26 Traditional Italian Christmas Desserts

Are you ready to indulge in the sweetest flavors this holiday season with our guide to traditional Italian Christmas desserts?  Christmas is a holiday season where you get to enjoy delicious food with your family and friends. Italian Christmas desserts fill the diner’s table with festivity. 

Our easy to make Italian Christmas dessert recipes will transport you to Italy with every bite.  So, roll up your sleeves and be ready to impress your loved ones with these traditional Italian Christmas Desserts. 

1.   Italian Panettone

Panettone is a traditional Italian Christmas dessert. It is a bread made of yeast and shaped like a tall cylindrical dome. Studded with raisins, candied fruits, and sometimes nuts and chocolate chips.

It is similar to a light sponge cake and is often served sliced into wedges. It is beautiful on your Christmas table.  

2.   Zepolle

Zepolle is one of the famous Italian Christmas desserts known for its decadent flavor and unique texture. It is a deep-fried doughnut made from flour, yeast, water, and sugar. It is filled with sweetened ricotta cheese or cream. 

3. Italian Cookies 

Though Italian cookies are made of simple ingredients, which entails time and attention. 

Italian cookies vary in size, shape, and flavor. Amaretti are made of almonds that are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Biscotti are cookies baked twice and known for their crunchy texture. Canolli is fried shells that are filled with cream cheese filling.  

4.Italian Easter Cookies

Aside from Christmas, Easter is also a significant holiday in Italy. It is also celebrated with different sweet treats such as Italian Easter Cookies.

5. Mini Chocolate Panettone 

Mini chocolate panettone  is a sweet bread originated in Milan and is enjoyed by Italians during the holiday season. 

6.   Tiramisu 

Tiramisu is an iconic and traditional Italian Christmas dessert that is a staple at holiday gatherings. It is loved by many because of its creamy texture and indulgent taste. In this phase, we will introduce you to how to make such a beloved dessert in Italy. 

7. Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake 

Pandoro means “golden bread,” which initially came from Verona, Italy.  It is a soft and spongy Christmas tree cake with the pastry cream filling of your choice. 

8. Chocolate Toto

Chocolate Toto is a traditional Italian Christmas dessert that came from the region of Calabria. It is a soft and fluffy bread with a rich chocolate filling with a hint of orange zest. 

9.Tiramisu Semifreddo

Tiramisu Semifreddo has the same ingredients as the classic Tiramisu. However, the difference is the whipped cream is folded into the mascarpone to create a fluffy texture. 

10. Pizzelle 

Pizzelle is an Italian Christmas dessert. It is thin, crisp waffle cookies made with a special iron and a grid design. It is richly flavored with lemon, anise, or vanilla. This cake is best enjoyed when sprinkled with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate. 

11.Cannoli                

Cannoli is a delicious treat consisting of crispy fried pastry shells filled with creamy ricotta cheese filling. It is often garnished with powdered sugar, candied fruits, or chopped pistachios. With delicious vanilla extract flavor.

12. Cannoli Dip 

Cannoli Dip is a delectable and easy to make Italian Christmas dessert. That is perfect for pastries and best served with a variety of dippers such as pretzels, fresh fruit or biscotti. 

13. Italian Struffolli

Italian Struffolli is bite-sized fried balls that are coated in honey and sprinkles. These are traditional Italian Christmas desserts are usually served with other sweet treats. This Italian Christmas recipe is known for its crispiness on the outside and chewy on the center.

14. Panna Cotta 

Panna Cotta is a creamy, smooth, indulgent, traditional Italian dessert perfect for Christmas. It can be served with fruit compote, plain, or drizzled with caramel or chocolate sauce. 

15.Panettone Bombe (Christmas Ice Cream Cake)

Panettone Bombe, or Christmas ice cream cake, is like a traditional Panettone. However, it is served with scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream on top.

16. Torrone 

Torrone is an Italian Christmas dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you are carving for more.  This Italian nougat candy is soft and chewy yet light and airy making it easy to savor every little bite. 

17. Italian Mostaccioli Cookie 

Get your taste buds ready with this mouth-watering Italian Christmas recipe. Mostaccioli cookies are delectable treats with their signature rectangular or diamond shape glazed with chocolate or icing. 

18. Amaretti 

Get ready to fall in love with this Italian Christmas dessert recipe. Amaretti Cookie is an almond-based treat with a crunchy exterior and moist center.  

19. Italian Cream Cake 

Italian Cream Cake is made up of moist and fluffy layers of cake. That are perfectly complemented by the sweetness of the frosting and the crunchiness of nuts, making it an absolute delight. 

20. Canestrelli

Are you looking for an indulgent Italian Christmas dessert recipe? Canestrelli is small, crumbly, shortbread cookies with butter and a nutty flavor.

21. Panettone Bread Pudding

This easy Italian dessert recipe will highlight your Christmas feast. Panettone Bread Pudding is a delectable combination of rich buttery Panettone, sweet and juicy raisins, and creamy custard. 

22. Italian Rainbow Cookies 

Italian Rainbow cookies are also known as Italian Flag Cookies, Tri-Color Cookies, and even 7-Layer Cookies. This Italian Christmas dessert recipe will brighten up any holiday table because of its vibrant colors. 

23. Zuppa Inglese (Italian Trifle)

Zuppa Inglese actually means “English soup,” which is far from its natural appearance. It is an indulgent trifle with layers of sponge cake, creamy custard, and sweet liqueur.

24. Italian Lemon Olive Oil Cake 

If you want to try a refreshing Italian Christmas cake, Lemon Olive Oil Cake will definitely give you a satisfying taste. This cake will provide you with a touch of lemon zest with a fluffy texture that bursts with flavors. 

25.Homemade Panforte 

Homemade panforte is an Italian Christmas dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries in Italy. It is a dense, chewy cake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices.

26.Sicilian Cassata Cake

The combination of sponge cake, candied fruits, and creamy ricotta filling makes the Sicilian Cassata cake is delightful. It is a traditional dessert that has been enjoyed in Sicily for generations with a dusting of powdered sugar.

More Christmas Dessert Recipes

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• Red Velvet Puppy Chow Recipe
• No Bake Nutella Pie