The holiday season in Italy is a time of delightful indulgence, especially when it comes to desserts.
From traditional classics to modern delights, Italian Christmas desserts are a feast for both the eyes and the taste.
Here is a collection of easy and delicious Italian Christmas desserts that will add a touch of sweetness to your holiday celebrations.
The festivities at the end of the year are a wonderful time to stay warm and busy in the kitchen to prepare typical and traditional Christmas dessert recipes.
At Christmas, sweet foods are the masters, appearing on Italian tables and immediately filling all diners with festivity.
Italian Christmas dessert traditions run deep, with many regions boasting heirloom recipes handed down through generations.
Sweets play an integral role in the celebrations and feasting of the holidays in Italy.
From the north to the south, bakeries and home kitchens alike are filled with the smells of nuts, citrus, chocolate, and spices during this festive season.
No matter how much you have eaten between appetizers, first courses, main courses and various other side dishes, the deliciousness takes over and there is always space for dessert.
Not only will it be a joy to eat them, but also to bake them, filling the house with that warm and enveloping aroma that immediately makes Christmas just feel like Christmas!
Making these typical Christmas desserts can turn into a family tradition.
31 Italian Christmas Desserts You Want To Make This Christmas
These desserts below will go perfect as a dessert in your home, or even as gifts to friends and family.
I wish you an Amazing Christmas and I hope you will bring to the table some of this Christmas sweet treats!
#1 Panettone Italian Christmas Sweet Bread
Panettone is a traditional italian Christmas dessert, and has now become a symbol of Christmas throughout Italy!
It is a leavened dough that cannot be missed in Italian homes for the holiday season.
#2 Frittelle: Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Doughnuts
For all those with a sweet tooth, you can’t fail to try these frittele; this is a sweet dough. I guarantee you they are irresistible, they are dipped in sugar that sticks.
Fluffy fluffy these Christmas frittelle are a great way to welcome your guests during the holiday season.
#3 Authentic Italian Tiramisù Recipe
Traditional Italian dessert, present in Italian homes for christmas time, it is a dessert where no baking is needed.
This version has fondant chocolate chips that make a wonderful dessert.
#4 Italian Chocolate Toto Cookies
Totò cookies are Sicilian treats referred to as “biscotti dei morti” because, by tradition, they are made, sold and eaten on the very occasion of the November 2 holiday, although they are then continued to be made until the Christmas holidays.
Totos are cocoa cookies coated with icing, also cocoa.
#5 Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe
Pizzelle are a traditional dessert from the Abruzzo.
Precisely because of their simplicity, Abruzzo pizzelle are one of the oldest sweets in all of Italy.
The few ingredients needed and the simplicity of preparation explain the antiquity of this recipe.
#6 Christmas Cannolis
Cannoli cannot be missed on the tables of Southern Italy.
It is a dessert that in the south is prepared all year-round. They are perfect to present at the Christmas table with the addition of colorful sprinkles.
#7 Italian Christmas Cake
This one is a traditional Christmas cake from Calabria, and is a really delicious holiday treat.
#8 Struffoli Recipe Italian Honey Balls
These tasty small balls are perfect for Christmas season.
Making it with orange zest is the Neapolitan version, it’s one of the most traditional Italian Christmas desserts.
#9 Panforte
Perfect for the festive season the origin of this dessert is Siena, Tuscany.
It is worth a try!
#10 Italian Christmas Cookies
This classic Italian cookie is the Christmas version of the classic Italian wedding cookies.
#11 Original Sicilian Cassata Cake
It is a closed ricotta cake with a beautiful lemon zest flavor.
#12 Italian Christmas Cake Pandoro Di Verona
This pandoro Christmas tree cake filled with custard is just perfect for Christmas.
#13 Italian Coconut Cream Cake
A delicious Christmas cake filled with cream cheese with delicious coconut flavor.
#14 Panettone Bombe – Christmas Ice Cream Cake
Traditional Christmas desserts are perfect to serve with sweet wine.
#15 Nutty Nougat Recipe – Torrone Recipe
Perfect for serving on special occasions such as Christmas.
#16 Italian Cookies Canestrelli
Canestrelli cookies are my favorite cookies and they are typical for Christmas in Northern Italy.
