It’s well known that the French are famous for their pastries, but I’m here to show you that the Italians should not be set aside so quickly. This list of 13 delectable Italian Pastries will quickly show you the Italians know just what they’re doing when it comes to culinary sweet treats. From slightly sweet cannolis to melt-in-your-mouth wedding cookies, Italian pastries are a must-try. Grab a bit of espresso and a buttery Italian cookie, and you’ve got an afternoon treat that will help you slow down and enjoy the Italian way of life.
In this recipe roundup, you’ll see just how easy it is to make these Italian delights right at home. From mini buttery cookies that please a crowd, to fine dining date night desserts, you’ll be sure to find an Italian pastry that will satisfy your sweet tooth needs and impress your guests at the same time.
1. Italian Lobster Tails: Sfogliatelle
Don’t let the name scare you off – or at least use the Italian name if you don’t want to say “lobster tail” for your pastry. Sfogliatelle is a favorite of the Italian pastries. It’s super thin layers of dough that are baked until crunchy. And of course, there’s a filling. It’s made with orange and cinnamon flavored ricotta cream.
2. Mini Cannoli Cups
If you don’t have the patience or tools to create classic cannolis, you can make these mini cannoli cups instead. In the mini cup form, you don’t have to worry about the filling running everywhere. Delicate pastry is baked until crispy, then filled with a slight lemon ricotta filling. Mini chocolate chips are added for the finishing touch.
3. Italian Wedding Cookies
The only way to describe Italian wedding cookies is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can never have just one! With simple ingredients – almond being the key ingredient – you can whip up a batch of these shortbread cookies to have for any occasion. They work perfectly for bridal showers, potlucks, weekend brunches, or any other occasion that calls for a delicate sweet treat.
4. Italian Pastries: Ricotta Cookies
Ricotta Cookies are different in texture than wedding cookies. Ricotta Cookies are soft and tender cookies with a fluffy cake-like texture. They are not like regular sugar cookies though. The ricotta helps keep the cookies soft without being too spreadable. A glaze and sprinkles are the perfect way to top these tea treats!
5. Canestrelli
Canestrelli are shortbread-esque cookies that are typically shaped like flowers. These cute button cookies are easy to make and are flavored with a hint of lemon. They make a delicious afternoon snack with a cup of tea or a bit of espresso. Canestrelli differs from wedding cookies even though they are both shortbread cookies because they are made with cornstarch rather than almonds.
6. Occhi di Bue
Occhi di Bue (Bullseye) is just another name for these Italian Sandwich Cookies. Once the cookie part is done, you can fill these with your favorite filling, whether that be jam, chocolate hazelnut spread, or even lemon curd. They are absolutely adorable when made in large batches. Kids and adults alike will enjoy these.
7. Italian Pastries: Pistachio Biscotti
In my own opinion, nothing goes better with a cup of coffee than a biscotti. Chocolate biscotti specifically. This recipe is classic, though, and will result in a crisp, flavorful pistachio biscotti that will leave guests delightfully satisfied. It’s the perfect cookie morning, noon, or night as most Italians enjoy biscotti with their wine!
8. Pasticciotto
A sweet pie with an Italian cream filling, pasticciotto is the perfect sweet, creamy, comforting pastry. They can be enjoyed as breakfast pastries, or heated after dinner for a decadent dessert. It’s got a buttery pastry crust on the bottom, a luscious creamy filling, and is topped with more pastry crust giving it the perfect textures.
9. Classic Italian Pastries: Frittelle
Fried dough balls filled with plump sweet raisins, rolled in granulated sugar is what you get with frittelle. They are irresistible little bites and are quite easy to make. You don’t need any unique ingredients, just the regular eggs, milk, butter, flour and sugar. The flavoring comes from raisins and orange zest.
10. Italian Pastries: Maritozzi
Maritozzi are a Roman pastry bun flavored with citrus and vanilla. These sweet Italian brioche-style buns are sliced down the middle and filled with whipped cream. They are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. They are absolutely beautiful, so plan to serve these at your next weekend brunch when you have company to impress.
11. Sfingi Sicilliani
We can’t get enough of Italian-style doughnuts! Balls of risen dough are deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. They have a delicious sugar coating and are best served warm. But if by chance they aren’t eaten immediately you can reheat them and drizzle with honey and they are delicious that way too.
12. Italian Pastries: Bocconotti
Bocconotti are rich, decadent, but not overly sweet, filled cookies that are ideal for celebrations and entertaining. They are found in various regions of southern Italy with different fillings like cherry or grape jam, Nutella, and others. Have fun experimenting with different fillings to find your favorite! Biting into these cute Italian pastries to reveal the filling is always fun.
13. Italian Pastries: Tarallucci (Lemon Knot Cookies)
These anginetti are drop cookies that have been formed into a “knot”. They are lightly sweetened and glazed and are one of the best Italian Cookies. This recipe uses all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest so they are bright and flavored perfectly for a spring or summer treat.
From the classic cannoli with its crispy shell and creamy ricotta filling to the delicate layers of tiramisu, these treats embody Italy’s passion for flavor. Discover the secrets behind crafting these delectable desserts and bring a taste of Italy to your kitchen.
And if you are looking for something a bit lighter, be sure to check out my blueberry lemon cannoli recipe.
13 Fancy Italian Pastries To Impress Your Friends
Ingredients
- 2 Flatout fold it’s, I used the 5 grains and flax
- Egg whites
- 1/3 cup light ricotta cheese
- 2.5 oz softened light cream cheese
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 tsp lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp real lemon juice
- 2.5 Tbsp icing sugar, confectionery sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl mix your ricotta, cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon juice and zest and vanilla together, beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Gently fold in your blueberries, store mixture in fridge
- Cut your fold it breads in half so you have 2 round pieces. Use tooth picks and form them into shells. Brush egg whites onto bread and bake in oven for approx 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes, then very gently remove toothpicks from bread, they should hold there shape.
- Pipe your cheese mixture into your cannoli shells, you can use a small ziplock and cut of a tip big enough for blueberries to fit through and pipe into each end so the whole shell is filled. Store in fridge.
- Makes 4 cannoli’s at 5 smart points each (3 points plus)
- Nutritional info per cannoli (not incl blueberries) Calories 126…Fat 5.3g…Sat fat 2.7g…Carbs 15g…Fiber 3.5g…Sugar 7.6g..Protein 7.6g
