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    Home » Dessert » 23 Delicious Italian Christmas Desserts

    Published: Dec 20, 2022 · Updated: Dec 20, 2022 by Liz Cipolla · This post may contain affiliate links

    23 Delicious Italian Christmas Desserts

    These 23 delicious Italian Christmas desserts are sure to please all your guests this holiday season. From biscotti and pizzelle to tiramisu, tortes, and panettone, these Italian dessert recipes are perfect for entertaining during the holiday season.

    A photo collage of Italian wedding cookies, tiramisu cups, cranberry panna cotta and gingerbread tiramisu with the title "23 Delicious Italian Christmas Desserts".

    In our home, the Christmas season always kicks off by making a large batch of biscotti. While biscotti is a personal family favorite, there are so many other fantastic Italian dessert recipes to choose.

    Whether you are looking for a traditional Italian dessert like struffoli or a twist on a traditional dessert like a show-stopping gingerbread tiramisu, this great list has it all!

    Save this list of Italian Christmas dessert recipes for an absolutely unforgettable holiday!

    1

    Christmas Gingerbread Tiramisu

    Photo Credit: burrataandbubbles.com

    This elegant and show-stopping Christmas gingerbread tiramisu only takes thirty minutes to prepare. Italian ladyfingers are soaked in a dark rum-spiked, sweetened coffee mixture and then layered with a perfectly creamy spiced mascarpone filling. This recipe is one of my favorite twists on traditional tiramisu.

    2

    Italian Rum Cake

    Photo Credit: daniscookings.com

    This beautiful layered cake uses chilanty cream and rum for a light and elegant dessert perfect for the holidays.

    3

    Zabaglione - Authentic Zabaione Cream

    Photo Credit: www.thepetitecook.com

    Zabaglione is a traditional Italian dessert perfect for Christmas and only requires three ingredients. Its rich custart like texture makes it perfect to serve with cookies, fresh berries, or as an addition to tiramisu.

    4

    Struffoli - Italian Honey Balls

    Photo Credit: foodfolksandfun.net

    Homemade struffoli (Italian honey balls) is a classic Italian Christmas dessert made of little fried dough balls. The fried dough balls are then covered in honey and topped with sprinkles.

    5

    Torta Caprese (Italian Chocolate Torte)

    Photo Credit: richanddelish.com

    This Torta Caprese is a famous Italian chocolate torte made with ground almonds, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and whipped egg whites. This rich and chocolately dessert will be sure to keep your holiday guests coming back for more.

    6

    Christmas Tiramisu

    Photo Credit: www.thepetitecook.com

    This Chrismas tiramisu is actually made with panettone instead of ladyfingers for an absolutely stunning Italian dessert with very little effort.

    7

    Gingerbread Biscotti

    Photo Credit: balancewithjess.com

    This easy Gingerbread Biscotti recipe is the perfect holiday treat that also pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee. The golden brown, lightly spiced cookie will please all of your senses, from the mouthwatering aroma to the delightfully crunchy texture of every bite. Say hello to your new favorite holiday cookie!

    8

    Creamy Panna Cotta Recipe with Cranberry Sauce

    Photo Credit: drivemehungry.com

    This rich and creamy panna cotta is topped with a bright homemade cranberry sauce. Try this quick and easy recipe for a single serve Italian Christmas dessert or even just on weeknights!

    9

    Pignoli Cookies (with or without almond paste) - Texanerin Baking

    Photo Credit: www.texanerin.com

    These five ingredient pignoli cookies are incredibly quick and easy tand have a crisp exterior and chewy interior. They can be made with or without almond paste and there’s even a paleo option.

    10

    Italian Anisette Cookies

    Photo Credit: amandascookin.com

    These anise cookies, also called Italian anisette cookies, are a Christmas dessert favorite. Anise extract can be swapped for lemon or vanilla extract for those that may not enjoy the strong licorice flavor of anise.

    11

    Easy Tiramisu Cups

    Photo Credit: richanddelish.com

    These individual tiramisu cups are an easy twist on the classic dessert, made with layers of creamy mascarpone, ladyfingers, and cocoa powder, this makes the perfect Italian christmass dessert!

    12

    Italian Cookies Canestrelli

    Photo Credit: daniscookings.com

    These melt in your mouth Italian cookies are shaped like flowers making them not oly delicious but adorable too! With their elegant shape and light teture they are the perfect bite-sized Italian dessert to add your Christmas table!

