40+ BEST Italian Desserts (Quick & Easy Recipes)

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!

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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.

Easy Italian Desserts to Try!

Sliced tiramisu on plate.
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
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
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
Ricotta cake on piece of parchment before being sliced.
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 made with heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla bean, sugar, gelatine, and passion fruit.
Get the RECIPE from Whisper of Yum
Amaretti cookies in jar.
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
One jar of butterscotch budino topped with salted caramel.
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
Dark chocolate gelato that’s intense, luscious and rich.
Get the RECIPE from Gourmande in the Kitchen
Overhead close up of bowl of coffee mousse topped with flaky salt, mint sprig and chocolate shavings.
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
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
Affogato is an easy Italian dessert recipe made with espresso and vanilla ice cream.
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Konfidence
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
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
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. Decadent + delicious!
Get the RECIPE from Love and Olive Oil
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.
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. 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
Italian lemon cream cake being sliced into.
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
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. A chocolate brownie-like cake with a toasted coffee flavor. Naturally gluten free
Get the RECIPE from Torta o Ragione
Four jars of ricotta mousse topped 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
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
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
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
Overhead shot of strawberry ricotta cake cut up with three serving plates of 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
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 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
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?

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Be sure to check out these 85+ Italian recipes too!

Collage of Italian dessert recipes.

40+ BEST 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.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

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.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

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
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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