La Dolce Vita: 10 Irresistible Italian Desserts

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.

Why spend a fortune at a fancy Italian restaurant or bakery when you can make an authentic Italian dessert right in your own kitchen? This list of Italian sweets has got you covered, from classic and crowd-pleasing tiramisu to crunchy biscotti to everything in between. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, these recipes are simple and easy to follow. Why not whip up a delicious Italian meal and finish it off with a homemade dessert everyone will love?

1. Tiramisu

The decadent Italian dessert known as tiramisu, which translates to “pick me up” in Italian, is created by layering espresso-soaked ladyfingers with a luxurious mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and cream. The finished dessert is then topped with cocoa powder and chilled overnight to allow the ladyfingers to soften and the flavors to meld together. Get the recipe for Tiramisu.

2. BISCOTTI

Taking inspiration from the almond biscotti served at the renowned San Francisco Zuni Cafe, these Italian cookies start with an almond-laden dough flavored with both vanilla and almond extracts. The cookies deliver on every front: a rich buttery flavor, a delicate sweetness, and a satisfying crunch. Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee or for dessert, they make for a delicious treat. Get the recipe for Biscotti.

3. RICOTTA CHEESECAKE WITH FRESH RASPBERRIES

Inspired by the “Obsessive Ricotta Cheesecake” in the late Gina DePalma’s Dolce Italiano, Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen, this dessert looks like something you’d see in the window of an Italian pastry shop. Combining cream cheese and ricotta cheese, along with a crust made from ground almonds, this cheesecake recipe blends the best of both American and Italian-style cheesecakes. Get the recipe for Ricotta Cheesecake.

4. CHOCOLATE KISSES (BACI DI CIOCCOLATO)

Another wonderful recipe adapted from the late pastry chef Gina DePalma’s cookbook Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen, these charming sandwich cookies are a twist on Italy’s famous baci di dama (lady’s kisses) cookies, which consist of two bite-sized hazelnut cookies with a decadent chocolate filling. As DePalma explains, “Baci means ‘kisses’ in Italian, and here two chocolate cookies are sandwiched with a kiss of chocolate ganache. It is highly likely that the lucky people who devour them will kiss you for making them.” Get the recipe for Chocolate Kisses.

5. OLIVE OIL CAKE

Don’t be deceived by the humble look of this lemon-scented olive oil cake. Despite its plain appearance, its flavor is spectacular. The oil lends a fruity richness and also helps the cake stays moist for days. Replacing some of the flour with cornmeal takes the recipe up a notch and lends a pleasing texture. It’s wonderful on its own, especially warm from the oven, but pair it with macerated berries or a citrusy fruit salad and it’s even more special. Get the recipe for Olive Oil Cake.

6. Double Chocolate Biscotti

These crunchy biscotti with a double dose of chocolate are a chocoholic’s dream and perfect for dipping into coffee or tea. Unlike packaged biscotti found at many coffee shops that can resemble bricks, these treats are delicately crunchy and a true delight. Get the recipe for Double Chocolate Biscotti.

7. Harvest Grape & Olive Oil Cake

This lovely Italian-style cake is studded with juicy red grapes and flavored with hints of vanilla and citrus. Get the recipe for Harvest Grape & Olive Oil Cake.

8. CHOCOLATE CHIP RICOTTA CAKE

I’ve had the pleasure of baking many cakes over the years, but this chocolate chip ricotta cake, adapted from A Good Bake by Melissa Weller and Carolynn Carreno, is the crème de la crème. The addition of ricotta cheese not only enriches the flavor but also produces an incredibly moist texture. Mini chocolate chips are scattered throughout, pleasing all ages. No doubt about it, this cake is pure greatness. Get the recipe for Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake.

9. Panna Cotta

This panna cotta strikes the perfect balance of simplicity and elegance, featuring a silky vanilla base topped with luscious salted caramel—ideal for a dinner party or an effortless treat any day! Get the recipe for Panna Cotta.

10. Almond Cookies

With their deliciously chewy texture and nutty flavor, these cookies are perfect for holiday cookie platters or a cozy coffee break. Get the recipe for Almond Cookies.