34 Italian Dessert Recipes For a Taste of La Dolce Vita

Italian cuisine has earned global fame, and its desserts are no exception. They’re legendary for a reason! Whether you’re craving creamy tiramisu or smooth panna cotta, there’s an Italian delight waiting to tantalize your taste buds. Channel your inner chef and indulge in one of these fantastic recipes. These Italian dessert recipes perfect for celebrations or just a sweet craving, you’re guaranteed to find a new favorite.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

The sweet tangy flavors in these lemon ricotta cookies is almost too amazing to describe. These cookies are easy but definitely impressive!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Limoncello Panna Cotta

A truly delicious classic Italian dessert, limoncello panna cotta with fresh berries is definitely something you should try. It’s straightforward to make, even if you don’t often make desserts, and the combination of fresh berries, limoncello liqueur, lemon zest, and cream is just mouthwatering. Words can’t do this amazing Italian dessert enough justice – you’ll just have to make lemon panna cotta yourself and then you’ll see!
Get the Recipe: Limoncello Panna Cotta

Panettone Italian Bread

A homemade Panettone. — Panettone. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This traditional panettone recipe, or Italian Christmas cake, has an orange-scented sweet dough enriched with fruits and raisins.
Get the Recipe: Panettone Italian Christmas Bread

Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe

Chinese mooncakes on a cooling rack, complemented by an Italian dessert. — Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This gingerbread pizzelle recipe makes authentic Italian Christmas pizzelles. These holiday cookies have a crisp texture and delicious ginger snaps flavour. Aromatic cinnamon, ginger and cloves add a spicy touch to the pizzelle cookies, while molasses gives them a rich sweetness. This Christmas cookie is a holiday tradition.
Get the Recipe: Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe

Homemade Italian Struffoli Honey Balls

An Italian dessert plate with a wreath of peanuts on it. — Homemade Italian Struffoli Christmas Honey Balls. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Homemade Italian struffoli is so good during the holidays. These fried dough balls with honey are sweet and tasty. Whether you know them as Christmas honey balls or fried cookies with honey glaze and sprinkles, they’re a wonderful addition to your festive menu. This is the best struffoli recipe!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Italian Struffoli Honey Balls

Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

An Italian dessert, a slice of pumpkin pie, rests gracefully on a rustic wooden table. — Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Looking for a traditional Italian dessert to make? Try making sweet Italian ricotta pie, a delicious cheese pie filled with ricotta, vanilla, orange, and spices. You can simplify the recipe by using a pre-made pie crust instead of pasta frolla, and your family will love this creamy pie with its lattice top and rich ricotta cheese filling.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Super Easy No Bake Cannoli Cones

Italian Dessert: Ice cream cones with chocolate and cherry toppings on a table. — Super Easy No Bake Cannoli Cones. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Looking for an easy way to make cannoli? These no bake cannoli cones are fun to make. You don’t need to use the oven or stove and there is no deep-frying or dough-making involved here. So if you want to keep cool while the weather is warming up, this is a nice dessert recipe.
Get the Recipe: Super Easy No Bake Cannoli Cones

Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake

An Italian bundt cake with powdered sugar on top. — Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella

The bundt pan is essential for creating the classic shape of this Italian dessert, which is a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. Whether you enjoy it for a holiday celebration or a casual gathering, this lemon ricotta amaretti budino cake will surely please.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake

Easy Italian Zuccotto Cake

Traditional Italian desserts like this easy Italian Christmas zuccotto cake are the perfect treat for after dinner. This beautiful Italian dessert is made with pound loaf (pound cake), mascarpone cheese, chocolate, and more. There are only nine ingredients in this simple Italian liqueur cake and the multicolour sprinkles give it a fun look.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Christmas Zuccotto Cake

Lemon Ricotta Cake

This lemon ricotta cake has moist, fluffy texture and a light, creamy flavor from ricotta and lemon. It’s super easy to make for dessert!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Cake

Quick Cassata Ice Cream

Discover a quick and easy cassata recipe! Create this delectable Italian dessert in a flash. Full of luxurious flavours and textures. The perfect treat!
Get the Recipe: Quick Cassata Ice Cream

