This is a list of Italian desserts and pastries. Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian desserts have been heavily influenced by cuisine from surrounding countries and those that have invaded Italy, such as Greece, Spain, Austria, and France. Italian cuisine is also influenced by the Mediterranean climate and agriculture.
Characteristics
Italy has an extremely diverse range of cuisines, due to the large amount of influences throughout its history. Peaches, lemons, and pears are popular fruits for recipes, as well as sweet cheeses, such as ricotta and mascarpone. Coffee, especially espresso, are integral to Italian culture and cuisine, and is featured frequently in dessert recipes, such as tiramisu. The usage of a cold dairy dessert, such as ice cream or gelato, was introduced to the Western world through Italy.
Italian desserts
A
Name |
Image |
Description |
Affogato |
![GT-Affogato-al-caffe.jpg](/images/thumb/9/9d/GT-Affogato-al-caffe.jpg/120px-GT-Affogato-al-caffe.jpg) |
Espresso served with a scoop of ice cream |
Angel wings |
![Listici.jpg](/images/thumb/c/c4/Listici.jpg/120px-Listici.jpg) |
Fried dough shaped into ribbons and coated in powdered sugar |
B
Name |
Image |
Description |
Barbajada |
![Barbajada.jpg](/images/thumb/c/c9/Barbajada.jpg/120px-Barbajada.jpg) |
Drink made from whipped chocolate, milk, and coffee |
Baxin |
![Baxin.jpg](/images/thumb/9/9a/Baxin.jpg/120px-Baxin.jpg) |
Sweet from Liguira, Italy utilizing anise seeds and flour |
Biscotti |
![Chocolate Drizzled Biscottis.jpg](/images/thumb/3/30/Chocolate_Drizzled_Biscottis.jpg/120px-Chocolate_Drizzled_Biscottis.jpg) |
Italian biscuit, typically filled with nuts or dried fruit, or dipped in chocolate |
Biscuit Tortoni |
![Maple bourbon ice cream (8927728129).jpg](/images/thumb/4/44/Maple_bourbon_ice_cream_%288927728129%29.jpg/120px-Maple_bourbon_ice_cream_%288927728129%29.jpg) |
Ice cream made from eggs and heavy cream, sometimes containing chopped cherries or topped with minced almonds or crumbled macaroons |
Bombolone |
![Bomboloni con marmellata.jpg](/images/thumb/3/38/Bomboloni_con_marmellata.jpg/120px-Bomboloni_con_marmellata.jpg) |
Italian doughnut, filled with typically chocolate, cream, or jam |
Bruttiboni |
![Brutti ma buoni.JPG](/images/thumb/9/9a/Brutti_ma_buoni.JPG/120px-Brutti_ma_buoni.JPG) |
Biscuit made from almonds or hazelnuts |
Budino |
![Griesmeelpudding met rode bessen saus.jpg](/images/thumb/1/1a/Griesmeelpudding_met_rode_bessen_saus.jpg/120px-Griesmeelpudding_met_rode_bessen_saus.jpg) |
Pudding made from milk and egg custard, typically topped with a crust or whipped-cream topping |
C
Name |
Image |
Description |
Camporelli |
![Biscotti Camporelli.jpg](/images/thumb/4/4f/Biscotti_Camporelli.jpg/120px-Biscotti_Camporelli.jpg) |
Ladyfinger-like biscuits made from sugar, flour, and eggs |
Cannoli |
![Cannoli from Brocato's New Orleans 01.jpg](/images/thumb/2/21/Cannoli_from_Brocato%27s_New_Orleans_01.jpg/120px-Cannoli_from_Brocato%27s_New_Orleans_01.jpg) |
Rolled, crispy dough filled with ricotta cream |
Cartocci |
