Traditional Italian Dessert Recipes Your Family & Friends will Love!

With this list of traditional Italian dessert recipes, you’ll have plenty of ideas for making a sweet treat for your family. Elegant enough for a dinner party, you can’t go wrong with a classic Italian dessert.

Collage of Italian desserts inlcuding tiramisu and cookies.

Having just visited Sicily and Rome last month on the Costa Smeralda ship, I fell hard for the Italian cuisine. From cookies to tiramisu to those lovely pastries, nothing is better with a cappuccino.

Sitting at a cafe in Taormina eating dessert while people watching? Bliss!

And if you love Italian food, you’ll want to check out these Italian dinner ideas, too. The oven braised beef recipe is to die for! Mangia!

Common Ingredients Used

Most favorite Italian desserts are made with simple ingredients like egg yolks, ricotta cheese, olive oil, powdered sugar, and cream cheese.

Flavored with ingredients that give these desserts that classic Italian flavor, you’ll be using things you probably already have like lemon zest, dried fruit, and real vanilla extract.

The most famous Italian dessert (and one of my favorites) is classic tiramisu. It’s easier to make than you might think, and there’s even one on this list with no alcohol. Enjoy!

Kelly Stilwell

Italian Amaretti Cookies Recipe

I’ve been thinking about making this bakery style Italian amaretti cookies recipe for so long. One of my favorite Italian sweets, they are delicate, chewy, and delicious!

Italian Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Kelly Stilwell

Italian Lemon Pound Cake

This amazing Italian Lemon Pound Cake is luscious and so moist! Your family will love having a special dessert and you’ll love how easy this cake is to make!

Italian Lemon Pound Cake

Kelly Stilwell

Easy Biscotti Recipe

Biscotti is one the most traditional Italian desserts. These Italian treats are one of my favorites for when I want a little something sweet. In Italy, biscottis are considered to be traditional Italian breakfast cookies, too.

Easy Biscotti Recipe

Veggie Desserts

Pignoli Cookies – Italian Pine Nut Cookies

This Pignoli Cookies recipe for Italian pine nut cookies is delicious. They’re chewy almond cookies on the inside with a crispy exterior.

Pignoli Cookies – Italian Pine Nut Cookies

Little Ferraro Kitchen

Italian Wedding Cookies

The perfect Holiday cookie, Italian wedding cookies are light as air with ground almonds, powdered sugar and lots of butter! I love these little Italian wedding cookies. They’re like little pillows of snow lightly crumbing on your tongue. Consisting of mostly ground almonds which is what makes…

Italian Wedding Cookies

Pasta Based

Vegan Almond Biscotti

There’s no feeling like listening to the rain pitter-patter on your window-sill while dipping a vegan almond biscotti into a mug of hot coffee.

Vegan Almond Biscotti

Wow Its Veggie

Grandma’s Italian Butterball Cookies Recipe

Italian butterball cookies are soft, flaky, and delicious! These butterball cookies are naturally vegan and this Italian recipe is over 60 years old!

Grandma’s Italian Butterball Cookies Recipe

https://www.mysequinedlife.com/

Classic Italian Pizzelle

This is a classic recipe for buttery crisp Italian pizzelle. Simple ingredients and a press are all you need for these anise-flavored traditional Italian cookies.

Classic Italian Pizzelle

https://www.bobbiskozykitchen.com/

Italian Wine Cookies

These traditional Italian Wine Cookies are quick and easy to make. Perfect for your holiday gatherings. From www.bobbiskozykitchen.com

Italian Wine Cookies

The Short Order Cook

Taralli – Italian Black Pepper Cookies

Taralli, an Italian snack, are wonderful savory crispy bites. They are a tasty combo of floral olive oil & spicy black pepper to enjoy with wine.

Taralli – Italian Black Pepper Cookies

https://thebellyrulesthemind.net/

Traditional Zeppole Recipe

This super easy zeppole – zeppoli recipe results in perfectly sweet, pillowy Italian donut holes. These small fritters are one of the best desserts when you want something to satisfy a sweets craving.

Traditional Zeppole Recipe

https://www.pastabased.com/

Vegan Struffoli

Sticky, sweet, vegan struffoli aka Italian honey balls made with Bee Free Honee and baked instead of deep-fried. If you like easy Italian desserts, this one is for you.

Vegan Struffoli

https://www.mangiabedda.com/

Sicilian Cannoli with Ricotta Filling

Cannoli recipes are one of the most popular of all Italian desserts. This Sicilian Cannoli with ricotta filling is an iconic Sicilian dessert known all over the world. Make your own with this step by step recipe!

Sicilian Cannoli with Ricotta Filling

https://littlesunnykitchen.com/

The Best Tiramisu Recipe (Easy!)

This easy Tiramisu recipe is made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a cream filling of custard mascarpone. It’s a no-bake dessert, and can be made ahead!

The Best Tiramisu Recipe

https://thehealthyepicurean.com/

Italian Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberries

Creamy, wholesome vanilla bean Italian ricotta cheesecake made with ricotta and cream cheese. A wholesome, hearty dessert everyone will love.

Italian Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberries

https://justisafourletterword.com/

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe – without alcohol!

The sweet, light texture of mascarpone cream mixed with the richness of coffee and chocolate makes this tiramisu cake a heavenly dessert.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe – without alcohol!

https://pintsizedbaker.com/

Chocolate Zuccotto (Bomb Cake)

Chocolate Zuccotto (bomb cake) with a light spongy cake exterior and filled with chocolate mousse and cherries served with Buttermilk Ice Cream and Amaretti Cookies.