Creamy Panna Cotta

An Italian dessert with berries and cream on a plate. — Creamy Panna Cotta (No Agar Agar Or Gelatine!). Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

This vegan panna cotta is not only creamy but velvety. It is a silky smooth cooked cream that just melts in your mouth. Making this vegan Italian dessert requires little effort, but delivers a stunning result. If you find panna cotta with agar-agar stiff and too firm, you will love this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Panna Cotta

Italian Ricotta Cookies

White icing cookies with sprinkles on a cooling rack, perfect as a delightful Italian dessert. — Italian Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Italian Ricotta Cookies are always popular! Our recipe for Italian Ricotta Cookies. Soft, tender and fluffy sprinkle cookies with a cake-like texture that melts in your mouth will have them asking which bakery they came from!
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian Castagnole Recipe

An Italian dessert concept featuring a bowl of sugared doughnuts with a bite taken out. — Italian Castagnole Recipe. Photo credit: M.A. Kitchen.

Those Italian castagnole are fried dough balls with a tender texture inside and slightly crispy on the outside. They are sweet, aromatic, and the perfect treat to celebrate the Carnival season!
Get the Recipe: Italian Castagnole Recipe

Sweet Ricotta and Pear Crostata

An Italian dessert tart with apples and pistachios on top. — Sweet Ricotta and Pear Crostata. Photo credit: M.A. Kitchen.

This Sweet Ricotta and Pear Crostata is an amazing italian dessert that can be made for special occasions. A delicious recipe that it looks so pretty on the tables.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Ricotta and Pear Crostata

Italian Ricotta Pie

An Italian dessert cake with a slice taken out of it. — Italian Ricotta Pie. Photo credit: M.A. Kitchen.

Italian ricotta pie, also known as ricotta crostata is a classic Italian dessert very popular all over the country. The recipe consists of a pie filled with creamy ricotta cheese and chocolate chips, and the pie crust is made with a traditional Italian dough called pasta frolla.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Pie

Decadent Chocolate Italian Love Cake

A slice of Italian chocolate cake on a plate with a fork. — Decadent Chocolate Italian Love Cake. Photo credit: This Silly Girls Kitchen.

Decadent and rich cake with a silky smooth topping, Chocolate Italian Love Cake is the perfect end to any meal. A chocolate lover’s dream dessert.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Italian Love Cake

Tiramisu Cookies

These delicious, coffee-flavored tiramisu cookies are the perfect after-dinner treat, dessert table addition, or compliment to your morning cup of coffee. A delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, this easy tiramisu cookie recipe combines espresso powder and sweet mascarpone frosting topped with cocoa powder.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Cookies

Prune and Fig Cjarsons Di Pontebba

An Italian dessert plate with dumplings and raisins on it. — Prune and Fig Cjarsons Di Pontebba. Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

lso sometimes called agnolotti di Pontebba, these prune and fig cjarsons (cjalsons) are a traditional sweet ravioli from the town of Pontebba in Friuli Venezia Giulia, near the border with Austria
Get the Recipe: Prune and Fig Cjarsons Di Pontebba

Lemon Olive Oil Cake Recipe

A refreshing Italian dessert featuring a cake infused with tangy lemon flavor, topped with luscious berries and delicately dusted with powdered sugar. — Lemon Olive Oil Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

This Italian lemon olive oil cake uses everyday ingredients but is packed full of delicious fruity flavors. Made with fresh lemon juice and zest, this cake is both light and tender.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Amaretto Cookies

Italian almond cookies on a plate with almonds. — Amaretto Cookies. Photo credit: Strenght & Sunshine.

The classic Italian cookie now as a healthy gluten-free, vegan, keto, and paleo recipe! Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies made with almond flour and no added sugars or oils will be a delicious addition to the dessert platter!
Get the Recipe: Amaretto Cookies

Chocolate Caramel Affogato

Italian dessert of ice cream in a glass with chocolate sauce. — Chocolate Caramel Affogato. Photo credit: Strenght & Sunshine.

