35 Nonna-Approved Italian Dessert Recipes

35 Nonna-Approved Italian Dessert Recipes

Read Time: 11 mins

35 Nonna-Approved Italian Dessert Recipes2/35 Lemon Anise Biscotti 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With the growing popularity of gourmet coffees, cappuccino and espresso, I’m finding lots of people enjoy these classic Italian lemon biscotti. —Carrie Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin 3/35 Quick and Easy Tiramisu 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Tiramisu Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No one can resist this quick and easy tiramisu recipe. Make it ahead for

added mealtime convenience

added mealtime convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Check out these other desserts from around the world! 4/35 No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cannoli Cheesecake 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this cannoli cheesecake in the summer for a flavorful and refreshing treat. I love the added bonus of not having to turn on the oven in hot weather. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York 5/35 Nonni’s Fritole 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Nonni’s Fritole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

55 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

55 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My Italian grandmother was famous for her fritole and made these treats for her family and friends. Years later we found her recipe card, but we tried making them without success. We finally figured out the missing part of the recipe—the self-rising flour! Now we can have these as often as we like. This is one of many Italian dessert recipes that bring back wonderful memorys of my nonna. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington 6/35 Old-World Ricotta Cheesecake 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Old-World Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I reconstructed this dessert based on an old recipe that had been in the family for years but was never written down. The subtle cinnamon flavor of the zwieback crust reminds me of the cheesecake I enjoyed as a child, but substitute other crumbs if you like. —Mary Beth Jung, Hendersonville, North Carolina 7/35 Affogato 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 5 min Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Affogato, which is espresso and ice cream mixed

together, is awesome

together, is awesome. It’s so easy to make at home; just get the espresso maker ready! —Cathy Killinger Lopez, Charlotte, North Carolina 8/35 Italian Wedding Cookies 54 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings about 7 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations.

Sometimes the best-loved recipes are the most basic

—Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York 9/35 Amaretto Cheesecake 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Amaretto Cheesecake Recipe photo by Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sometimes the best-loved recipes are the most basic. Just ask my family who raves over this classic amaretto cheesecake. It’s rich, creamy and versatile to boot! —Barbara Caine, Sussex, New Jersey 10/35 Tangerine Chocolate Semifreddo Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When

Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice

I wanted a new frozen treat for my family, I came up with this citrusy, chocolaty version of classic Italian semifreddo. For an elegant presentation on special occasions, top each serving with whipped cream, a tangerine section and baking cocoa. —Claire Cruce, Atlanta, Georgia 11/35 Limoncello Cream Pie 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After a big Christmas dinner, we love the cool refreshment of a frozen lemon pie. Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine 12/35

By the way, no one will know they’re gluten free unless you tell them!

Italian Orange-Fig Cookies 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of the first holiday cookies I made when I found out I could no longer eat gluten. In those eight years, six of my family members and friends have also had to give up gluten, so these delicious Italian cookies have now become a treasured holiday tradition for all of us. By the way, no one will know they’re gluten free unless you tell them! The cookies last for weeks if stored in a

This creamy cheesecake was one of the best Italian dessert recipes I received

dry place. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 13/35 Ricotta Cheesecake 1 Review Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was a nurse, my co-workers and I regularly swapped recipes during lunch breaks. This creamy cheesecake was one of the best Italian dessert recipes I received. —Georgiann Franklin, Canfield, Ohio 14/35 Cannoli Cake 74 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved The Best Cannoli Cake Recipe Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 12 servings

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender vanilla layers of this rich cake, which starts with a package mix. It’s best when served well chilled.—Antoinette Owens, Ridgefield, Connecticut 15/35 Chocolate Fruit N Nut Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Fruit N Nut Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Filled with fruit, nuts, chocolate and loads of flavor, these traditional Italian treats hit the spot. We enjoy them at Christmas with a hot beverage. 16/35 Chocolate

No list of Italian dessert recipes is complete without cannoli

Cannoli 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Cannoli Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 1dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No list of Italian dessert recipes is complete without cannoli. Our version features a creamy filling dotted with chocolate chunks. The chopped pistachios are an attractive touch.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen 17/35 Chocolate Amaretti 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Amaretti Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These classic almond paste cookies are like ones you’d find in an

Italian bakery

Italian bakery. My husband and children are always excited when I include these goodies in my holiday baking lineup. —Kathy Long, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 18/35 Italian Rainbow Cookies 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 11 dozen Go to Recipe 19/35 Italian Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake Pie 3 Reviews Italian Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first prepared an Italian-style cheese pie years ago. When I added a chocolate-hazelnut topping, it

My neighbors always look forward to them!

proved so popular that I had to give out copies of the recipe.—Steve Meredith, Streamwood, Illinois 20/35 Chocolate Biscotti 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Biscotti Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These white chocolate-drizzled cookies are a cinch to make, so I’m happy to whip up a batch any time. My neighbors always look forward to them! —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa 21/35 Lemon Gelato 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon Gelato Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time

My favorite choice was lemon because Italian lemons have an intense flavor

50 min Servings 1-1/2 quarts Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On a recent trip to Italy, I became addicted to gelato. My favorite choice was lemon because Italian lemons have an intense flavor. This recipe brings back memories of our vacation. —Gail Wang, Troy, Michigan 22/35 Italian Cream Cake 33 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Cream Cake Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on

this recipe year-round

this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri 23/35 Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everything about this dessert, from the pretty presentation to its silky smooth texture, says “special.” Rich chocolate is accented by the flavor of sweet, ripe berries perfectly. —Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut 24/35 Pignoli Cookies 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cookies are the crown jewels of Italian confections. I can’t

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  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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