace good sultanas compared to the candied Sicilian orange and diamond citron, a little lacking in aromaticity. Nose of butter and citrus fruits. Balanced taste, if not for the slightly acidic return. With a structure that is neither too wet nor too dry, it melts properly.
1 kg – price: about 15 euros
2) Treasures of the Bakery, Todis
The famous discount store’s line takes the podium thanks to a Milan-type panettone produced by Maina. Small and graceful to the eye, it benefits from the ‘natural leavening of over 48 hours’. If the dome has a colour that fades into dull biscuit, the face expresses a bright, brilliant yellow. On the nose, the lactic perception, a little cheesy, dominates without being heavy. The taste is predominantly sweet and of excellent consistency: unexpectedly soft and soluble. The suspensions, little more than fibrous and sugary, are not exactly exciting.
1 kg – price: about 5 euros
1) Fior Fiore, Coop
Despite its unattractive appearance, it looks as good as a leavened pastry. It is a low type of panettone, the old galup (here flattened), and defined by a shiny surface, marked by the typical cross cut. As the blade sinks in, it flaunts an intensely golden texture rich in candied fruit (citron is clearly visible), to the taste not so far removed from the artisan one. The buttery palate, roughly clean and harmonious, makes one forget the nose pinched by hints of fermentation. The structure is no joke either, with good chewability and solubility.
1 kg – price: about 11 euros
Below: Barbieri’s Pandoro stands out for its price. Criticised on social media for his “Black Pearl” panettone.
Here instead is the pandoro guide compiled by Altroconsumo magazine to help you choose:
- Bauli the Verona pandoro. Rated 72. Excellent quality. Average price: 7.5 €/kg (best in the test)
- Motta the pandoro according to Bruno Barbieri. Rated 67. Good quality. Average price: 20 €/kg
- Paluani the pandoro from Verona. Rated 67. Good quality. Average price: 6,5 €/kg
- Pasticceria del Centro MD Discount. Rated 66. Good quality. Average price: 6 €/kg (Altroconsumo’s choice)
- Balocco Pandoro. Rated 66. Good quality. Average price: 7 €/kg
- Maina. Rated 65. Good quality. Average price: 7,5 €/kg
- Carrefour Extra Pandoro. Rated 64. Good quality. Average price: 5,5 €/kg (best buy)
- Melegatti the original Pandoro. Rated 62. Good quality. Average price: 7 €/kg
On this topic alsoread this article, but also there are no more artisan panettone cakes of the past: prices are too high for bad candied fruit and sultanas.
On the subject of artisan panettone you can also read this article.
Also :
Christmas 2025: The best pandoro and panettone cakes in the supermarket according to Altroconsumo
The best panettone cakes according to Altroconsumo and Gambero Rosso (2025)
And to understand commercial logic read : Panettone from €5 to €50, challenge between big brands and confectioners: the secret is below cost.
Below: the Dubai Style panettone photographed by Carrefour before Christmas 2025.
