Campania · Naples
Sfogliatella
A crisp layered shell filled with semolina and ricotta cream.
Italian culture · Dolci
Tiramisu, cannoli, panna cotta, baba: the guide to traditional Italian desserts
6 min read
Regional origins, authentic versus industrial versions, and the right dessert for the meal you just had.
The essentials
Traditional Italian desserts are regional: tiramisu from Veneto (claimed by Treviso, disputed by Friuli), cannoli from Sicily, panna cotta from Piedmont, and baba, of Franco-Polish origin, adopted by Naples.
After a heavy meal, choose panna cotta, affogato or lemon ice cream; for a treat, tiramisu or baba; to taste several dolci, the Italian gourmet coffee.
In Italy, nobody skips dolci. This guide explains where the great traditional Italian desserts come from, how to recognise an authentic version and which one to pick.
Dolci in the Italian meal: a place of their own
In Italy, dessert is part of the rhythm of the table, just like the antipasti that open it.
Dolci, caffè, digestivo: the order
Dessert first, then espresso, then an optional digestif.
See our guide to the dishes to order, from antipasti to dolci.
A short dessert menu is a good sign
A serious trattoria offers a handful of dolci it truly masters.
The meal starts with our antipasti.
Tiramisu: the most famous Italian dessert
Tira mi sù means “pick me up”.
Origin
Treviso (Veneto) claims it, Friuli disputes it; it became popular in the second half of the 20th century.
Ingredients
Mascarpone, savoiardi, coffee, fresh eggs, cocoa; amaretto is a variant, used in Pépé Zino’s homemade tiramisu.
Read about imported Italian products.
Authentic or industrial
Real mascarpone rather than whipped cream, well-soaked biscuits, hours of resting.
Cannoli: Sicily as a dessert
A fried shell filled with sweet ricotta.
Sicilian origin
A Sicilian dessert, long linked to Carnival.
Filled at the last minute
Ricotta softens the shell, so it is filled to order.
Pistachio and chocolate chips
The classic toppings, as at Pépé Zino.
Panna cotta: Piedmontese simplicity
“Cooked cream”
Cream, sugar and a setting agent; it should wobble, not bounce.
Berries, passion fruit or honey
The richer your meal, the tangier the coulis.
Rum baba: Neapolitan by adoption
Not born in Italy, but adopted by Naples.
A Franco-Polish story
Lorraine and Paris in the 18th century, then Naples in the 19th.
Baba in Naples today
A city symbol; served at Pépé Zino with whipped cream.
Affogato, gelato and gourmet coffee
Affogato
Espresso poured over vanilla ice cream.
Gelato vs ice cream
Generally less fat, less air, served slightly warmer.
Italian gourmet coffee
Tiramisu, cannoli and baba with an espresso.
Other traditional Italian desserts to know
Cultural landmarks found in Italy, not on our menu.
Naples
Pastiera
The Neapolitan Easter tart with ricotta and wheat.
Milan · Lombardy
Panettone
The tall Christmas brioche with raisins and candied fruit.
Which Italian dessert to choose for your meal?
It depends on what you just ate.
After pizza or rich pasta
Panna cotta, affogato or lemon ice cream.
For the sweet-toothed
Tiramisu or rum baba.
With children
Ice cream or a Nutella pizza to share.
See our Italian meal with children article.
Dolci at Pépé Zino in Aubagne
Homemade tiramisu, cannoli, panna cotta, rum baba, affogato, ice creams, homemade mascarpone whipped cream and the Italian gourmet coffee.
Discover our homemade Italian cooking; see the current menu for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-known Italian dessert?
Tiramisu, from north-eastern Italy.
Tiramisu vs panna cotta?
Layered mascarpone and coffee vs set cooked cream with coulis.
Is rum baba Italian or French?
Born in Lorraine and Paris, adopted by Naples.
Are cannoli Sicilian?
Yes, a typically Sicilian dessert.
What is an affogato?
Ice cream “drowned” in hot espresso.
Gelato vs ice cream?
Gelato is generally less fatty, denser and served slightly warmer.
Related pages
Going further
Discover our whole cuisine on our trattoria Aubagne page.
Come and taste our dolci
Come and taste our dolci after a meal at the trattoria: book your table.
Book online