Wondering what the best Italian desserts are? There are so many great options! From tiramisu, to cannoli, panna cotta, and more! Here are the BEST Italian dessert recipes to try!
Below are some classic Italian dessert recipes that you may or may not have tried.
These recipes are all super delicious, and loved worldwide!
So, if you’re enjoying an Italian meal at home, why not add on one of these amazing desserts? Your dinner party guests will be super impressed.
Be sure to check out these Italian appetizers, Italian salads, classic Italian soups, Italian side dishes, and 85+ Italian foods too! And toast to the occasion with one of these Italian cocktails.
Quick & Easy Italian Desserts to Try!
The Best Tiramisu Recipe – Live Well Bake Often
This is the BEST tiramisu recipe. Ladyfingers are dipped in coffee, layered with a mascarpone mixture, then dusted with cocoa powder.
Get the RECIPE from Live Well Bake Often
Panna Cotta Latte
This dessert/breakfast recipe is amazing for someone who loves sweet/creamy but also loves coffee! It’s also healthy, so it won’t break the calorie bank!
Get the RECIPE from Jar of Lemons
Cannoli (Canoli Filling and Shell Recipes) – Cooking Classy
The best Cannoli!! Made with a flaky, crisp shell enclosing this decadently creamy, sweet ricotta filling which is dotted with dark chocolate chips.
Get the RECIPE from Cooking Classy
Blackberry Ricotta Cake
This Blackberry Ricotta Cake is the most delicious Italian-inspired dessert. The rich ricotta provides the cake with perfect moisture and density and the blackberries make the flavor pop. It’s like the best combination of cake and cheesecake.
Blackberry Ricotta Cake
Passion Fruit Panna Cotta
Passion fruit panna cotta made with heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla bean, sugar, gelatine, and passion fruit.
Get the RECIPE from Whisper of Yum
Amaretti Cookies
These Italian Amaretti cookies are crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside. A fantastic gift or a snack to have with coffee. Naturally gluten-free.
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Sanctuary
Butterscotch Budino
This Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel is like a pudding cup for grown ups. It's a rich and creamy indulgent treat that's not overly sweet.
Butterscotch Budino
Chocolate Gelato Recipe
Dark chocolate gelato that’s intense, luscious and rich.
Get the RECIPE from Gourmande in the Kitchen
Coffee Mousse
Coffee Mousse is a decadent, airy dessert flavored with coffee & cocoa. Made with whipped cream & ricotta cheese to make it creamy without gelatin.
Coffee Mousse
Italian Cream Cake
This southern-style Italian cream cake is bursting with pecan, coconut, and almond flavors and is decorated with a cream cheese frosting.
Get the RECIPE from Sugar Spun Run
2-Ingredient Affogato Recipe (plus variations)
Affogato is an easy Italian dessert recipe made with espresso and vanilla ice cream.
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Konfidence
Coconut Panna Cotta
Coconut Panna Cotta is a creamy, dairy-free dessert that looks as imprssive as it tastes! All you need is 4 simple ingredients to make it.
Get the RECIPE from Detoxinista
Italian chocolate mousse
This delicious Italian style chocolate mousse is the perfect dessert for any occasion. It’s easy to make, delicious and festive too.
Get the RECIPE from In Simone’s Kitchen
Italian Butter Cookies
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make these bakery-style Italian Butter Cookies right at home!
Get the RECIPE from Bake du Jour
Bittersweet Chocolate Budino | Love and Olive Oil
Bittersweet Chocolate Budino. Decadent + delicious!
Get the RECIPE from Love and Olive Oil
Pizzelles
Pizzelles are a lightly sweet, crisp and delicious anise flavored Italian cookie traditionally served during Christmas, and Easter.
Get the RECIPE from Saving Dessert
Lemon Olive Oil Cake • stays moist for days!
Lemon olive oil cake is a deliciously moist and tender Mediterranean style lemon cake perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!
