Sweets & desserts from Italy

Italy has a long tradition of confectionery making and a wide variety of sweet treats that vary by region. Some of the most famous and popular Italian sweets are:

• Tiramisu : A popular dessert made with ladyfingers, eggs, sugar, coffee, and mascarpone. It originated in the Veneto region and is now known worldwide.
• Panna cotta : A soft and creamy dessert made from milk, cream, sugar, and gelatin. It originated in the Piedmont region and is often served with fruit or sauces.
• Cannoli : A classic Sicilian dessert consisting of a fried pastry shell and a filling of ricotta cheese, sugar, chocolate and cinnamon.
• Zabaglione : A sweet, creamy, and alcoholic dessert made with egg, sugar, and Marsala wine. It originates in the Piedmont region and is often used as a sauce or filling for other desserts.
• Pasticcini : A collective term for small, sweet pastries produced in many regions of Italy, often filled with jam, chocolate, or nuts.
• Pizzelle : A type of waffle-like Italian biscuit made in a Pizzelle maker and often sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Tuscany is known for its excellent cuisine and has a long tradition of sweets making. Some of the most famous and popular sweet treats from Tuscany are:

• Cantucci : A type of Italian almond biscuit made in Tuscany and often served as dessert with Vin Santo, a local sweet dessert wine.
• Castagnaccio : A traditional chestnut cake that is very popular in Tuscan cuisine. It consists mainly of chestnut flour, pine nuts, raisins, and spices such as cinnamon and rosemary.
• Ricciarelli : A type of almond biscuit made in Tuscany and often served as a Christmas dessert. They are round and dusted with powdered sugar.
• Schiacciata alla Fiorentina: A classic sweet flatbread, often baked for special occasions such as Christmas and Easter. It often contains raisins and lemon zest and is frequently sprinkled with powdered sugar.
• Panforte : A classic sweet cake made in Siena and the surrounding area. It is a very sweet cake made mainly with fruit, nuts, and honey.
• Fichi al cioccolato : dried figs covered in chocolate, it is a typical dessert from Tuscany, which can be bought on the street or in small shops.

South Tyrol is also known for its high-quality food products, including wines, spirits, and sweets. Many small and medium-sized enterprises in the region specialize in the production of premium food items, including the Oberhöller chocolate factory .