Dessert Recipes

Dessert Recipes

Dessert Recipes - ItalianCookies.com

Welcome to a collection of decadent Italian dessert recipes, where timeless tradition meets irresistible indulgence. From silky Tiramisu and rich Cannoli to delicate Panna cotta. Each dessert crafted to capture the essence of Italy’s regional flavors. You’ll find your sweet cravings for dessert recipes fulfilled whether it is old espresso, creamy mascarpone, or sweet ricotta. We offer step-by-step guidance to help you recreate them. Whether you’re looking for new or discovering Italian sweets for the first time, these desserts promise to bring warmth, elegance.

Desserts

Affogato Espresso Ice Cream

The affogato dessert is a beloved Italian treat, traditionally enjoyed as a light afternoon indulgence or refreshing sweet after a meal—especially in warmer months. In Italy, this simple yet elegant espresso with Gelato or ice cream is typically listed under dolci (desserts) and served in both cafés and restaurants. In the United States, the Italian coffee dessert has evolved into…
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Desserts

Torta Tenerina

Torta Tenerina, a beloved dessert from the Italian city of Ferrara, traces its roots back to the early 20th century. This rich, flourless chocolate cake was originally created in honor of Elena of Montenegro, the Queen of Italy and wife of King Victor Emmanuel III. Known for her gentle and tender nature, the cake was named “Tenerina” — meaning “tender”…
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Desserts

Rum Baba – Neapolitan rum babà

The Rum Babà, also known as Babà Napoletano, is now a beloved symbol of Neapolitan pastry tradition, but its origins trace far beyond Naples. This iconic dessert began as a rich yeast cake called babka in Poland, where it was a staple in royal kitchens. In the 18th century, the exiled Polish king Stanisław Leszczyński brought the cake to France….
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Desserts

Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese is a classic Italian layered dessert that combines layers of sponge cake or ladyfingers soaked in vibrant red Alchermes liqueur with creamy, rich pastry cream. This luscious trifle-like dessert is both visually striking and full of flavor, making it a favorite at family gatherings and special celebrations. Most food historians believe Zuppa Inglese was inspired by the English…
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Desserts

Torta della Nonna – Grandma’s Cake

Despite its comforting name and classic look, Torta della Nonna—or Grandma’s Cake—is a relatively modern addition to Italy’s culinary repertoire. Most food historians trace its origin to Tuscany, particularly Florence or Arezzo, where it’s believed to have been created in the mid-20th century by a local chef responding to diners’ requests for something “traditional.” One popular story credits Florentine chef…
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Desserts

Zabaglione

Zabaglione (also known as zabaione, or sabayon in French) is a traditional Italian dessert of whipped egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine, has a history as rich as its flavor. Believed to have originated in the 15th or 16th century, the dessert’s roots are often traced to the northern regions of Italy, particularly Piedmont. Local lore attributes its invention to…
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Desserts

Bomboloni Doughnuts

Bomboloni are a classic Italian treat that captures the heart with their soft, pillowy texture and irresistible sweet fillings. These delightful bombolini doughnuts originate from Tuscany and now enjoyed all across Italy, especially in cafes, pastry shops, and street fairs. Unlike American-style doughnuts, Bomboloni come typically round without a hole in the center and are most often filled after frying….
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Desserts

Cannoncini Cream Horns

Cannoncini Cream Horns, also known as cannoncini alla crema, is a beloved Italian pastry that hails from the northern regions of Italy, particularly Piedmont and Lombardy. The dessert’s name, “cannoncini,” translates to “little cannons,” referencing its cylindrical shape that resembles a cannon barrel. Cannoncini Cream horns are made from puff pastry dough. Wrapped around a cone-shaped mold and then baked…
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Cheesecakes Desserts

Cannoli Cheesecake

The Cannoli Cheesecake is a modern dessert that blends two beloved culinary traditions: the rich, creamy texture of classic New York-style cheesecake and the sweet, ricotta-filled charm of traditional Sicilian cannoli. While cheesecake has roots stretching back to ancient Greece, and cannoli emerged in Sicily during the Arab rule around the 9th century, the fusion of the two desserts is…
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