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