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.
Having just visited from 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.
The Recipes
Cookies
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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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…
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Vegan Almond Biscotti | Pasta-based Vegan Recipes
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.
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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!
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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.
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Italian Wine Cookies
These traditional Italian Wine Cookies are quick and easy to make. Perfect for your holiday gatherings. From www.bobbiskozykitchen.com
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Taralli - Italian Black Pepper Cookies - The Short Order Cook
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.
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Pastries
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.
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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.
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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!
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Cakes
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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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Italian Lemon Almond Flour Cake (grain-free, gluten-free) - Texanerin Baking
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!
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Pressure Cooker Authentic Italian Ricotta Cheesecake
Pressure Cooker Authentic Italian Ricotta Cheesecake is a lighter alternative to a standard New York Cheesecake.
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Italian Chocolate Bread Cake - Occasionally Eggs
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?
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Panforte - Tuscan Fruit and Nut Cake - Inside The Rustic Kitchen
Panforte - a Tuscan Christmas cake made with candied fruit, nuts, festive spices and dusted with powdered sugar. A delicious special occasion Christmas treat!
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Torta di Mele - Italian Apple Cake - The Petite Cook
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!
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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!
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Custards and Tarts
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!
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The BEST Chocolate Panna Cotta - Pinch and Swirl
A dark chocolate twist on the original, Chocolate Panna Cotta is an impressive dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. If you’ve had room for dessert after a meal at your favorite Italian restaurant, you may
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Vanilla Pannacotta- quick and easy kid friendly dessert
Yummy recipe for vanilla pannacotta. Easy to make and kidfriendly. Impress everyone with this super tasty version. Dress it how you like!
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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.
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Italian Lemon Ricotta Pie
Ricotta pie is creamy and delicious! Perfect for the holidays.
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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.
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Strawberry Custard Tart
This classic strawberry tart has a wonderful crumbly crust, filled with delicious Italian pastry cream, topped with fresh refreshing strawberries.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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Frozen Desserts
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.
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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!
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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!
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FAQ
What is the most popular Italian dessert?
According to several resources, tiramisu is the most popular Italian dessert.
What is the most popular Italian cookie?
Biscotti is the most popular Italian cookie. In fact, a small biscotti often comes with a cappuccino at Italian restaurants.
Are these Italian desserts difficult to make?
Most of this list is easy Italian dessert recipes, but you may find a couple that are more complicated.
Share your favorite Italian desserts in the comments! I'd love to try something new!
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Jacqueline Debono
Italians really do make the most fabulous desserts! This collection is drool-worthy. Thanks so much for including my pasta pastiera!