Chocolate Zuccotto (Bomb Cake)

https://zestforbaking.com/

Gluten Free Tiramisu {Dairy Free}

This gluten free tiramisu is a classic dessert – from the coffee soaked ladyfingers to the rich coconut cream – it’s a dairy free twist!

Gluten Free Tiramisu {Dairy Free}

https://www.rainbownourishments.com/

Vegan Whole Orange Cake

Vegan orange cake using a WHOLE orange including the rind, like the Sicilian orange cake. Gluten free, eggless and only 5 ingredients! Such a delicious cake!

Vegan Whole Orange Cake

https://yourguardianchef.com/

Classic Italian Ricotta Cake No Butter

This is an old Italian ricotta cake no butter recipe from the wartime when butter was scarce. Instead of butter they used ricotta.

Classic Italian Ricotta Cake No Butter

https://www.texanerin.com/

Italian Lemon Almond Flour Cake

This Italian lemon almond flour cake (also known as torta caprese bianca) is full of lemon flavor and has a lovely texture! It’s also gluten-free and grain-free. Check out the reviews if you’re not convinced!

Italian Lemon Almond Flour Cake

https://thisoldgal.com/

Pressure Cooker Authentic Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

Pressure Cooker Authentic Italian Ricotta Cheesecake is a lighter alternative to a standard New York Cheesecake.

Pressure Cooker Authentic Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

https://www.occasionallyeggs.com/

Italian Chocolate Bread Cake

A traditional northern Italian chocolate bread cake, made with stale bread, cocoa, cookies, and raisins. This is a vegan version with almond milk. Can you ever go wrong with chocolate cake?

Italian Chocolate Bread Cake

https://www.insidetherustickitchen.com/

Panforte – Tuscan Fruit and Nut Cake

Panforte – a Tuscan Christmas cake made with candied fruit, nuts, festive spices and dusted with powdered sugar. A delicious special occasion Christmas treat!

Panforte – Tuscan Fruit and Nut Cake

https://www.thepetitecook.com/

Torta di Mele – Italian Apple Cake

Torta di Mele, aka classic Italian apple cake, is a dessert all Italian nonnas make! It’s and easy dessert to make and so soft and fluffy, with just 8 ingredients!

Torta di Mele – Italian Apple Cake

https://www.fromachefskitchen.com/

Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Almonds

Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Almonds is moist, fluffy and super easy to make! It’s perfect for dessert in the evening or with coffee in the morning!

Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Almonds

https://www.theflavorbender.com/

Panna Cotta Recipe (Foolproof)

A perfect fool proof panna cotta that is so easy to make! The only classic panna cotta recipe you will need plus variations! Ultra creamy, and every bite melts in your mouth!

Panna Cotta Recipe

https://kidgredients.com.au/

Vanilla Pannacotta

Yummy recipe for vanilla pannacotta. Easy to make and kidfriendly. Impress everyone with this super tasty version. Dress it how you like!

Vanilla Pannacotta

https://www.atastefortravel.ca/1

Light Mango Coconut Panna Cotta

This easy recipe for Mango Coconut Panna Cotta features Greek yogurt and coconut milk rather than heavy cream set on a sweet date and walnut base topped with fresh, sun-drenched mango.

Light Mango Coconut Panna Cotta

https://www.justalittlebitofbacon.com/

Italian Lemon Ricotta Pie

Ricotta pie is creamy and delicious! Perfect for the holidays.

Italian Lemon Ricotta Pie

https://www.the-pasta-project.com/

Neapolitan Ricotta and Pasta Pie (Pastiera Napoletana)

Neapolitan ricotta and pasta pie is an easy to make version of pastiera Napoletana. An unusual dessert full of typical Southern Italian flavours, it’s one of my favorite authentic Italian desserts.

Neapolitan Ricotta and Pasta Pie (Pastiera Napoletana)

https://www.endofthefork.com/

Strawberry Custard Tart

This classic strawberry tart has a wonderful crumbly crust, filled with delicious Italian pastry cream, topped with fresh refreshing strawberries.

Strawberry Custard Tart

https://www.thepetitecook.com/

Classic Italian Crostata – Jam Tart

Make crostata like an italian nonna! This super easy Italian jam tart recipe features dairy-free olive oil pasta frolla and your favourite jam – perfect for breakfast or snack time!

Classic Italian Crostata – Jam Tart

https://simplybeyondherbs.com/

Violet Panna Cotta recipe

This easy to make creamy and smooth panna cotta when accompanied by wild violets transform a classic Italian dessert into a captivating adventure.

Violet Panna Cotta recipe

https://www.addictedtodates.com/

Creamy Vegan Panna Cotta (with strawberry sauce)

Classic Italian panna cotta, but made entirely vegan. Served with sweet strawberry coulis, this light creamy dessert is perfect for summer!

Creamy Vegan Panna Cotta

https://theforkedspoon.com/

Affogato Recipe (Espresso Ice Cream)

The Affogato (Espresso Ice Cream) is a classic Italian dessert consisting of sweet vanilla ice cream topped, or “drowned” with hot espresso coffee.

Affogato Recipe (Espresso Ice Cream)

https://champagne-tastes.com/

Lemon Basil Granita with Honey

This easy lemon basil granita is a frozen dessert made with a quick basil honey simple syrup and lemon juice. No ice cream maker needed!

Lemon Basil Granita with Honey

https://daniscookings.com/

Easy Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake

One of the best Italian dessert recipes, this Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake is a perfect dessert for birthdays and celebrations. You can make it the easy way at home by following few simple steps!

Easy Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake