As popular as it is as a savory destination, Italy is pretty great even in the dessert department. From the richly decadent Tiramisu to the crispy, cream-filled Cannoli, Italian sweets have found acceptance and patronage across the globe. Every region of Italy adds its quirk to the art of dessert-making: be it their desserts using fresh cream, fresh fruits, or flakes of pastry.
What is so special about Italian desserts is that sweetness and flavor always go hand in hand: you indulge, but never feel overwhelmed by the robustness of the dishes. Most Italian sweets are quite simple to make since they do not depend on complicated techniques; they only rely on select special ingredients. Here is a comprehensive Italian desserts list of simple treats that will certainly feature in your list of top 10 Italian desserts.
1. Tiramisu
One of the most famous Italian desserts, Tiramisu is a layered sweet dish that contrasts the bitterness of coffee with the sweet saltiness of mascarpone cheese cream filling.
Ingredients:
- 250 gm mascarpone cheese
- 3 large eggs (separated)
- 100 gm sugar
- 200 gm ladyfinger biscuits
- 300 ml brewed espresso (cooled)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
Method:
- Whisk the egg yolks with sugar until pale and creamy.
- Add the mascarpone to the egg mixture and mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold into the mascarpone mixture.
- Dip the ladyfingers in the espresso and layer them in a dish.
- Spread half the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers and repeat the layers.
- Dust with cocoa powder and refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings, if you want.
2. Cannoli
Ingredients:
- 12 cannoli shells
- 400 gm ricotta cheese
- 100 gm powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 gm mini chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 50 gm pistachios (chopped)
Method:
- Mix the ricotta, powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Pipe the ricotta mixture into the cannoli shells.
- Dip the ends into chopped pistachios and dust with powdered sugar.
3. Panna Cotta
Ingredients:
- 500 ml heavy cream
- 80 gm sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp gelatin
- 3 tbsp cold water
Method:
- Heat the cream and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves, then remove it from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Bloom gelatin in cold water, then stir the gelatin mix into the warm cream.
- Pour into moulds and refrigerate for 4 hours.
- Unmold and serve with berries.
4. Ricotta Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 500 gm ricotta cheese
- 250 gm cream cheese
- 150 gm sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Method:
- Preheat the oven and grease a springform pan.
- Beat ricotta, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in lemon zest and a little flour.
- Bake for 1 hour and cool before serving.
5. Zeppole
Ingredients:
- 200 gm all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 100 gm sugar
- 250 gm ricotta cheese
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Method:
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and ricotta in a bowl.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Heat oil in a pot and drop spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.
6. Sfogliatelle
Ingredients:
- 250 gm puff pastry
- 200 gm ricotta cheese
- 100 gm sugar
- 50 gm semolina
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Method:
- Cook semolina in boiling water, then mix with ricotta, sugar, lemon zest, and cinnamon.
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut into circles.
- Place a spoonful of filling in the center and fold the pastry over.
- Bake until golden and serve warm.
7. Biscotti
Ingredients:
- 300 gm all-purpose flour
- 150 gm sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 150 gm almonds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
Method:
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and lemon zest in a bowl.
- Add eggs and vanilla, and mix to form a dough.
- Fold in almonds, shape into logs, and bake until firm.
- Slice the logs into biscotti and bake again until golden.
8. Torta Caprese
Ingredients:
- 200 gm almond flour
- 150 gm dark chocolate (melted)
- 150 gm butter
- 200 gm sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
Method:
- Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs one at a time.
- Stir in melted chocolate and almond flour.
- Add cocoa powder and baking powder, mixing until smooth.
- Bake in a preheated oven until firm.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
9. Semifreddo
Ingredients:
- 300 ml whipping cream
- 100 gm sugar
- 3 large eggs (separated)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh berries for garnish
Method:
- Whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until pale, then fold into the whipped cream.
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the cream mixture.
- Pour into a loaf pan and freeze for 6 hours.
- Serve with fresh berries.
10. Amaretti Cookies
Ingredients:
- 250 gm almond flour
- 150 gm powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Granulated sugar for rolling
Method:
- In a bowl, mix almond flour, powdered sugar, and almond extract.
- Add egg whites and stir until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough into balls and coat with granulated sugar.
- Bake until golden and slightly cracked.