From moist cakes to creamy cheesecakes and tangy cookies, each dish offers a burst of sunshine in every bite. These Italian recipes are sure to brighten your day and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Authentic Italian Easter Ricotta Pie
Ricotta pie is a lightly sweetened, cheesecake-like dessert with mini chocolate chips and candied citron. It has a lighter texture than traditional cheesecakes and is a real showstopper dessert.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Italian Easter Ricotta Pie
Pizzicati (Italian pinch cookies)
Pizzicati (Italian pinch cookies) are delicious buttery cookies filled with jam, gently pinched in the center, and then finished off with a dusting of powdered sugar.
They are often part of an Easter, Christmas, or wedding dessert tray. They are so delicately sweet that they make a delicious little afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Pizzicati (Italian pinch cookies)
Cannolis
This homemade Cannoli Recipe will blow you away with how rich and delicious it is! A creamy, sweet ricotta filling is loaded into freshly fried, crispy shells.
Dip the ends in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for the perfect finish.
Get the Recipe: Cannolis
Bunet
Bunet, a Piedmontese dessert, is a traditional recipe similar to chocolate crème caramel. It is an absolute joy to eat!
But you don’t have to be from Piedmont or Italy to master this recipe. It’s super simple to make, with steps that you can follow easily to create an impressive dessert for all occasions!
Get the Recipe: Bunet
Torta della Nonna
Torta della Nonna is a beloved, traditional Italian dessert that is enjoyed throughout the country. This classic tart is made with a lemony, tender shortcrust, filled with creamy Italian pastry, and is the perfect way to end any meal.
Despite its name, which translates to “grandmother’s cake,” this Italian custard pie was actually first created in a restaurant kitchen and quickly became a fan favorite.
Get the Recipe: Torta della Nonna
Italian Rainbow Cookies
If you want an adorable cookie recipe, try making Italian rainbow cookies. These cookies are also known as tri-color or tricolore cookies or Italian flag almond cookies, as they reflect the colors of Italy’s flag – red, white, and green.
These Italian-American cookies are made by layering almond cake with raspberry jelly and a sweet chocolate glaze. They’re not only visually appealing but also delicious to the taste buds!
Get the Recipe: Italian Rainbow Cookies
Tiramisu
If you’re looking for an authentic tiramisù recipe, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe is the original tiramisù recipe, according to the Italian Academy of Cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu
Sourdough Maritozzi (Italian Sweet Buns)
These Sourdough Maritozzi are truly exquisite. They are made with a soft brioche bun and filled with luscious vanilla whipped cream. The brioche buns are easy to make using a sweet sourdough starter (levain).
After the buttery buns are baked, they are cut in half and filled with the delicate whipped cream. Finally, a dash of confectioner’s sugar is added to finish off this delicious treat.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Maritozzi (Italian Sweet Buns)
Lemon Ricotta Cake
The fine crumble and the fresh creamy ricotta filling make this lemon ricotta cake simply irresistible. It requires minimal preparation, only six ingredients, and no stand mixer.
The cake boasts a refreshing yet delicate flavor and texture. The outside is crispy and crumbly, while the inside is soft and filled with sweet ricotta, bright lemon zest, and juice.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Cake
Zeppole: Italian Doughnuts
This classic Zeppole recipe, also known as Italian bite-sized doughnuts, is a simple fried (or air-fried) dessert or morning treat usually made around Christmas and New Year or to celebrate special occasions.
They are made with a pizza or bread dough, softened with cooked russet potatoes, sweetened with black raisins and powdered sugar, and become deliciously crispy on the outside once (air) fried.
Get the Recipe: Zeppole: Italian Doughnuts
Italian Pistachio Cookies
These Italian Pistachio Cookies aren’t like other pistachio cookie recipes. They don’t use pudding mix or artificial ingredients. They’re crispy outside and chewy inside, and they’re naturally dairy and gluten-free.
They’re quick and easy to make, and because their main ingredient is whole pistachios, just one or two will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pistachio Cookies
Neapolitan Ricotta and Pasta Pie
Traditionally made for Easter, pastiera is a ricotta pie famous in different parts of Italy. However, it’s most famously a Neapolitan recipe. Like many Italian dishes, there are, of course, variations of pastiera Napoletana. The most well-known is made with cooked wheatberries, ricotta, and candied fruit baked in a pie crust.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Ricotta and Pasta Pie
Limoncello Mascarpone Cake with Lemon Curd
Limoncello Mascarpone Cake with Lemon Curd is moist, light, and citrusy. The tender cake is lightly flavored with Limoncello and layered with a fluffy mascarpone cream frosting and sweet, tangy lemon curd.
Get the Recipe: Limoncello Mascarpone Cake with Lemon Curd
Amaretti Cookies
Homemade soft amaretti cookies – simple yet fancy. Only four ingredients for an elegant chewy, marzipan-like cookie!
Get the Recipe: Amaretti Cookies
Pizzelle Cookies
Pizzelle Cookies are a classic Italian tradition and they are super simple to make using a Pizzelle Iron and some common baking ingredients. Make these for Christmas, Easter, or any time you’re in the mood for a crisp, light, buttery Italian cookie.
Get the Recipe: Pizzelle Cookies
Delcious Chocolate Kahlua Tart
This Chocolate Kahlua tart! Not only does it look like it’s right out of a glossy magazine, but it tastes like a million dollars too!
Get the Recipe: Delcious Chocolate Kahlua Tart
Rustic Pear Galette
Even for those just starting out in the kitchen, this pear galette offers a straightforward yet stunning dessert option that suits any season. Whip up a treat that’s not just delicious but also ready for its close-up on Instagram.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Pear Galette
