23 Deliciously Easy Italian Dessert Recipes

This list of traditional Italian treats will leave you drooling.

italian dessert recipes ginger lemon tiramisu
Jonny Valiant

If the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Italian recipes is decadent plates of spaghetti and meatballs, thin-crust pizza, or heaping piles of caprese salad, you're probably not alone. Italian appetizers and entree recipes are some of the most beloved in the world. Just think: You can't really go anywhere in the world without there being a pizza and pasta shop around the corner. But Italian desserts deserve some love, too, because they're just as delicious. From classic recipes like coffee-filled tiramisu to slightly lesser-known delicacies like panna cotta and anise cookies, Italian desserts really offer something for everyone.

So next time you're planning a pasta night or a make-your-own-pizza evening, round out the night with one of the below Italian desserts, too. It'll help you explore complementary flavor profiles and give you the excuse to whip up a sweet treat in the kitchen just because. Worried the desserts will be too complicated? Don't be! Most Italian desserts are surprisingly simple to make, and some of these are simply Italian twists on more classic, basic recipes. In other words, no matter what your level of comfort is in the kitchen or baking aisle, these 24 recipes are ones that you can tackle confidently.

italian dessert recipes panna cotta
Gabriel Rodriguez
1 of 24
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Roasted Rhubarb

Panna cotta is a delicious, creamy dessert that is classically Italian. Combining it with toasty, sweet roasted rhubarb gives it a new, modern twist.

Get the Vanilla Panna Cotta with Roasted Rhubarb recipe.

italian dessert recipes italian anise cookies
Kate Sears
2 of 24
Italian Anise Cookies

Put a spin on traditional butter cookies with this Italian favorite that's made with anise extract in the batter as well as in the powdered sugar-based glaze, and topped with crunchy nonpareils.

Get the Italian Anise Cookies recipe.

italian dessert recipes tiramisu
Paula HibleGetty Images
3 of 24
Tiramisu

Tiramisu, the darling of Italian desserts, is always a crowd pleaser. This version speeds things up by alternating layers of premade ladyfingers, coffee liqueur, and ready-made cheesecake filling, which is all finished off with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Get the Tiramisu recipe.

italian dessert recipes almond anise biscottini
Erin Phraner
4 of 24
Almond-Anise Biscottini

These are super simple to make and keep great in the freezer. They taste best dunked in coffee.

Get the Almond-Anise Biscottini recipe.

italian dessert recipes neapolitans
Charles Schiller
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Neapolitans

There's nothing boring about these brilliant-colored cookies, decked in red, green, and brown stripes (flavored with raspberry, almond, and chocolate-vanilla, respectively) and dipped in white chocolate.

Get the Neapolitans recipe.

italian dessert recipes cannoli cake
Steve Giralt
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Cannoli Cake

Hit the kitchen and make this gorgeous four-layer cake inspired by the traditional Italian dessert, cannoli.

Get the Cannoli Cake recipe.

italian dessert recipes neapolitan honey balls
Jonny Valiant
7 of 24
Neapolitan Honey Balls

These deep-fried dough balls are drenched in honey and sprinkled with nonpareils and candied orange peel. The golden brown treats pack more flavor than expected, thanks to orange zest in the mix.

Get the Neapolitan Honey Balls recipe.

italian dessert recipes tiramisu cheesecake
Joff LeeGetty Images
8 of 24
Tiramisu Cheesecake

Two irresistible desserts are combined for one ultimate indulgence.

Get the Tiramisu Cheesecake recipe.

italian dessert recipes strawberry panna cotta
Rita MaasGetty Images
9 of 24
Strawberry Panna Cotta

This strawberry and sugar panna cotta is a delicious gelatin-like treat. Top this dish off with strawberry sauce for extra flavor.

Get the Strawberry Panna Cotta recipe.

italian dessert recipes strawberry cannoli
Jacqueline Hopkins
10 of 24
Strawberry Cannoli

Combine a classic dessert with a popular fruit to create this sweet treat. Just fold the berry and almond extract into the ricotta mixture and pipe the filling into the cones before garnishing.

