3 Most Loved Italian Desserts

Il Dolce Far Niente - The Sweetness of Doing Nothing. The term is often associated with Italian cuisine, especially desserts. This concept talks about taking time to savour and enjoy the moment. And, hey! What better way than indulging in some dolce, right?

We’re sure when you hear ‘Italian Desserts’, only one image comes to your mind - a spoon digging through the rich, creamy layers of a decadent Tiramisu. Well it's the case for most people and rightfully so! Amongst other delizoso Italian desserts from Gelato to Cannoli and Panna Cotta, a Tiramisu does manage to stand out for its flavours, textures and uniquely Italian ingredients. Already craving one? Well, that's the charm of a Tiramisu, which definitely is on top on our list of famous Italian desserts. Read on to know why and more about other Italian desserts that you can’t miss out on, especially if you want to experience a sweet Italian love affair. 

1. Enjoy the Decadence of a Tiramisu

Tiramisu means "pick me up" in Italian, which is quite fitting for this dessert as it definitely does the job! With a wonderful kick from coffee and the richness of cocoa powder, - this Italian classic has the two ingredients that Italians have always loved.

The origins of Tiramisu can be vaguely traced back to the Veneto region of Italy in the 1960s or 70s. The very first classic Italian Tiramisu was made without eggs, alcohol, or cream but these were later added to the recipe to enhance its flavour and give the dessert its desired texture.

Today, the most loved and popular recipe for Tiramisu is made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers or Savoiardi biscuits and a creamy mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and cocoa powder.

Our Tiramisu uses exactly these ingredients to recreate the most authentic Italian version we possibly could. We use a recipe that has been perfected over the years and it includes soaking Italian Savoiardi biscuits overnight in espresso before layering them with whipped mascarpone cheese and a generous dusting of cocoa powder. The final result is a moist, indulgent tiramisu where each layer is like a revelation of flavours and textures for your tastebuds.

Order at your own risk, because we know that one tub just won't be enough. You can order our Tiramisu combo to satisfy your dessert cravings all at once.

2. Dive into the richness of a Chocolate Budino 

Do you ear the slight rhyme in Budino and Pudding? Well, Budino is just Italian for "pudding.” The Chocolate Budino Cake is a delicious Italian chocolate dessert that has a creamy, velvety, and silk-like smooth texture.

Its origin can be traced back to the northern Italian region of Piedmont in the early 1900s. While the recipe has always been a traditional Italian one, Guido Gobino, a renowned chef, who was famous for his delicious chocolate creations, can be given credit for making it more popular around the world in the 1950s. Gobino combined rich chocolate with whipped egg whites and cream to create a light and airy dessert that quickly became popular among the Italian elite and was served as a dessert for special occasions. 

Nowadays, Chocolate Budino is made a day in advance, kept to chill, and served with whipped cream or a sprinkle of sea salt to enhance its flavour when entertaining guests.

Here are some of the most popular variations of Chocolate Budino that you can experiment with, in case you want to give this classic ItalianDessert a little twist. 

• Salted Caramel Chocolate Budino: Add a layer of homemade salted caramel to the bottom of the ramekin before pouring in the chocolate mixture. The combination of sweet and salty flavours is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

• Hazelnut Chocolate Budino: Toasted hazelnuts are added to the chocolate mixture before baking, adding a crunchy texture to the dessert.

• Espresso Chocolate Budino: A shot of espresso is added to the chocolate mixture to give it a rich, bold flavour.

Our traditional creamy Chocolate Budino is what you would call a spoonful of heaven. It is flavoured with a hint of Italian espresso coffee that adds to the boldness of the chocolate, and is perfect to indulge in, especially when you’re having a gloomy day. 

3. Double up the crunch with Italian Biscottis

The word Biscotti actually means "twice cooked" in Italian, which is precisely how these biscuits are made. Italian Biscotti, also known as cantucci, is a traditional Italian Almond Biscuit that has been enjoyed for centuries.

In today’s times, Biscottis are popular all over Italy, but the earliest known recipe dates back to the 13th century in Tuscany. It was originally made as a long-lasting snack for soldiers and travellers, as these cookies were hard and dry and could be stored for long periods of time without going stale.

Like most best things in life, the ingredients for biscotti too really simple. You just need flour, sugar, eggs, and almonds to make the perfect biscotti. Of course you can flavour it with other ingredients from anise to lemon zest. Now for the part that makes a biscotti stand out from a regular cookie or biscuit - the fact that it is twice baked. After the dough is kneaded, it is shaped into a long loaf and baked in the oven. The first baking sets the structure of the loaf and makes it just firm enough to be cut into thinner slices of biscotti, which then find themselves back in to oven - to be baked to crunchy perfection. 

It is during this second baking that the biscotti really transforms to all its glory. The oven is set to a lower temperature and the Biscottis are baked until they are completely dry and crisp. The lack of moisture keeps the shelf life of biscotti longer than your average cookie. 

Biscotti can be made in a variety of flavours, right from chocolate and cherry to cranberry, and pistachio. Different spices and extracts like cinnamon and vanilla can also be used to add flavour to the dough. What do you eat your biscotti with ? Well, literally anything - Biscotti can be dipped in chocolate, dunked into milk, crumbled over gelato, or served alongside coffee or dessert wine. 

To get a taste of what traditional Italian Biscotti is like, you just try our Choco Chunks Biscotti, Tutti Frutti Biscotti, or give your loved ones a gift of this traditional Italian dessert - Nonna’s Festive Biscotti Gift Box. 

If reading all about Italian chocolate desserts has got you enjoying the beautiful feeling of ‘Il Dolce Far Niente’ (The Sweetness of Doing Nothing) while also craving some authentic Italian desserts, you know what to do! If you're in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore, shop your favourite Italian goodies with us and get free delivery on orders above Rs. 500/-

We serve only the best and freshest products, so we usually take a minimum of 24 hours to deliver your order. However, if you place an order before 4 PM, we deliver your choice of handmade goodnesses on the same day! So, in case you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth or host guests at home for a dinner party, we have got you covered! Either way, you’re sure to get home super fresh, decadent, and the best Italian desserts.

Also read - Tiramisu’s “Pick Me Up” Tale