Italian desserts are probably the best suited when it comes to Summer desserts. They tend to be on the lighter side, focusing on fresh and simple flavors that will surely satisfy. We have compiled a combination of Italian classics alongside some new Italian treats you have to try! Whether cakes, cookies or confections are your favorite, we have a recipe that will surely impress!
Italian Paradise Cake
This Italian Paradise Cake is the perfect combination of buttery flavor and citrusy brightness. The crumb is super tender and moist from the combination of flour and potato starch.
Get Recipe: Italian Paradise Cake
Italian Butter Cookies
These Italian Butter Cookies are super addictive and make an amazingly versatile snack or dessert. The dough is perfectly crisp and melts away as soon as it hits your mouth. They taste fantastic on their own but are perfect vehicles for jam, like Italian thumbprint cookies.
Get Recipe: Italian Butter Cookies
Cannoli
Cannolis are perhaps the most recognized Italian dessert around. Crunchy homemade cannoli shells are filled with a decadent and creamy sweet ricotta filling. They are then topped with whichever classic you prefer, chocolate chips and pistachios are the most popular options!
Get Recipe: Cannoli
Bomboloni
Bombolonis are just like custard-filled donuts and will make you feel like an accomplished baker in no time! The yeast-raised dough pairs perfectly with the velvety vanilla pastry cream. Everything is made completely from scratch, creating a flavor that truly can’t be beaten.
Get Recipe: Bomboloni
Affogato
Affogato is the Italian word for drowned and fits perfectly with this dessert consisting of vanilla ice cream “drowned” in espresso. It’s a perfect dessert drink for a hot Summer day. Like a caffeinated coffee float, this Affogato is sure to be a hit!
Get Recipe: Affogato
Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake
This Italian Mascarpone Cake is the perfect Summer cake made especially for a lemon lover! A soft and moist vanilla cake sandwiches a delicate and bright lemon mascarpone filling. The whole cake is iced in a lemon whipped cream and lemon cookies, making the whole cake an explosion of sunshine!
Get Recipe: Italian Lemon Mascarpone Cake
Amaretti Cookies
These Amaretti Cookies are soft, chewy, and delicious—and they’re naturally gluten-free! Almond flour and extract give the cookies a nutty flavor. They’re the perfect holiday cookie the whole family will love!
Get Recipe: Amaretti Cookies
Tiramisu
This Tiramisu is as authentic as they come. It features espresso-dipped ladyfingers, a mascarpone cream sauce, and rich cocoa. The result is a light, refreshing coffee-flavored dessert from Treviso, Italy!
Get Recipe: Tiramisu
Maritozzi
A slightly sweet and citrusy bun is filled with light whipped cream for a super popular Roman treat. Everything is made completely from scratch, giving a sense of accomplishment and fun. The flavors are nice and light, perfect for a warm Summer day!
Get Recipe: Maritozzi
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies
These Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies are like pillowy clouds of almond and vanilla flavor. They are extra moist and soft thanks to the addition of ricotta, which also gives a subtle creamy flavor. They are topped with a zingy lemon glaze for the icing on the cookies!
Get Recipe: Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Limoncello Panna Cotta
This Limoncello Panna Cotta is a fully no-bake dessert of bright summery flavors! The panna cotta is flavored with limoncello and lemon for a bright flavor, pairing perfectly with the fresh berries. The dessert is velvety, smooth, and addictive as can be!
Get Recipe: Limoncello Panna Cotta
Anise Pizzelle
Anise Pizzelle are crispy wafers of delicious waffles and fragrant anise extract. The recipe is super simple to follow and requires a pizzelle press. But the result is divine-looking crisp cookies that taste just as good as they look!
Get Recipe: Anise Pizzelle
Zuppa Inglese
Zuppa Inglese, or Italian Trifle, is an exciting, enchanting, layered dessert full of diverse flavors and textures. Chocolate and vanilla pastry cream are layered with Alchermes-dipped ladyfingers. It’s a fantastic dish full of holiday spices and citrus flavors melding with classic chocolate and vanilla!
Get Recipe: Zuppa Inglese
Torta Di Ricotta
This Torta Di Ricotta is like a pie and a cheesecake combined! The delicious crust encapsulates a fluffy ricotta filling that is speckled with pine nut brittle and rum-soaked raisins. The whole thing is a textural wonderland filled with a myriad of perfectly paired flavors!
Get Recipe: Torta Di Ricotta
Zeppole
Mashed potatoes are worked into a delicious dough and speckled with black raisins. The yeasted dough is allowed to rise, then shaped into dainty balls, and then fried. They are coated in powdered sugar and served up as bite-sized pillows of perfection!
Get Recipe: Zeppole
Italian Olive Oil Cake
This Italian Olive Oil Cake is perfect for anyone who prefers a less sweet dessert. The dessert is still perfectly sweet and full of citrusy flavor that melds perfectly with the olive oil. The cake is super light and moist as can be, a fantastic addition to your Summer dessert recipes!
Get Recipe: Italian Olive Oil Cake
Torrone
Torrone, or Italian Nut and Nougat Candy, is an almost fudge-like confection filled with crunchy nuts and light lemon flavor. The recipe is super straightforward to follow and just takes some extra time. Torrone makes a perfect holiday gift to distribute!
Get Recipe: Torrone