![Kannoli Marsaxlokk Street Market.jpg](/images/thumb/1/1f/Kannoli_Marsaxlokk_Street_Market.jpg/120px-Kannoli_Marsaxlokk_Street_Market.jpg) |
Filled fried dough pastry |
Cassata |
![Cassata siciliana.jpg](/images/thumb/a/a6/Cassata_siciliana.jpg/120px-Cassata_siciliana.jpg) |
Round sponge cake moistened with fruit juice |
Cavallucci |
![Cavallucci (24190614015).jpg](/images/thumb/9/9b/Cavallucci_%2824190614015%29.jpg/120px-Cavallucci_%2824190614015%29.jpg) |
Pastry made with anise, walnuts, candied fruits, coriander, and flour |
Ciambella |
![Ciambella all'Arancia.jpg](/images/thumb/5/5f/Ciambella_all%27Arancia.jpg/120px-Ciambella_all%27Arancia.jpg) |
Ring-shaped cake made using flour, milk, sugar, and vanilla flavoring |
Colomba di Pasqua |
![Colomba pasquale, edizione 2013 - ND0 4662 (8564331585).jpg](/images/thumb/e/ee/Colomba_pasquale%2C_edizione_2013_-_ND0_4662_%288564331585%29.jpg/120px-Colomba_pasquale%2C_edizione_2013_-_ND0_4662_%288564331585%29.jpg) |
|
Confetti |
![La-Pone-Jordan-Almonds.jpg](/images/thumb/e/eb/La-Pone-Jordan-Almonds.jpg/120px-La-Pone-Jordan-Almonds.jpg) |
Almonds covered in dyed, sugar coating |
Crocetta of Caltanissetta |
![Crocette di Caltanissetta.jpg](/images/thumb/0/03/Crocette_di_Caltanissetta.jpg/120px-Crocette_di_Caltanissetta.jpg) |
Sweet pastry made from almonds, sugar, sweet lemon purée, oranges or other fruit, pistachio and icing sugar |
Crostata |
![Crostata limone e zenzero 3.jpg](/images/thumb/2/24/Crostata_limone_e_zenzero_3.jpg/120px-Crostata_limone_e_zenzero_3.jpg) |
Baked tart or pie, hailing from Naples |
Cucidati |
![Cuccidatti fig cookie.jpeg](/images/thumb/e/ef/Cuccidatti_fig_cookie.jpeg/120px-Cuccidatti_fig_cookie.jpeg) |
Fig cookie with vanilla icing |
Cupeta |
![Cupeta fresca.jpg](/images/thumb/0/0a/Cupeta_fresca.jpg/120px-Cupeta_fresca.jpg) |
Dessert made from honey, dissolved sugar and diced almonds |
F
G
Name |
Image |
Description |
Gelato |
![Gelato ice cream.jpg](/images/thumb/d/d6/Gelato_ice_cream.jpg/120px-Gelato_ice_cream.jpg) |
Italian dessert similar to ice cream, thicker in consistency |
Genoise |
![Génoise cake with buttercream frosting.jpg](/images/thumb/f/f8/G%C3%A9noise_cake_with_buttercream_frosting.jpg/120px-G%C3%A9noise_cake_with_buttercream_frosting.jpg) |
Sponge cake made with melted butter whipped into the dough |
Gianduja (chocolate) |
![Nougat stange aus jeibmann 150dpi.jpg](/images/thumb/6/61/Nougat_stange_aus_jeibmann_150dpi.jpg/120px-Nougat_stange_aus_jeibmann_150dpi.jpg) |
Chocolate made from hazelnut cream |
Gianduiotto |
![Gianduiotti.jpg](/images/thumb/b/b9/Gianduiotti.jpg/120px-Gianduiotti.jpg) |
Chocolate made from sugar, cocoa, and hazelnuts |
Granita |
![Tris di granite.JPG](/images/thumb/d/dc/Tris_di_granite.JPG/120px-Tris_di_granite.JPG) |
Italian ice dessert made from sugar, water and various flavorings |
L
M
Name |
Image |
Description |
Marron glacé |
![Marrons glacés.jpg](/images/thumb/5/56/Marrons_glac%C3%A9s.jpg/120px-Marrons_glac%C3%A9s.jpg) |
Chestnuts candied in sugar syrup |
Marzipan |
![Badem ezmesi 2.JPG](/images/thumb/b/b5/Badem_ezmesi_2.JPG/120px-Badem_ezmesi_2.JPG) |
