Authentic Italian Dessert Recipes: 20+ Of The Best Italian Desserts!

The Italian food adventure is an endless journey, and one of the best parts of this journey definitely includes Italian dessert recipes!

Italian cuisine is distinguished throughout the world for the recipes that our grandmothers and mothers have handed down from generation to generation for decades.

And some of the best parts of these recipes that have been handed down are definitely the sweeter recipes!

So if you are looking for a few ideas to make an actual authentic Italian dessert, then the recipes below are exactly what you need.

There are so many unique recipes from every different region in Italy when it comes to desserts.

Obviously it is not possible to draw up an exhaustive list of Italian desserts.

This would take forever, and the list would be extremely long!

The recipes collected below, however, can be a worthy source from which to draw some inspiration.

I have included ones that I, as an Italian, feel are worthy to be called the best Italian desserts!

Tiramisu, apple pie, cannoli with ricotta cheese and more!

Just a few which are included!

28 Of Best Italian Dessert Recipes

See also:

• 15 Of The Best Italian Breakfast Recipes You Need To Try
• Authentic Italian Pasta Recipes: 34 Delicious Recipes
• Pasta With Potatoes & Bacon: Quick Italian Recipe
• Italian Pear And Almond Chocolate Cake – from theworldisanoyster.com

So, below are the 28 best Italian dessert recipes that I personally love!

#1 Chocolate Caramel Affogato 

The easiest 2 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!

#2 Zuccotto: A Creamy Italian Dessert Cake

Zuccotto is a traditional cream filled Italian dessert. It is extremely impressive yet surprisingly easy to make!

#3 Cherry Panna Cotta

This creamy dessert features classic Italian vanilla panna cotta topped with a rich homemade cherry syrup.

This Cherry Panna Cotta can be made ahead and is ideal for entertaining guests during summer months!

#4 Classic Italian Cream Custard (Zabaglione)

This classic Italian cream custard, a.k.a Zabaglione is quick and easy to put together, and it’s best when served right away.

#5 Chocolate Genoise Sponge Cake Recipe

This light and airy Italian (Genoise) Chocolate Sponge Cake is light and airy and filled with a quick, easy and delicious chocolate mousse, loads of summer fruit like raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries, with a scrumptious stabilized whipped cream icing.

This is the perfect adult birthday cake idea!

#6 Ricotta Cake

The fine crumble and the creamy, lemon ricotta filling make this amazing ricotta cake to die for.

It’s also very easy to make, it requires only 6 ingredients, minimal preparation, and it’s guaranteed to impress!

#7 Lemon Ricotta Cake

This Lemon Ricotta Cake is exceptionally moist, light and sweet!

Delicious ricotta cheese adds a creamy richness which pairs perfectly with the brightness of fresh lemon.

You’ll want to make this unforgettable, rustic, Italian lemon cake!

#8 Cannoli Cream Cake

My Cannoli Cream Cake is heaven on a plate! Three layers of moist, tender yellow cake stuffed with delicious homemade cannoli cream.

Not too sweet and perfect any time of the year, and especially the holiday season!

#9 Ricotta Pie

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 favourite Pie all your around!

#10 Cannoli Recipe

Photo: Pies And Tacos

The cannolo is a typical Sicilian sweet, and one dessert which I eat almost every Sunday afternoon. It is usually seasoned with ricotta, a cheese that can be salty OR sweet.

#11 Italian Cream Puffs With Custard Filling

Found at Eats Well With Others

Typical dessert for the feast of Saint Joseph. It’s so good, you’ll eat more than one, for sure.

#12 Tiramisu

This dessert has been made by me plenty of times. Who doesn’t love tiramisu? It’s enriched with dark chocolate! Creamy and crunchy with every bite!

#13 Sicilian Almond Cookie

These cookies remind me of my childhood. So many times my dad would come home after work with these delicious biscuits.

#14 Raspberry Tiramisu

Here is another version of this delicious Italian dessert.

#16 Amaretti Cookies

A biscuit with an undesirable taste.

#17 Pastiera Napoletana Recipe

Photo: Nonna Box

Typical Neapolitan traditional cake, a real treat.

#18 Tuscan Apple Cake 

Photo: Food And Journeys

#19 Classic Italian Crostata (Italian Pie)

Photo: An Italian In My Kitchen

#20 Babá

Photo: Mangia Magna

A rum cake that those who have visited Napoli must have tasted.

#22 Italian Mimosa Cake

Photo: An Italian In My Kitchen

It is associated with Women’s Day, but the mimosa cake recipe can really be enjoyed all year round. It’s sweet and delicious filling make it ideal to serve as a dessert.

#23 Torrone

Photo: Nonna Box

This is among the oldest Italian sweets in all it’s pleasant and delicious regional variations. You will be spoilt for choice between the soft or crunchy version, with chocolate, almonds, pistachios or candied fruit.

#24 Italian Apple Strudel with Puff Pastry

Photo: Zozo Baking

A typical Italian dessert of Trentino Alto Adige, it combines fresh and dried fruit and spices in a delightful treasure chest of fragrant puff pastry. Excellent served with cream or vanilla ice cream.

#25 Profitterol

Photo: Mangia Magna

#27 Dark Chocolate, Pistacchio And Cointreau Truffel

Found at Toast Mug

#28 Chocolate Salami 

Photo: Eazy Peazy Desserts

What’s your favorite Italian dessert?

Enjoy!