The easiest two ingredient Chocolate Caramel Affogato recipe that’s gluten-free and vegan! A decadent buzz-worthy treat to prepare on a date night or girl’s night! This twist on the classic Italian dessert will be your new favorite coffee and ice cream treat!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Affogato

Hazelnut Panna Cotta With Caramel Sauce

An Italian Dessert sundae topped with caramel and nuts. — Hazelnut Panna Cotta With Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

Imagine taking a bite out of a velvety smooth cloud infused with the rich and nutty essence of hazelnuts. Each spoonful is a symphony of delicate sweetness with subtle hints of caramel. Truly a decadent dessert.
Get the Recipe: Hazelnut Panna Cotta With Caramel Sauce

Torta Di Ricotta {Italian Ricotta Cheesecake}

An Italian Dessert pie with a slice taken out of it. — Torta Di Ricotta {Italian Ricotta Cheesecake}. Photo credit: Ask Chef Dennis.

I love recipes I learned while traveling through Italy, and my Torta di Ricotta (Italian Ricotta Cheesecake) is one of my favorites!
Get the Recipe: Torta Di Ricotta {Italian Ricotta Cheesecake}

Homemade Mini Panettone

An Italian Dessert in a brown paper bag on a table. — Homemade Mini Panettone. Photo credit: Adore Foods.

Mini Panettone Recipe | Easy traditional Italian bread dessert recipe made with raisins and a touch of citrus. Enjoy it for Christmas or New Year!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Mini Panettone

Ricciarelli

Italian lemon crinkle cookies on a white plate. — Ricciarelli. Photo credit: My Happy Bakes.

Ricciarelli are chewy Italian almond cookies that originated from Siena. They’re easy to make, gluten free and perfect for Christmas!
Get the Recipe: Ricciarelli

Overnight Oats Tiramisu

Two glasses of Italian chocolate pudding with whipped cream on top. — Overnight Oats Tiramisu. Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that we all know and love. It boasts a harmonious blend of coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits, creamy mascarpone, and a hint of cocoa
Get the Recipe: Overnight Oats Tiramisu

Walnut Biscotti Recipe

An Italian dessert featuring a pile of dried fruit and nuts on a piece of paper. — Walnut Biscotti Recipe. Photo credit: Wow, Its Veggie.

If you are looking for vegan biscotti, chances are you are looking to elevate your teatime and may or may not have already tried it!
Get the Recipe: Walnut Biscotti Recipe

Italian Almond Cookies

A close up of Italian Dessert powdered cookies with powdered sugar. — Italian Almond Cookies. Photo credit: Food Doodles.

These Italian almond cookies are surprisingly quick and easy to make with five ingredients and they taste incredible! They make for especially great Christmas cookies and are naturally grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Get the Recipe: Italian Almond Cookies

Creamy Sicilian Ricotta Pie

An Italian lemon tart recipe, topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh lemon zest. — Creamy Sicilian Ricotta Pie (Video). Photo credit: Spatula Desserts.

This easy Sicilian Ricotta pie with a hint of lemon is one of the creamiest, most delicious Pie you will ever make! Classic Italian Ricotta Pie is traditionally associated with Easter, but it might just be your favorite Pie all year round!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sicilian Ricotta Pie

Italian Easter Cookies

These tasty Italian Easter cookies are sweet, light and irresistible. They are topped with vanilla glaze and also boast festive sprinkles!
Get the Recipe: Italian Easter Cookies

Easy Vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta

An Italian dessert recipe featuring a glass with raspberries and yogurt in it. — Easy Vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta Without Gelatin. Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

This 15-minute easy vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta is creamy, rich and literally foolproof. With no gelatin, it is so easy, you can make it every day. I’ll show you how to make Panna Cotta that is dairy-free, sugar-free and absolutely delightful. Perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta

Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta With Blueberry Jello

Two Italian martinis with a radish garnish. — Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta With Blueberry Jello. Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

Indulge in an earthy silkiness of aromatic lavender, comforting chocolate and zingy blueberry in this sophisticated and creamy Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta dessert.
Get the Recipe: Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta With Blueberry Jello

Bomboloni – Italian Doughnuts

Make a batch (or two) of bomboloni, traditional Italian doughnuts filled with rich pastry cream. These are the perfect party treats that are insanely yummy and artisanal-looking.
Get the Recipe: Bomboloni – Italian Doughnuts