10 Italian sweet treats you’ll want to know
Italy: the country bursting with delicious pasta and pizza. But besides these popular savory classics, Italians also have a serious sweet tooth. They conquered the world with their tiramisu, cannoli and panna cotta. But these Italian desserts also make our mouths water. Do you know them all?
Bombolone
A fluffy doughnut filled with custard, chocolate or jam and rolled in sugar: that’s a Bombolone. Unlike the doughnut as we know it, a Bombolone has no hole in the middle, which makes it easier to fill—and gives us an extra bite of doughnut!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD3Y95SjrCX/
Panettone
When you’re talking about a true Italian Christmas classic, you’re talking about Panettone. Panettone is a bread filled with dried fruit and nuts and is often eaten only around the holidays. In the afternoon (no cappuccino after eleven!) with a cup of coffee, or in the evening as dessert with a glass of Italian dessert wine.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTScb7F90S/
Torta Della Nonna
Torta Della Nonna, or grandmother’s cake, has been made in Italy for centuries. The cake is sweet and consists of buttery pastry filled with ricotta and vanilla custard, and is easy to recognize by the pine nuts on top.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEcq3Zjs7q/
Zeppole
Just like Bombolone, Zeppole is made from light, fried dough. The difference? Italians make Zeppole from choux pastry. This means you can also finish baking this sweet treat in the oven instead of frying it. Sometimes Zeppole are simply dusted with powdered sugar, but you’ll also often find them filled with cream.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDzPqiEFxdF/
Semifreddo
Semifreddo literally means half-frozen. It refers to partially frozen ice cream, which gives Semifreddo a mousse-like texture. Semifreddo is basically made with eggs, sugar and whipped cream, with all kinds of other flavors, such as red fruit, added to it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_sNHQozzn/
Zabaglione (or Zabaione)
Italy’s most famous mousse is Zabaglione. Zabaglione is incredibly easy to make by whisking sugar, egg yolks and Marsala, amaretto or limoncello until light and airy over a bain-marie. It’s delicious for dipping ladyfingers or pieces of leftover toasted panettone into.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDyg-H_Fnuq/
Torta Caprese
When you hear caprese, you probably think of the green, white and red salad of tomato, mozzarella and basil rather than cake. But Torta Caprese, which originates from the island of Capri, really is a sweet cake made with chocolate and almond flour. Because it contains almond flour, Torta Caprese is also safe to eat for people with a gluten allergy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UZDDeoHbL/
Struffoli
Struffoli is the Italian version of our oliebollen (without raisins). This Neapolitan dessert is made from sweet dough rolled into marble-sized balls and then deep-fried. As soon as the balls come out of the hot oil, they are covered in honey—and that’s why Struffoli are also called ‘honey balls’.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fgRg7H1R_/
Sfogliatella
Sfogliatella is Italy’s answer to the croissant. Sfogliatella can be recognized from a mile away by its shell-like shape. In Italy, you’ll find two types of Sfogliatella: riccia and frolla. Riccia is the crisp variety with dozens of layers of pastry; frolla has a smooth top and a somewhat softer texture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCVqmZQpjg8/
Baba
A sweet little cake soaked in a boozy syrup: that’s a true Baba. Baba is best compared to a sponge-like brioche. The syrup is usually made with rum, but these little bombs are also incredibly delicious with limoncello.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wYWrlIM0N/
Read also:
