24 Italian desserts that taste like they came straight from Nonna’s kitchen
Italian desserts have a special kind of magic. Many of them come from recipes that have been shared at family tables for generations, using simple ingredients to create unforgettable flavors. From creamy classics to delicate pastries and rich baked treats, these desserts are proof that traditional recipes never go out of style. Whether you’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting old favorites, these Italian sweets are always worth making.
Italian Chocolate Salami
Italian chocolate salami – salame di cioccolato is a no-bake treat with cookies and chocolate. It’s perfect for the holidays or edible gifts.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chocolate Salami
Homemade Torrone Italian Nut Nougat
Homemade torrone Italian nut nougat is chewy, nutty and citrusy, layered with crisp wafer sheets. Great for gifting or holiday candy trays.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Torrone Italian Nut Nougat
Crostata Di Marmellata
With a tender pasta frolla and glossy strawberry jam, this crostata di marmellata bakes golden, slices clean and tastes bright and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Crostata Di Marmellata
Chocolate Hazelnut Semifreddo
Whipped cream, zabaglione, Nutella, and toasted hazelnuts come together in this rich, dreamy chocolate hazelnut semifreddo.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Semifreddo
Spumoni
This spumoni recipe is an easy, nostalgic dessert. It’s no-bake layered ice cream dessert topped with cherries, nuts and chocolate curls.
Get the Recipe: Spumoni
Limoncello Panna Cotta
Creamy limoncello panna cotta with berries—an easy, elegant Italian dessert that’s bursting with citrusy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Limoncello Panna Cotta
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
This lemon ricotta cake recipe is light, fluffy and full of lemony flavor. It is a must-try traditional Italian dessert.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie
Italian ricotta pie is a sweet Christmas or Easter pie that’s rich, sweet, and features incredible flavors with citrus, almond, and vanilla.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie
Maritozzi Italian Cream Buns
Italian maritozzi cream buns are Italian pastries that melt in the mouth. They’re flavored with orange and vanilla for an exquisite taste.
Get the Recipe: Maritozzi Italian Cream Buns
Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
This chocolate hazelnut torrone is a perfectly delicious delight. It’s a wonderful Italian sweet treat that’s perfect for hazelnut lovers.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
Zuppa Inglese
Zuppa inglese is a rich Italian dessert with creamy layers, liqueur-soaked ladyfingers, and a citrusy touch—perfect for any sweet occasion.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Inglese
Italian Rice Pie
Italian rice pie is a creamy ricotta and rice dessert with lemon zest and a buttery crust. It’s great for holidays or any special meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Pie
Italian Almond Cake
Italian Almond Cake, also called Torta di Mandorle, is a tasty and easy dessert made with almond flour, olive oil, and sugar.
Get the Recipe: Italian Almond Cake
Lemon Granita
Beat the heat with this refreshing lemon granita recipe! Perfect for hot summer days, it’s easy to make and is a tantalizing sweet treat.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Granita
Torta Della Nonna
This torta della nonna is so good! It means grandmother’s tart or pie, and is flavored with lemon, vanilla and pine nuts. It’s so delicious.
Get the Recipe: Torta Della Nonna
Biscoff Panna Cotta
Biscoff panna cotta has vanilla and cookie butter layers with optional caramel in the middle. It’s a great make-ahead dessert for guests.
Get the Recipe: Biscoff Panna Cotta
Bomboloni
Soft and light Italian bomboloni doughnuts are rolled in sugar and filled with Italian pastry cream. Perfect for breakfast or a mid-day treat.
Get the Recipe: Bomboloni
Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake
Light, tender and with a zesty flavor, this Italian lemon mascarpone cake is a real treat. The fluffy layers and creamy frosting are so good.
Get the Recipe: Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake
Tartufo
An easy, elegant tartufo recipe with ice cream layers, a cherry center, chocolate shell, and cookie crunch—perfect for a no-bake treat.
Get the Recipe: Tartufo
Italian Amaretti Budino Cake
This Italian amaretti budino cake is soft, rich and full of almond flavor with ricotta and lemon. It’s a unique, easy-to-make bundt cake.
Get the Recipe: Italian Amaretti Budino Cake
Authentic Italian Tiramisu
This authentic Italian tiramisu is such a treat! Combining coffee, chocolate, cream, lady fingers and more, it’s a classic Italian dessert.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Italian Tiramisu
Ricotta Zeppole
Make these easy Ricotta Zeppole at home in just 30 minutes! Light, fluffy, and dusted with powdered sugar, the ultimate Italian sweet treat.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Zeppole
Affogato
This classic affogato recipe features creamy vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso, creating a creamy, frothy dessert that’s perfect for Valentines Day.
Get the Recipe: Affogato
Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
This Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle is a classic dessert that gets a berry twist with lots of strawberries, chocolate and a fabulous mascarpone cream.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