They are easy to make and very tasty.
#17 Italian Anise Cookies
These delightful Italian Anise Cookies make any Christmas cookie platter even prettier.
#18 Panettone Bread Pudding
Traditional Italian panettone gets an easy dessert makeover. Just cut up, add cream, eggs and a little orange zest and liqueur to bring out the delicious citrus taste.
So easy, so fresh and perfect for a crowd!
#19 Pangiallo Romano (Roman Christmas Cake)
This Christmas Italian cake is called Pangiallo (yellow cake) and is made during the year end to celebrate the winter solstice.
It is made with dried fruit, chocolate and nuts with a delicious saffron topping. The best is that it is super easy to make.
#20 Classic Italian Rainbow Cookies
These Italian rainbow cookies are based off of my Sicilian great grandfather’s recipe with a twist!
Made entirely vegan, without dairy, and no eggs, but you’d never know- these surprisingly easy cookies are vibrantly colored and full of almond and sweet jam flavor!
#21 Zuppa Inglese
This no-bake Italian dessert is actually made with cookies (biscuits) and couldn’t be easier to make, or more delicious!
#22 Pignoli Cookies Recipe
My Italian cookie recipes, one of the simplest pastries to create, pignoli cookies need little effort and few ingredients.
Make a batch of these delectable Italian cookies for your holiday cookie tray!
#23 Raspberry Panna Cotta
This deliciously light Raspberry Panna Cotta is topped with a homemade Raspberry Compote.
#24 Italian Cream Cake Recipe
When you make this cake the best part is when it’s dessert time!
#25 Italian Lemon Olive Oil Cake
This classic Italian cake is make with olive oil and fresh lemon for a light and delicious dessert that is great for Christmas time.
#26 pANDOLCE RECIPE
Pandolce Genovese is the Italian Christmas cake filled with raisins, candied fruit, and pine nuts
#27 Baci di Dama
Celebrate the holidays with Baci di Dama!
These Italian hazelnut cookie sandwiches are buttery and crispy with chocolate Nutella center.
#28 Pandoro
Pandoro is an iconic Christmas cake enjoyed throughout Italy.
Originating in Verona, pandoro has become emblematic of the holiday season.
#29 Italian Butter Cookies
Italian Butter Cookies are melt into your mouth with just a bit of crunch.
Traditionally piped into a variety of shapes, the soft dough can also be used with a cookie press, or rolled into balls.
They are perfect to give as gifts to neighbors during the holidays!
#30 Italian hot chocolate
Cozy up next to the Christmas tree with this thick Italian hot chocolate.
Grab 4 store cupboard ingredients and in just 5 minutes you’ll have the best hot chocolate ever.
#31 Cantucci (Italian Almond Cookies)
Cantucci are delicious Tuscan cookies that go perfectly with a glass of milk or cup of coffee.
The ideal treat for Christmas morning.
And which dessert will you prepare for Christmas this year?
Let me know in the comments!
Happy cooking!
Isabella
Wednesday 22nd of November 2023
I have such fabulous memories of my Nonna making hot chocolate and serving them with little crunchy almond cookies. I am so excited to try a couple of these recipes and take me back to that round table in her kitchen :)
Angie
Sunday 26th of November 2023
Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of your Nonna and the Italian Christmas desserts! I hope the recipes turn out delicious and bring back those fond moments. Enjoy the journey down memory lane, and may your Christmas celebrations be filled with joy and warmth!
Randy
Tuesday 21st of November 2023
I have an Italian exchange student and wanted to make her some traditional Italian Christmas desserts. I have made several desserts and they turned out amazing! My foreign student loved them and is looking forward to making more with me throughout the Christmas season. Thank you for helping me make amazing memories!
Betsy
Saturday 18th of November 2023
These look so good, I love all the cookie options. I'm bookmarking this page so I can start baking my way through the list! Thanks!
Sage Scott
Wednesday 15th of November 2023
Soooo many delicious looking Italian Christmas desserts, and only so much time (and calories) to try them all! We already know and love panettone, but after reading this, I'd put Pandoro Di Verona at the top of my must-try list!
Ellen
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
My aunt made many of these desserts when I was a child. I need to try a few on my own.