Confection consisting primarily of sugar, honey, and almond meal |
Mimosa cake |
![Le nostre torte (8937128050).jpg](/images/thumb/6/67/Le_nostre_torte_%288937128050%29.jpg/120px-Le_nostre_torte_%288937128050%29.jpg) |
Moist champagne sponge cake with a buttercream frosting |
Mustacciuoli |
![Mostaccioli dalla campania.jpg](/images/thumb/e/ec/Mostaccioli_dalla_campania.jpg/120px-Mostaccioli_dalla_campania.jpg) |
Pastry with a spiced, cake-like interior, covered in chocolate |
N
Name |
Image |
Description |
Neapolitan ice cream |
![Neapolitan.jpg](/images/thumb/4/43/Neapolitan.jpg/120px-Neapolitan.jpg) |
Ice cream featuring three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry |
Nocciolini di Canzo |
![Nocciolini canzo.jpg](/images/thumb/9/9a/Nocciolini_canzo.jpg/120px-Nocciolini_canzo.jpg) |
Sweet crumbly small cookies from Canzo, in northern Italy |
Nutella |
![Nutella ak.jpg](/images/thumb/9/9b/Nutella_ak.jpg/120px-Nutella_ak.jpg) |
Sweetened hazelnut spread |
P
Name |
Image |
Description |
Pandoro |
![Pandoro 3.jpg](/images/thumb/e/ed/Pandoro_3.jpg/120px-Pandoro_3.jpg) |
Traditional Italian sweet bread in a star-like formation |
Panettone |
![Panettone - Nicolettone 2017 - IMG 7085 (31752542285).jpg](/images/thumb/e/e6/Panettone_-_Nicolettone_2017_-_IMG_7085_%2831752542285%29.jpg/120px-Panettone_-_Nicolettone_2017_-_IMG_7085_%2831752542285%29.jpg) |
Sweet bread featuring dried fruits and chocolate |
Panforte |
![Panforte, Firenze.jpg](/images/thumb/8/85/Panforte%2C_Firenze.jpg/120px-Panforte%2C_Firenze.jpg) |
Chewy Italian dessert containing fruits and nuts |
Panna cotta |
![Panna Cotta with caramel sauce.jpg](/images/thumb/7/75/Panna_Cotta_with_caramel_sauce.jpg/120px-Panna_Cotta_with_caramel_sauce.jpg) |
Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and molded |
Panpepato |
![Panpepato at a shop in San Gimignano.jpg](/images/thumb/5/57/Panpepato_at_a_shop_in_San_Gimignano.jpg/120px-Panpepato_at_a_shop_in_San_Gimignano.jpg) |
Round sweet bread with nuts and dried fruit |
Pasticciotto |
![Pasticciotto galatina.jpg](/images/thumb/5/52/Pasticciotto_galatina.jpg/120px-Pasticciotto_galatina.jpg) |
Italian pastry filled with ricotta cheese and egg custard |
Pastiera |
![Pastiera Napoletana.JPG](/images/thumb/0/04/Pastiera_Napoletana.JPG/120px-Pastiera_Napoletana.JPG) |
Neapolitan tart made with cooked wheat, eggs, ricotta cheese, and flavoured with orange flower water |
Penuche |
![San Francisco Chocolate Store Chocolate Vanilla Fudge (27435934310).jpg](/images/thumb/9/9f/San_Francisco_Chocolate_Store_Chocolate_Vanilla_Fudge_%2827435934310%29.jpg/120px-San_Francisco_Chocolate_Store_Chocolate_Vanilla_Fudge_%2827435934310%29.jpg) |
Fudge-like candy made from brown sugar, butter, and milk |
Pignolata |
![Pignolata calabrese.jpg](/images/thumb/1/16/Pignolata_calabrese.jpg/120px-Pignolata_calabrese.jpg) |
Soft pastry, covered in chocolate and lemon-flavoured syrup or icing |
Pinza |
![Macafame.jpg](/images/thumb/6/65/Macafame.jpg/120px-Macafame.jpg) |
Traditional dessert flan with pine nuts, dried figs, raisins, fennel seeds and grappa |