Get the Strawberry Cannoli recipe.

italian dessert recipes ginger lemon tiramisu
Jonny Valiant
11 of 24
Ginger-Lemon Tiramisu

Ginger and lemon are a match made in culinary heaven in this dessert. Garnish the treat with sugared lemon slices to heighten the presentation.

Get the Ginger-Lemon Tiramisu recipe.

italian dessert recipes pomegranate panna cotta
Chris Court
12 of 24
Pomegranate Panna Cotta

Sprinkle this classic with a fruity favorite.

Get the Pomegranate Panna Cotta recipe.

italian dessert recipes raspberry ricotta fool
John Blais
13 of 24
Raspberry Ricotta Fool

Raspberry isn't the only fruity flavor you'll taste here—orange peel and orange juice complete this treat that's ready in just 20 minutes.

Get the Raspberry Ricotta Fool recipe.

italian dessert recipes matcha panna cotta
Pioneer Woman
14 of 24
Matcha Panna Cotta

You've never had a panna cotta quite like this. Combining maple syrup, matcha tea powder, and heavy cream, this dish is as tasty as it is beautiful.

Get the recipe at The Pioneer Woman.

italian dessert recipes mocha cannoli
The Pioneer Woman
15 of 24
Mocha Cannoli

This chocolate-dipped mocha cannoli will truly make you exclaim, "Holy Cannoli!" From presentation to flavor, this dessert would be a hit at any office party or potluck.

Get the recipe at The Pioneer Woman.

italian dessert recipes tiramisu
The Pioneer Woman
16 of 24
Tiramisu

Crunchy ladyfingers, rich espresso, and delicious mascarpone cheese comes together in this recipe in perfect harmony.

Get the recipe at The Pioneer Woman.

italian dessert recipes italian cream cake balls
Butterlust
17 of 24
Italian Cream Cake Balls

Have some leftover cupcakes at home? "Cake Balls are kind of the perfect solution for extending the life of slightly dried out cupcakes," says blogger Butterlust. Talk about a dessert hack!

Get the recipe at Butterlust.

italian dessert recipes italian ricotta cookies
Love Bakes Good Cakes
18 of 24
Italian Ricotta Cookies

If putting cheese in a cookie sounds a bit odd, don't let this cookie scare you. These treats taste more like sugar cookies, making them oh so yummy.

Get the recipe at Love Bakes Good Cakes.

italian dessert recipes cannoli poke cake
Life, Love and Sugar
19 of 24
Cannoli Poke Cake

Vanilla cake + cannoli cake = INCREDIBLE!

Get the recipe at Life, Love & Sugar.

italian dessert recipes limoncello no bake cheesecake
Bell'alimento
20 of 24
Limoncello No-Bake Cheesecake

The classic Italian drink takes on a new (and extra tasty) life in this pastry. Even better, the recipe has just four steps!

Get the recipe at Bell'alimento.

italian dessert recipes italian cream cupcakes
The Pioneer Woman
21 of 24
Italian Cream Cupcakes

If you're not in the mood for an entire cake, these Italian cream cupcakes are the perfect handheld, bite-sized snack.

Get the recipe at The Pioneer Woman.

italian dessert recipes italian cake
The Pioneer Woman
22 of 24
Italian Cream Cake

This delicious and creamy layer cake is absurdly tasty, featuring a cup of coconut, walnuts, and a decadent cream cheese frosting.

Get the recipe at The Pioneer Woman.

italian dessert recipes italian christmas cookies
The Pioneer Woman
23 of 24
Italian Christmas Cookies

If you love a soft, buttery, cakey cookie, then you'll love these Italian Christmas cookies. The white, green, and red sprinkles are festive, of course, but they're also the colors of the Italian flag.

Get the recipe at the Pioneer Woman.

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