If you're looking to try your hand at making authentic Italian treats, you're in the right place. Here’s a list of classic Italian desserts recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare, sure to impress family and friends alike. Whether you're craving something creamy, crunchy, or refreshingly cold, there's a recipe here that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Italian Desserts Recipes
Italian desserts are known for their delicious sweetness and beautiful looks. I have collected some amazing Italian dessert recipes that you can try making yourself. Whether you want to try Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo, enjoy a smooth Easy Panna Cotta, or make a traditional Pastiera Napoletana, these recipes are great for any sweet lover. Each one is perfect for adding a bit of Italian delight to your day. Enjoy baking and sharing these lovely desserts!
Strawberries And Cream Semifreddo
This easy, no-churn delight layers the creaminess of ice cream with the lightness of mousse, all without the need for an ice cream maker. The end result is a creamy, half-frozen dessert dotted with a lush strawberry compote. Ready to impress at any gathering, this dessert comes together with common kitchen staples and can be prepped ahead for effortless elegance.
Ingredients:
For the semifreddo
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 to 3 tablespoons toasted, chopped almonds, pistachios, or pecans (optional)
For the strawberry compote
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled and quartered
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Easy Panna Cotta
It's a creamy custard marrying uncomplicated ingredients like cream, sugar, and gelatin into a silky smooth dessert that's effortless to master. The treat sets into a wobble of indulgence that's ready for a tumble of summer berries and a drizzle of homemade raspberry sauce.
Ingredients:
For the panna cotta:
- Vegetable oil, or vegetable oil spray (for the molds)
- ½ cup cold milk
- 3 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
- 3 cups heavy cream
- ⅓ cup (67g) sugar
- Pinch salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the sauce and berries:
- 1 (12-ounce) package (about 3 cups) frozen raspberries, defrosted
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, sliced strawberries, or a mix
Vanilla, Cranberry And Chocolate Biscotti
Bite into the sweet harmony of Vanilla, Cranberry and Chocolate Biscotti for a delectable crunch. This biscotti is where classic vanilla dough meets tart cranberries and rich chocolate chips, creating playful contrasts in every slice. An electric mixer fluffs sugar and eggs before vanilla and flours blend in, and the dough divides for its cranberry and chocolate cocoa twist. Twice-baked to perfection, it's a dunkable treat for your coffee or a snack on its own - simple to make, delightful to taste.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- 1 cup plain flour
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup dark choc chips
- 2 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoon milk
Cassata ice-cream cake
Bite into the sweet harmony of Vanilla, Cranberry and Chocolate Biscotti for a delectable crunch. This biscotti is where classic vanilla dough meets tart cranberries and rich chocolate chips, creating playful contrasts in every slice. An electric mixer fluffs sugar and eggs before vanilla and flours blend in, and the dough divides for its cranberry and chocolate cocoa twist. Twice-baked to perfection, it's a dunkable treat for your coffee or a snack on its own - simple to make, delightful to taste.
Ingredients:
- Olive oil spray
- 1 x 17cm bought plain sponge cake (see note)
- 2 tablespoon amaretto liqueur
- 1 x 2L ctn Neapolitan ice-cream
- 45g (¼ cup) dried mixed fruit
- 2 tablespoon coarsely grated dark chocolate
- Cocoa powder, to dust
Tartufo
Easy to slice and serve, it turns any gathering into a sweet celebration. This treat begins with spongy cake soaked in amaretto, hugged by layers of strawberry, vanilla mixed with fruit and chocolate, and delightful chocolate ice-cream. Simple olive oil spray and plastic wrap make preparation a breeze. Once assembled and frozen, a dusting with cocoa powder adds the final touch.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart vanilla ice cream (such as Haagen Dazs®)
- 8 maraschino cherries (such as Luxardo®)
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 5 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
- 36 chocolate wafer cookies (such as Dewey’s Bakery®) (optional)
- ½ cup salted roasted pistachios (optional)
Italian Olive Oil Cake
This easy-to-bake cake uses simple whisking steps and vibrant ingredients like honey and fresh milk. The result is a moist, fluffy cake that’s soft in texture with a lightly browned crust. Serve it chilled with a dusting of powdered sugar or alongside fresh blackberries for a refreshing treat that surprises with every bite.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups white sugar
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest (2 oranges)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting (Optional
Panna Cotta
Sweeter than a sibling to crème brûlée, it's a mix of cream, sugar, and vanilla that sets into a custardy wonder, thanks to a sprinkle of gelatin. It's poured into molds and chilled, emerging as a wobbly delight that awaits your favorite topping. Whether adorned with berries or a rich chocolate drizzle, it's effortless elegance in a dish, ready to impress.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ teaspoons (one 7g packet) unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup half-and-half
- ⅓ cup (67 g) sugar
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Pastiera Napoletana
Pastiera Napoletana is a traditional Easter treat straight from Naples, celebrated for welcoming spring. More than a simple tart, it's a sweet symphony of ricotta, orange zest, and candied fruit, with a unique twist: hearty grains of farro or wheat berries hidden within. Encased in a buttery pastry that's crisscrossed on top, this delightful pie takes days to make.
Ingredients:
For the pastry:
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz or 4 cups) 00 or plain (all-purpose) flour, plus extra for dusting
- 200 g (7 oz or 1⅔ cups) icing (confectioner’s) sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Zest of 1 orange
- 250 g (9 oz) butter, plus extra for greasing
- 5 egg yolks, plus 1 egg (beaten) for the egg wash to finish
The farro or wheat berries:
- 100 g (3½ oz) soaked farro or wheat grains (berries)
- 350 ml (12 fl oz or 1½ cups) milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Pinch salt
For the rest of the filling:
- 350 g (12 oz) ricotta
- 4 egg yolks
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 100 g (3½ oz) finely chopped candied orange or cedro (citron)
- 250 g (9 oz or 1¼ cups) sugar
- 1 Tbsp. orange blossom water
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract or the seeds from ½ vanilla pod (bean)
- Pinch salt
- 3 egg whites
Italian Rainbow Cookies
Italian Rainbow Cookies, also known as Neapolitan or tricolore cookies, bring a pop of color and sweetness to any table. These tiny treats layer almond-scented cake with raspberry jam, all hugged by a rich, bittersweet chocolate coating. Whether you choose raspberry or switch it up with apricot jam, their vibrant red, white, and green stripes not only taste delicious but also pay homage to the Italian flag.
Ingredients:
- Cooking spray
- 1 (8-ounce) package almond paste (such as Solo)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) unsalted butter, softened, divided
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 2 cups (about 8 ½ ounces) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Red liquid food coloring
- Green liquid food coloring
- ½ cup seedless red raspberry jam, divided
- 1 ½ cups chopped (60% cacao) bittersweet chocolate (from 3 [4-ounce] bars)
Mascarpone Cheesecake with Almond Crust
This treat features a unique almond and graham cracker base, topped with creamy layers of mascarpone and cream cheese. Finished with a warm chocolate-hazelnut drizzle, each slice offers a delightful crunch followed by velvety smoothness, making it an irresistible choice for any occasion.
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
- ⅔ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 (8-ounce) containers mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
Topping:
- ½ cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
- ¼ cup whipping cream
