Happy New Year!

Italian desserts are a must to finish off a beautiful meal. From irresistible Tiramisù, crispy cannoli to semifreddo, we have the perfect dessert to impress. Now is the time to take a moment and choose which Italian dessert to make to welcome the new year.

1. Best ever Tiramisù

This recipe for Best ever Tiramisù is not only an irresistible dish but the best Tiramisù you have ever had. What’s the secret? It includes Italian meringue which is where the magic happens. Italian meringue helps to stabilise the Tiramisù and creates a rich, creamy and decadent texture; basically everything you want in a dessert. Every home cook can learn to make it, from beginner to dessert queen.

2. Sicilian-style cannoli

Get the taste of Sicily in this recipe for Cannoli alla Siciliana (Sicilian-style cannoli). Fresh, crispy golden pastry shells are filled with smooth, creamy ricotta flavoured with orange zest, chocolate bits, candied orange peel, and coated in chopped pistachios. Cannoli Siciliani were originally a dessert for the famous ‘carnevale’ season and thank goodness it has since become a dessert that can be enjoyed all year round!

3. Graffe Napoletane (Naplolitean-style donuts)

This recipe for Graffe Napoletane (Napoli-style donuts) are sweet and fluffy with a zesty base. Delicious sugar-coated Graffe are made with boiled potatoes, flour, eggs and butter; the dough is then rested until doubled in size. Graffe are a traditional recipe of Carnevale festivities and enjoyed all year round at bars in Southern Italy  with a great espresso coffee. Bring a little piece pf Napoli to your home kitchen – they are absolutely delicious!

4. Torrone Semifreddo

Torrone Semifreddo is a classic Italian dessert for all the ice cream lovers out there. This recipe has the flavours of torrone, an Italian nougat made with honey, egg whites, sugar and nuts and uses whipped cream for a luscious creamy texture. You will enjoy every bite!

5. Vanilla panna cotta and mixed berry compote

Panna cotta (Italian for “cooked cream”) originated in the northern Italian region of Piedmont. It is an Italian dessert made of thickened cream that is sweetened and uses gelatine leaves to create a mould. Vanilla panna cotta and mixed berry compote is not only delicate and pretty-as-a-picture, but an easy, make ahead recipe that is perfect for entertaining!

Happy cooking!

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Vanessa Bottaro

Author, Founder and Creative Director at Italian Spoon

In my eyes, Italian cuisine is love on a plate.

Vanessa is Creative Director of the Italian Spoon website and Author of The Italian entertaining cookbook, a collection of home-style Italian recipes and tips for entertaining in true Italian-style. In addition to cooking and taking photographs, Vanessa writes the recipes and blogs to bring the love of Italian cooking to life! The collection of recipes and blogs on the website have been inspired by travels to Italy and desire to share what she has learnt from the great ‘Mamma’s and ‘Nonna’s in her life!

Vanessa is an entrepreneur and wife to husband Simone and the mother of two beautiful kids Dante and Mia. Even so she was born and lives in Melbourne Australia, Vanessa has a deep connection to Italy. Perhaps it is the food, or maybe it is because it is the place where Vanessa met the love of her life, Simone to whom she has been happily married for so many years.

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