Pinza bolognese |
![Pinza Mostarda Bolognese.png](/images/thumb/a/aa/Pinza_Mostarda_Bolognese.png/120px-Pinza_Mostarda_Bolognese.png) |
Jam-filled pastry |
R
Name |
Image |
Description |
Rainbow cookie |
![Rainbow cookies .jpg](/images/thumb/f/fa/Rainbow_cookies_.jpg/120px-Rainbow_cookies_.jpg) |
Three-layered almond-flavored Italian cookie |
Ricciarelli |
![Ricciarelli from Siena-2.jpg](/images/thumb/9/97/Ricciarelli_from_Siena-2.jpg/120px-Ricciarelli_from_Siena-2.jpg) |
Traditional Italian biscuits – specifically, a type of macaroon |
S
Name |
Image |
Description |
Sanguinaccio dolce |
![Preparation gateau roule4.jpg](/images/thumb/a/a2/Preparation_gateau_roule4.jpg/120px-Preparation_gateau_roule4.jpg) |
Italian pudding made from pig's blood which is made creamy and sweetened with ingredients such as chocolate, milk, pine nuts, and raisins |
Semifreddo |
![Semifreddo dessert.jpg](/images/thumb/c/c3/Semifreddo_dessert.jpg/120px-Semifreddo_dessert.jpg) |
Frozen dessert similar to ice cream, with the main ingredients being egg yolks, sugar, and cream. |
Sfinge |
![Sfenj sprinkled with sugar and served on a plate.jpg](/images/thumb/5/52/Sfenj_sprinkled_with_sugar_and_served_on_a_plate.jpg/120px-Sfenj_sprinkled_with_sugar_and_served_on_a_plate.jpg) |
Doughnut sprinkled with powdered sugar |
Sfogliatella |
![Sfogliatelle on plate.jpg](/images/thumb/b/ba/Sfogliatelle_on_plate.jpg/120px-Sfogliatelle_on_plate.jpg) |
Shell-shaped cream-filled Italian pastry originating from Campania |
Spumoni |
![Spumoni salentini.jpg](/images/thumb/a/a4/Spumoni_salentini.jpg/120px-Spumoni_salentini.jpg) |
Molded gelato made with layers of different colors and flavors, usually containing candied fruits and nuts |
Struffoli |
![Struffoli.JPG](/images/thumb/3/31/Struffoli.JPG/120px-Struffoli.JPG) |
Neapolitan dish made of deep fried balls of sweet dough |
Sugoli |
![Sûg.jpg](/images/thumb/3/30/S%C3%BBg.jpg/120px-S%C3%BBg.jpg) |
Dessert pudding prepared with the must of red grapes, flour and sugar, cooked slowly and then left to cool |
T
Name |
Image |
Description |
Taralli |
![Taralli.jpg](/images/thumb/6/68/Taralli.jpg/120px-Taralli.jpg) |
Cracker similar to a breadstick--can be sweet or savory |
Tartufo |
![Italian tartufo with rolled chocolate sticks.jpg](/images/thumb/d/d9/Italian_tartufo_with_rolled_chocolate_sticks.jpg/120px-Italian_tartufo_with_rolled_chocolate_sticks.jpg) |
Gelato covered and filled with melted chocolate |
Tiramisu |
![Classic Italian Tiramisu-3 (29989504485).jpg](/images/thumb/e/e7/Classic_Italian_Tiramisu-3_%2829989504485%29.jpg/120px-Classic_Italian_Tiramisu-3_%2829989504485%29.jpg) |
Dessert made of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavoured with cocoa |
Torrone |
![Turrón de Alicante (Casa Mira).jpg](/images/thumb/5/5b/Turr%C3%B3n_de_Alicante_%28Casa_Mira%29.jpg/120px-Turr%C3%B3n_de_Alicante_%28Casa_Mira%29.jpg) |
Nougat made with honey, sugar, and whipped egg whites, then filled with roasted pistachios and almonds |
Torta Barozzi |
![Torta Barozzi.jpg](/images/thumb/2/2f/Torta_Barozzi.jpg/120px-Torta_Barozzi.jpg) |
