As the holiday season approaches each year, the aroma of decadent cocoa and roasted nuts fills the air at Irrewarra Bakery, transforming it into a truly magical place.

This year, we’re giving you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into that very special time of year, sharing how our Panforté are crafted from scratch by our fantastic bakers.

This beautiful process behind our festive range has become a holiday tradition that we look forward to every year at Irrewarra, and we are so proud that we can share in your celebrations through our artisan products.

Perfecting Irrewarra Panforté

The process we go through to create this special seasonal treat is time-honoured, and is a much-loved occasion in the Irrewarra Bakery.

We follow the classic Italian recipe: dark chocolate, cocoa, dried figs, roasted almonds, glacé citrus, raisins and spices, all sweetened with local Victorian honey. The almonds are roasted, the chocolate melted and the honey and sugar heated to ‘softball stage’, before all ingredients are mixed. 

Then it's all hands on deck! There is a brief window of time to press the mixture into special moulds before it sets. Each year our Panforté production provides a beautiful moment of comradery between our bakers, who work together quickly to hand press each one.

Each Panforté is then baked to perfection, producing an addictively chewy, nougat-like cake. Following another treasured Italian tradition, they are then individually hand-wrapped in our thick, bespoke patterned paper – making them a wonderful pre-wrapped gift for any member of the family.

To share, we love to dust ours with icing sugar and present it in a glass domed stand as a celebratory festive centrepiece. Then slice and enjoy – perhaps with a freshly brewed Italian coffee or dessert wine, such as Australia’s finest De Bortoli Noble One.

Like all our products, Irrewarra Chocolate Panforté is preservative-free – however, it will last for a long time wrapped in its original packaging and stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. 

There is simply nothing better than receiving the gift of artisan baked goods! Share the joy this Christmas and treat your family, friends or colleagues to Irrewarra’s Chocolate Panforté.

Shop Chocolate Panforté online or find your local stockist here.

We wish everyone a safe and happy festive season and look forward to being part of your Christmas celebrations!

Irrewarra Fruit Mince Tarts and Chocolate Panforté are available online or in Victoria, NSW, QLD, SA and WA at your favourite fine food retailers – click here to find your local stockist. If you find your local Irrewarra stockist does not currently have stock on hand, please encourage them to place an order for you.

Ensure you place your online orders by 18th December 2023 to ensure delivery before Christmas Day (excludes WA and NT).

You’ll need to wait a little bit longer for our sourdough Christmas Fruit Loaf, available in the last week before Christmas (Tuesday 19th December - Sunday 24th December) at our Victorian stockists.