A Guide to Classic Italian Desserts

 

Are you looking for a dessert to go with your after-dinner coffee? Well, look no further than some of these Italian treats. Italian desserts are known for their rich taste and texture. Here is a look at just some of the more popular Italian desserts today. Or, take a look at our bakery for a full list of desserts you can try.

 

Tiramisu

Tiramisu from Alio in East Redern.

This layered dessert is infused with espresso to give the perfect ratio of coffee, cake, and cream. The name tiramisu actual means “pick me up” in Italian.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 10 min Total: 40 min

Ingredients to buy at your local store

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • Four 8-ounce containers mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups espresso or strong coffee, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup brandy or cognac
  • 30 to 32 crisp Italian ladyfingers
  • 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • Shaving of bittersweet chocolate

Full recipe and directions

 

Biscotti

desert1

Because of its flakey texture, biscotti are a great treat to dunk right into your hot beverage. Biscotti are actually a twice-baked cookie, so the flavor is really infused. You can choose almost any flavor you would like, but lets just cover the basics needed to make this delicious treat.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Total: 1 hr 5 min

Ingredients to buy at your local store

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon anise extract
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

Full recipe and directions

Chocolate Amaretti Cake

Chocolate and white cake, created in the pastry kitchen at Jim Alesci's Place Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Photograph by Peggy Turbett Photography)

If you are craving chocolate but looking for a lighter desert, look no further than this flourless treat: chocolate amaretti cake!

Prep: 30 min Cook: 35 min Total: 1 hr 5 min

Ingredients to buy at your local store

  • Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 cup baby amaretti cookies (about 2 ounces)
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
  • 4 large eggs
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder

Full recipe and directions

Panna Cotta

Panna-Cotta

This sweet treat is similar to a pudding in consistency and can be found in almost any flavor of your liking-even topped with berries!

Prep: 5 min Cook: 6 hr Total: 6 hr 5 min

Ingredients to purchase at your local store

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 3 teaspoons powdered gelatin
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups light or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Full recipe and directions

 

White Peach Tart

 

If you love a good pie, you have to try this recipe! What makes this white peach tart standout? It’s all in the crust. Instead if a typical stiffer pie crust, this is very light and flakey; virtually melting in your mouth. Also, it is less time consuming then the average pie.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 1 hr Total: 1 hr 30 min

Ingredients to buy at your local store

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons peach preserves
  • 3 to 4 firm white peaches, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
  • Confectioners’ sugar

Full recipe and directions

 

Zabaglione with Strawberries

Strawberries Zabaglione

This custard desert is a light and airy dessert that will sure to please your taste buds. You can add any flavor, including liquor, but lets check out this recipe with strawberries. Remember, the strawberries can be exchanged with any other topping you wish.

Prep: 2 min Cook: 5 min Total: 7 min

Ingredients to buy at your local store

  • 8 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup dry marsala powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 pint sliced strawberries

Full recipe and directions

 

Cannoli

Italian specialty foods at Alesci's include freshly made sub sandwiches, cheese and meat plates, housemade cannoli, and freshly baked bread, photographed Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Jim Alesci's Place in Solon, Ohio. (Photograph by Peggy Turbett Photography)

A classic Italian dessert, this fried pastry with sweet ricotta filling is a staple in the Italian dessert group! What makes a cannoli so appetizing is the variety they come in. You can add chocolate to make it a chocolate covered shell, dip the sides in pistachios, sprinkles or chocolate chips. The sky’s the limit. Lets check out this traditional cannoli recipe, with chocolate chips.

Prep: 1 hr Cook: 45 min Total: 1 hr 45 min

Ingredients to buy at your local store

Shells

  • 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3/cup white wine
  • Shortening

Filling

  • 4 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 ups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1/4 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Full recipe and description