Thin, crispy cake made from chocolate and coffee |
Torta caprese |
![Torta caprese with confectioner's sugar and chocolate sauce (7830104492).jpg](/images/thumb/9/94/Torta_caprese_with_confectioner%27s_sugar_and_chocolate_sauce_%287830104492%29.jpg/120px-Torta_caprese_with_confectioner%27s_sugar_and_chocolate_sauce_%287830104492%29.jpg) |
Italian cake made with chocolate and either almonds or hazelnuts |
Torta della nonna |
|
Italian sweet pastry cake filled with vanilla-flavored custard and covered with pine nuts and confectioner's sugar. |
Torta alla Monferrina |
![Canadian Apple Cake, Ehrenbach.jpg](/images/thumb/a/a5/Canadian_Apple_Cake%2C_Ehrenbach.jpg/120px-Canadian_Apple_Cake%2C_Ehrenbach.jpg) |
Cake made from pumpkin, or apples and sugar, with amaretti, chocolate, eggs, and rum |
Torta delle rose |
![Rose's cake.JPG](/images/thumb/5/55/Rose%27s_cake.JPG/120px-Rose%27s_cake.JPG) |
Cake made with leavened dough rich in butter and sugar, which is rolled up and placed in the baking tin, taking the characteristic shape of a basket of rosebuds |
Torta setteveli |
![Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte für Hochzeiten.jpg](/images/thumb/b/b8/Schwarzw%C3%A4lder_Kirschtorte_f%C3%BCr_Hochzeiten.jpg/120px-Schwarzw%C3%A4lder_Kirschtorte_f%C3%BCr_Hochzeiten.jpg) |
Chocolate cake with seven layers of hazelnut cream, hazelnut crunch, chocolate mousse, and a glaze |
Torta Tre Monti |
|
Dessert consisting of thin waffle slices with interwoven layers of cream, then covered in chocolate |
U
Name |
Image |
Description |
Uovo sbattuto |
![L'uovo Sbattuto con cafe.jpg](/images/thumb/9/9d/L%27uovo_Sbattuto_con_cafe.jpg/120px-L%27uovo_Sbattuto_con_cafe.jpg) |
Beverage that consists of egg yolk and sugar |
Z
Name |
Image |
Description |
Zabaione |
![Marsala sabayon with cookie and local stone fruit.jpg](/images/thumb/7/74/Marsala_sabayon_with_cookie_and_local_stone_fruit.jpg/120px-Marsala_sabayon_with_cookie_and_local_stone_fruit.jpg) |
Dessert beverage made with egg yolks, sugar, and a sweet wine |
Zeppole |
![Zeppole (5906312247).jpg](/images/thumb/3/33/Zeppole_%285906312247%29.jpg/120px-Zeppole_%285906312247%29.jpg) |
Fried dough dessert with powdered sugar |
Zuccotto |
![Zuccotto gelato.jpg](/images/thumb/1/14/Zuccotto_gelato.jpg/120px-Zuccotto_gelato.jpg) |
Semi-frozen, chilled dessert made with alchermes liqueur, cake and ice cream |
Zuppa Inglese |
![3 Zuppa inglese.jpg](/images/thumb/6/6d/3_Zuppa_inglese.jpg/120px-3_Zuppa_inglese.jpg) |
Italian dessert layering custard and sponge cake |
Zelten |
![Traditional English Fruitcake.jpg](/images/thumb/0/03/Traditional_English_Fruitcake.jpg/120px-Traditional_English_Fruitcake.jpg) |
Traditional Italian fruitcake served during Christmas |
Italian pastries
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Sfogliatelle are shell-shaped filled pastries native to Italian cuisine.
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Zeppole is a pastry consisting of a deep-fried dough ball that is dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with various sweets.
See also