31 Italian Desserts for Celebrations and Sweet Occasions

Panna cotta is of the most popular Italian desserts on Epicurious—it's also our seventh most popular recipe of all time. It's a great make-ahead sweet for your next dinner party—just top with fresh fruit, good maraschino cherries, or simple shaved chocolate curls before serving. See recipe.

This citrusy, grain-filled pastry isn't a quick dessert, but it's absolutely worth the effort. Read more about Pastiera Napoletana history, then get to work. See recipe.

These classic cookies from Italy get their chewy texture from almond paste and egg whites, and their crunch from the buttery pine nuts embedded in their crispy surface. Be sure you're using canned almond paste in this recipe—not marzipan, which is sweeter. See recipe.

This cheesecake-like dessert is based on the first-ever recorded pie recipe, written down by ancient Romans. See recipe.

These pastry horns are filled with a simple Chantilly cream—but you could pipe in a richer custard instead. This recipe comes from The Italian Bakery: Step-by-Step Recipes With the Silver Spoon. See recipe.

This dairy-free chocolate mousse is made with just two ingredients—dark chocolate and eggs—and can easily be transformed into a rich flourless chocolate cake. See recipe.

These crunchy biscotti are perfect as part of a Christmas cookie assortment. Try drizzling with chocolate after they're baked and cooled. See recipe.

Semifreddo is a great way to make a cooling frozen dessert if you don't happen to own an ice cream maker. See recipe.

These teeny deep-fried, honey-dredged balls of dough are about the size of marbles. They can be shaped into a tall cone or a wreath. Decorate this festive centerpiece with rainbow sprinkles or candied fruit. See recipe.

Ciambella is often shaped in a ring, but this version sticks with a simple loaf. Cookbook author Guiliano Hazan, son of cooking icon Marcella Hazan, credits his grandmother for this recipe. See recipe.

For this prep-ahead favorite, you'll dunk store-bought ladyfingers in a lightly sweetened mix of coffee and dark rum. See recipe.

This silky and deeply chocolaty pudding gets a last-minute topping of candied walnuts. It's a must-try for chocolate dessert lovers. See recipe.

The texture of this airy semifreddo is somewhere between frozen chocolate mousse and gelato. In other words, it's ideal. See recipe.

For a true delight, serve these crispy zeppole hot out of the oil. Ice cream makes a nice accompaniment, as does bittersweet chocolate sauce for dipping. See recipe.

The sweet corn flavors of polenta pair nicely with summer stone fruit. Plums are lovely, but you could also use peaches or cherries. Serve this pudding with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. See recipe.

These not-too-sweet twice-baked cookies are extra delicious dipped in an after-dinner drink. See recipe.

Serve these crunchy cookies with espresso or a glass of amaro. Dried cherries add tang, while orange zest, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract boost the aroma and flavor. See recipe.

The best cannoli is a fresh cannoli—which is why it's totally worth making this Italian dessert recipe at home. While sheep's milk ricotta cheese is classic in this dish, you can use a combination of easier-to-find fresh cow's milk ricotta and goat cheese instead for a similar tangy flavor. See recipe.

This homemade gelato gets its richness from egg yolks, buttermilk, and mascarpone, and a bright lemon flavor from limoncello. Serve with cookies and extra limoncello to sip on the side. See recipe.

This honey-sweetened cake is made with ricotta, fine polenta, and almond flour—but no all-purpose flour—so you can serve it to gluten-free friends. See recipe.

These traditional Tuscan almond cookies have a wonderful chewy texture and a flurry of powdered sugar on top. See recipe.

If you're looking for an intensely flavorful gelato, start here. Hazelnut and chocolate are dreamy together, and the texture of this frozen dessert is silky and luscious. You will need an ice cream maker—but we promise you'll make frequent use of that machine once you taste this stuff. See recipe.

Almond paste, marmalade, and bittersweet chocolate lend deep flavor to these classic, brightly-hued cookies. See recipe.

Some say these thin waffle cookies from Abruzzo are the original cookie. Serve with gelato the day they're made—if you want to, though, you can store the simple batter in the fridge for up to a week. See recipe.

Seek out freshly made, local ricotta for this elegant cake, which is flavored with just a smidge of cinnamon, lemon zest, and vanilla. See recipe.

This is neither a traditional affogato nor a traditional tiramisu, but it is a simple Italian-inspired dessert that tastes fabulous. See recipe.

You can use decaf coffee to make this easy recipe. Or make it with the strong stuff and nibble as an afternoon pick-me-up. See recipe.

The custard mix for this creamy dessert is flavored with the traditional Marsala, plus a little rum. See recipe.

There are plenty of easy Italian desserts, but these light and crunchy sfogliatelle are more of a commitment. Consider this Italian pastry the perfect baking project for a quiet afternoon. See recipe.

In this Italian holiday favorite—another project that's worth the effort—a sweet yeast dough is studded with golden raisins and jewel-toned glacéed citron. See recipe.