    13

    Chocolate Panettone Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting

    Photo Credit: sugaryums.co.uk

    Try this twist on a traditional Italian classic with these beautiful Chocolate Panettone Cupcakes. These mini panettone are incredibly light, fluffy and delicious. Topped with Baileys frosting, these Panettone cupcakes are perfect for Christmas!

    14

    Italian Pizzelle Cookies

    Photo Credit: littlesunnykitchen.com

    Pizzelle Cookies are a classic Italian tradition and they are super simple to make using a Pizzelle Iron and some common baking ingredients. Make these for Christmas, Easter, or any time you’re in the mood for a crisp, light, buttery Italian cookie.

    15

    How To Make Tasty Tiramisu Cheesecake

    Photo Credit: www.all-thats-jas.com

    Combine two Italian desserts for the ultimate Christmas tiramisu cheesecake everyone will love! This coffee-flavored tiramisu dessert in cheesecake form is perfect for holidays, special occasions, or just because!

    16

    Italian Christmas Cookies - Anginetti Cookies

    Photo Credit: www.thepetitecook.com

    These anginetti cookies are the perfect Italian Christmas dessert. They have a soft cake-like texture and are topped with a delicious glaze.

    17

    Italian Wedding Cookies

    Photo Credit: richanddelish.com

    Italian wedding cookies are shortbread-like cookies that are tossed in powder sugar and made with only a few simple ingredients. they are the perfect simple yet delicious Italian Christmas dessert.

    18

    Italian Cream Cake

    Photo Credit: www.ihearteating.com

    Old-fashioned Italian cream cake made with coconut, pecans, and cream cheese frosting. This is a can't-miss authentic Italian cream cake recipe!

    19

    Orange Chocolate Chip Biscotti

    Photo Credit: chefsavvy.com

    Crisp orange chocolate chip biscotti is dipped in chocolate then sprinkled with orange zest! This easy biscotti recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges! Try it as a fun cooking project with the kids over the holidays. They’ll love dipping the biscotti in the chocolate and sprinkling them with pecans and orange zest!

    20

    Raspberry Champagne Granita

    Photo Credit: makeitskinnyplease.com

    Raspberry and Pink Champagne Granita is a simple and elegant dessert perfect for a holiday meal or to take the heat out of a steamy summer day. This Sicilian specialty dessert is easy to make and pretty in pink!

    21

    Zuppa Inglese Recipe (Traditional Italian Trifle)

    Photo Credit: www.marcellinaincucina.com

    This gorgeous Zuppa Inglese is a no-bake dessert that can be prepared in advance. This recipe uses Alchermes liqueur which is a sweet and spicy Italian liqueur which has a vibrant red color. This stunning Italian trifle is perfect for a show stopping Italian Christmas dessert.

    22

    Italian Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberries

    Photo Credit: thehealthyepicurean.com

    This Italian ricotta cheesecake a mix of cream cheese and ricotta make for a wholesome cheesecake that is sweet but not too sweet. It's perfectly rich and delicious and topped with mascerated raspberries. It's festive color makes it the perfect choice for an Italian Christmas dessert.

    23

    Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake

    Photo Credit: www.keep-calm-and-eat-ice-cream.com

    This no bake Ferrero Rocher cheesecake with Nutella is both decadent and delicious. This Italian dessert will be sure to please even the pickiest eaters on Christmas.

    Whether it's for Christmas, New Years or any other holiday of the year, this wonderful list of Italian Christmas Desserts is filled with recipes for everyone to enjoy.

    FAQs

    What desserts do they eat in Italy on Christmas?

    Panettone is a traditional Italian Christmas dessert. It is a typically a domed-shaped sweet brioche dough that is usually filled with dried fruit and nuts. 

    What is the most famous dessert in Italy?

    The dessert Italy is probably most know for is Tiramisu. Tiramisu is a rich dessert with alternating layers of coffee dipped lady fingers and sweet whipped mascarpone cream then topped with cocoa powder.

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    Comments

    1. Julia says

      December 30, 2022 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great list of recipes and has a few gems to impress some Italian friends! I can’t wait to make some of these beautiful desserts.

      Reply

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    A photo collage of Italian wedding cookies, tiramisu cups, cranberry panna cotta and gingerbread tiramisu with the title "23 Delicious Italian Christmas Desserts".
    Several mini pecan pie bites on a white platter with a few topped with whipped cream and a piping bag of whipped cream resting next to the serving platter.
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