But panettone is being redeemed by some first-rate American bakers who are turning out their own rich and fresh versions of the traditional Italian specialty.

Before too long, American bakers began following the French example and turning out excellent bread.

"People didn't like crusty bread or dark flours, but as American bakers started going to Europe, there was a reorientation."

American and European bakers enjoyed the floral flavouring of rose water in their baking until the 19th century when vanilla flavouring became popular.

But American bakers are icing them with chocolate, making them impossible to dip.

For instance, a little over a year ago, the Metz Baking Company merged with the Heileman Baking Company to become the fifth-largest American baker.

Australian and Swedish bakers are accustomed to taller paper cases with a larger diameter at the top than American and British bakers.

Rose Levy Beranbaum is an award-winning American baker and cookbook author.

Field in particular helped professional American bakers inspired by wood-fired ovens in Italy put into practice the lessons they learned from tasting bread with real flavor.

Alexander Bern Bruce (September 17, 1853) was a Scottish American baker and politician who served as the twenty second Mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts.