The holiday season isn’t complete without a touch of sweetness. In Italy, that often means indulging in Pandoro, a star-shaped cake that’s been a festive favorite since the 1800s. This delightful treat owes its existence to Domenico Melegatti, the brilliant pastry chef who patented Pandoro in 1894. Since then, Melegatti S.p.A. has been crafting delicious Pandoro and other sweet treats for over a century.

The Birth of Pandoro

What is Pandoro?

Originally called “pan de oro”, meaning “golden bread”, Pandoro is a buttery, soft, star-shaped cake. Its light, airy texture and simple yet rich flavor make it a holiday staple in Italy.

Unlike Panettone, which is a cylindrical cake often filled with raisins and candied fruits, Pandoro is known for its star shape and simplicity—free of any fruits, but full of flavor.

The Origin Story

Though Pandoro is an original creation, Domenico Melegatti drew inspiration from a traditional Veronese dessert called Levà. On Christmas Eve, it was custom for people in Verona to gather and bake Levà together, using flour, milk and yeast. In 1884, Melegatti enhanced this tradition by adding butter, more eggs and perfecting the leavening process. He patented his creation along with its distinctive star shape, giving birth to Pandoro we enjoy today.

Crafting Pandoro

Good things take time and care, and that’s the case with Pandoro. Though the ingredients are simple, the magic lies in the meticulous leavening process and the use of Melegatti’s “natural yeast”. This special yeast, along with butter and Italian free-range eggs, gives Pandoro its signature fluffy texture.

Fun Fact: Melegatti’s products use exclusively natural yeast, which undergoes a 24-hour process to develop the biomass essential for leavening.

The dough starts with this natural yeast, nurtured to achieve the ideal rise. It then undergoes a slow, careful leavening process, developing its airy texture. Shaped into its star form, the dough is baked to golden perfection. Each Pandoro is carefully removed from its mold by hand and dusted with icing sugar, adding a festive touch to this holiday classic.

Melegatti’s Sweet Legacy

A Rich History

Founded in 1894 in Verona, Melegatti S.p.A. quickly became famous for its Pandoro. The company expanded over the years, opening new shops and reaching markets across Italy. Their blend of traditional pastry-making techniques with meticulous craftmanship helped them grow. By the 1960s, Pandoro and Melegatti’s other confections were gracing supermarket shelves, making them accessible to a wider audience.

A Sweet Selection: Melegatti’s Offerings

In addition to Pandoro, Melegatti offers:

• Panettone – Naturally leavened and oven-baked, Melegatti’s panettones are moist and rich. They offer both traditional and innovative flavors such as Panettone with Chocolate Chips & Caramel.
• Croissants – Made with their signature natural yeast, Melegatti’s croissants are soft, fragrant, and come in a variety of flavors, from classic to fruit-filled and creamy.

We’re thrilled to bring Melegatti’s extraordinary range of products to you. Their dedication to quality, tradition, and innovation ensures that every confection is a delightful experience. Whether it’s the classic Pandoro, a rich Panettone, or a buttery croissant, Melegatti offers a taste of Italy’s sweet heritage.

Our Holiday pre-orders run until the end of September, reach out to your rep to secure your Melegatti Products before we run out!