From Brazil to Florida: A family brings its baking legacy to a new home

(BPT) - International baking company Bauducco^® has been expanding the reach of its beloved Italian family recipes since its beginnings in Brazil 74 years ago — and is now expanding with a new U.S. facility in Zephyrhills, Florida.

While the company has had a presence in the U.S. for more than 20 years, it was seeking a larger permanent home. Bauducco^® selected Zephyrhills for its newest $200M facility after evaluating over 160 sites across seven states.

The 160,000-square-foot facility in Zephyrhills will double the company's previous production capacity and bring with it state-of-the-art production technology. The facility will create a faster supply chain and shorter lead times, enabling quicker shelf replenishment to meet growing consumer demand of the company's iconic baked goods including Panettone and wafers.

"These improvements demonstrate our commitment to quality and freshness, providing consumers with products that are baked domestically rather than imported," said Stefano Mozzi, International Business Unit CEO. "The new facility also demonstrates the company's confidence in U.S. market demand and investment in American manufacturing."

A boon to the local economy

This investment will boost the local economy by creating over 600 new area jobs across multiple phases of its development, including the launch of a retail store on Gall Boulevard in the fall of 2026. The company has already secured over 100 hires ahead of its official grand opening.

"Bauducco is looking forward to sharing its legacy of time-honored products, family values and commitment to quality with all of its employees and customers in Florida and beyond," added Mozzi.

A sweet family legacy

Initially famous for its Panettone, a holiday sweet loaf traditionally served at Christmastime, Bauducco^® is the only company to create Chocottone^®, a version of the holiday classic featuring chocolate chips. Beyond Panettone, the company is a leading wafer producer and seller, making its signature wafers in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and coconut flavors. New wafer flavors being produced can now receive their official "Made in USA" designation thanks to the Zephyrhills facility.

The company uses premium ingredients in all of its products, developing traditional recipes that are refined with innovation, rigorous quality assurance and made without artificial flavors or preservatives.

Creative ways to enjoy Bauducco^® products

Beyond enjoying Bauducco^® Panettone and wafers as is, you can find a wide variety of ways to use them at Bauducco.com/us/en/recipes. This flavorful recipe is bound to become a breakfast or brunch favorite any time of year.

Bauducco^® Panettone French Toast

Ingredients

French Toast

• 6 eggs
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 Bauducco^® Panettone (26.2 ounces), cut into 1-inch-thick slices
• 6 tablespoons butter

Syrup

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 strip lime rind
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prep

French Toast

In shallow bowl, beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Dip slices of Bauducco^® Panettone into egg mixture, coating both sides and letting excess drip back into bowl.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet or griddle set over high heat. In batches, cook French toast for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown, adding additional butter to skillet as needed.

Syrup

Combine sugar, 2 cups water, cinnamon sticks and lime rind; bring to boil. Stir in vanilla; boil for about 20 minutes or until thickened and syrupy. Remove lime rind and cinnamon sticks. Let cool slightly.

Tip: To test if the syrup is ready, scoop up some of the syrup with a spoon. When the drops blend, the syrup is ready.

Serve with warm syrup, fresh berries and a dollop of yogurt, whipped cream or mascarpone cheese. You can also satisfy your chocolate cravings by using Chocottone^® in the recipe instead.

Learn more about the Bauducco^® family legacy and products at Bauducco.com or on Instagram @BauduccoUS.