Get the RECIPE from The View from Great Island
torta caprese | flourless chocolate almond cake – whisked away kitchen
Torta caprese | flourless chocolate almond cake. Made with melted dark chocolate and ground almonds, this torta caprese is incredibly rich and oh so decadent!
Get the RECIPE from Whiskey Away Kitchen
Cheesecake Factory Italian Lemon Cream Cake
Italian Lemon Cream Cake. This cake has fluffy vanilla cake layers, a filling of lemon mascarpone cream, and the outside of the cake has a lemon crumb topping. Powdered sugar is dusted over the whole cake for a pretty finish.
Get the RECIPE from Nina Kneads to Bake
Italian Pear Almond Cake – Seasons and Suppers
A lovely pear cake, made with fresh pears, nestled in a lightly sweet and moist almond cake. A perfect cake to enjoy any time of day.
Get the RECIPE from Seasons and Suppers
Torta Barozzi Chocolate Cake recipe – Torta o Ragione
Torta Barozzi Chocolate Cake recipe. A chocolate brownie-like cake with a toasted coffee flavor. Naturally gluten free
Get the RECIPE from Torta o Ragione
Ricotta Mousse with Raspberries
Ricotta Mousse can be made in just 10-minutes with 4 simple ingredients. This no-bake, make-ahead raspberry mousse is a creamy, decadent and delicious.
Ricotta Mousse
Classic Italian Rainbow Cookies! (Video!) – Well Seasoned Studio
Italian rainbow cookies (tri color cookies) are so much fun to make! Thin layers of cake are mixed with raspberry jam and chocolate!
Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio
Italian Anise Cookies (Dairy Free) – Simply Whisked
These anise cookies soft, flavorful, and even better than your grandmother’s traditional Italian Christmas cookies because they’re dairy free.
Get the RECIPE from Simply Whisked
Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie
A creamy ricotta filling with a hint of lemon and almond is baked inside of a sweet Italian pie pastry. Typically served on Easter, but not exclusively, this Ricotta Pie is the star of the show at any meal.
Get the RECIPE from Everyday Pie
Strawberry Ricotta Cake
This Strawberry Ricotta Cake is the most delicious Italian-inspired dessert. The rich ricotta provides the cake with perfect moisture and density and the strawberries make the flavor pop. It’s almost like a combination between a cake and a cheesecake.
Strawberry Ricotta Cake
Italian Wedding Cookies
Toasting your almonds before making Italian Wedding Cookies makes all the difference in flavor. In this easy recipe, I’ll show you a shortcut. A must have cookie for Christmas edible gift giving.
Get the RECIPE from Pinch and Swirl
Pastiera Napoletana
Pastiera is an Italian classic made with ricotta, wheat berries and candied fruits scented with the fragrance of orange blossom!
Get the RECIPE from marcellinaincucina.com
Nonna’s Sponge Cake – Mangia Bedda
This lemony, light and fluffy cake is always a favorite! Nonna’s Sponge Cake, a cake that all nonnas make is a must in all Italian households!
Get the RECIPE from Mangia Bedda
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these Italian dessert recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
More Italian Recipes to Try
More National Dessert Recipes to Try
Did you Make Any of These Italian Desserts?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of Italian dessert recipes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Be sure to check out these 85+ Italian recipes too!
Full Recipe
40+ Easy Italian Desserts
Wondering what the best Italian desserts are? Tiramisu, cannoli, panna cotta + more! Here are the BEST Italian dessert recipes. Try this Coffee Mousse. A decadent, airy dessert flavored with coffee & cocoa. Made with whipped cream & ricotta cheese to make it creamy without gelatin.
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Serves 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
Garnish:
- Chocolate Shavings
- Mint Sprigs
Instructions
- Purée ricotta, cocoa powder and coffee in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
- In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream until thick. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until the cream holds stiff peaks.
- Fold in cream into the ricotta mixture in 3 stages. Spoon the mousse into serving bowls and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and mint and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 78mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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