A Taste of La Dolce Vita: Sweet Treats to Enjoy in Italy CheapOair Staff March 1, 2012 Food & Drink, Interests 1 Comment This post was last updated on August 15, 2023 Italy is known for being the home of bountiful pasta, succulent seafood, and other carb-o-licious treats. But don’t forget to save room for dessert! Some of the world’s most treasured sweet treats originate from different parts of Italy. Some treats may be specific to particular holidays, while others can be enjoyed year round no matter when you plan to visit Italy. Tutti mangiano! Gelato Gelato started hitting the American a while ago, but Italians have been eating this frozen treat since Ancient Rome. Back then, it was made from snow and ice from the mountain tops. Gelato translates to “ice cream” in Italian, but there is something about gelato that tastes so much better than regular ice cream. It could be the lightness of the butter and sugar used in the recipe. The flavors range from fruit gelatos to tiramisu, another well-known Italian dessert. Panettone You’ll spot this dessert in most Italian households during Christmas and New Year’s, and for a good reason. Panettone is a sweet bread loaf that originates from the high fashion city of Milan. Many legends tell the story of why Panettone originates from there, including one myth that a nobleman from Milan tried to win the heart of a baker named Toni. He created this sweet bread and namds it “Pane di Toni” (“Bread of Toni”). Wherever it comes from, we know today it is absolutely delicious with a fresh cup of cappuccino by the Christmas fire. Tiramisu Lovely in name and taste, tiramisu translates to “pick me up,” which this luscious dessert truly does. Composed of lady fingers, mascarpone, liquor, and cocoa, tiramisu is one of the most popular desserts in Italy. Some call it heaven in their mouth or “the sweetest treat that none can beat,” and for good reason. The soft layering of ingredients just blend so well and the taste is divine! Cannoli Cannoli is a beloved Italian dessert that traces its origins to Sicily, where its history dates back centuries. The word “cannolo” means “little tube” in Italian, aptly describing its characteristic shape. Initially a seasonal treat enjoyed during Carnevale, cannoli gained prominence due to the Arab influence on Sicilian cuisine, combining ingredients like ricotta, sugar, and citrus within a crispy fried shell. As Italians migrated, cannoli became synonymous with Italian-American culture, particularly in New York City. Its popularity endures due to a blend of factors: its delightful blend of textures, the indulgent contrast of sweet and creamy fillings with a crunchy shell, and its connection to heritage and tradition. Modern variations incorporate diverse fillings and creative garnishes, ensuring its continued appeal to both nostalgic patrons and those discovering its magic for the first time. Pignolata Take carbs, mix them with sweets, and you’ve got perfection in a plate. We can thank the Sicilians for pignolata, fried dough slathered in caramelized honey. They are perfect little bite sized treats with a rich taste and a rich history. Pignolata were originally made for Fat Tuesday, the day before the Lenten fast begins. The modern day version is topped off with rainbow sprinkles to make it a fun eye appealing treat for kids. You may also like: Important Phrases You Should Know Before Visiting Italy Sfogliatelle This Italian pastry may be hard to pronounce, but only because once it’s in your mouth you’ll be saying nothing but “Mmm.” All jokes aside, sfogliatelle is an 18th century pastry that originated from a monastery in Salerno, Italy. Its artistic appeal is its strange shape and layered crusty shell. To get this layered effect, bakers must stretch the dough long enough to then roll it accordingly to create the folds in the final pastry. The sfogliatelle are then filled with ricotta or French cream mixed with a fruity filling. Spumoni Lastly, the spumoni is a layered gelato that has become really popular in countries like the U.S. thanks to its light consistence (spuma means “foam” in Italian). What makes this colorful treat stand out from other desserts is that it usually contains a layer with pieces of fruits and nuts among the ice cream scoops — chocolate, pistachio, and vanilla are the most typical flavors. Add whipped cream and the literal cherry on top and it’s spumoni for the win everywhere its served! Did we leave off your favorite Italian sweet treat? Tell us about it in the comments below!
