7 Of The Best Italian Desserts

From panna cotta to tiramisu, Italian desserts add the perfect touch of sweetness to the end of your meal. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes, from classics like this luscious strawberry gelato to more modern twists like this tiramisu-inspired ice box pie.

Strawberry Gelato

To guarantee homemade gelato’s luscious consistency and purity of flavor, il laboratorio del gelato owner Jon Snyder suggests thickening gelato with cornstarch rather than eggs. The result has less palate-coating fat than ice cream and lets the fruit shine.

Mixed-Nut-Milk Panna Cotta

These delicate custards are a great way to showcase the subtle, nutty flavor of homemade nut milk.

Chocolate-and-Pistachio Biscotti

Chef Kevin Sbraga varies these wonderful nutty biscotti, sometimes dipping them in melted dark chocolate for an extra layer of flavor.

Pumpkin-Gingersnap Tiramisù

Pumpkin pie meets tiramisù, with layers of pumpkin-mascarpone custard and gingersnaps brushed with Calvados syrup. In the freezer, the flavors and textures meld to form a deliciously creamy dessert.

Zabaglione with Strawberries

We love this zabaglione (a sweet custard spiked with marsala wine) served warm right off the stovetop, but it’s also a great make-ahead dessert: just add a bit of whipped cream and chill.

Cherries Poached in Red Wine with Mascarpone Cream

Thick mascarpone cheese mixed with honey makes a luscious topping for poached cherries. You can serve the dessert either warm or cold. We love it both ways.

White Peach Tart

“This crust is not what you’d expect,” chef Marco Canora says. “Instead of being crunchy, it’s puffy and cakey.” The dough is terrific for impromptu baking, because it doesn’t need to be chilled before it’s rolled out. For the filling, Canora recommends using peaches that are ripe but still firm, as drippy fruit will make the soft crust soggy.