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Recipes for Easy Italian Desserts You Can Make Ahead

Easy Italian Desserts Recipes

Tiramisu is a traditional and one of the many easy Italian desserts. And it’s one that takes a short time to make. This recipe is so easy, anyone can make it in a jiffy! The word or name “tiramisu” means to “lift me up” or “pick me up.” Coffee has that effect you know! Anyway, this easy Italian dessert was actually invented or created in the 1960s in Treviso, Italy, which is in a region of Veneto, Italy. There are a couple of chefs that take the credit for the original recipe of this fabulous and easy Italian dessert creation. 

Here is a recipe I found that was published a few years ago online. It is an easy version for those who don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. I hope you like it!

Easy Italian Tiramisu Recipe

Ingredients

2 packages of soft ladyfingers

0.75 c. coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua) or coffee syrup + 3/4 cup water

1 tub ready-to-eat cheesecake filling (Kraft Philadelphia)

Directions

Separate and arrange 1 package of the ladyfingers on the bottom of an 8-in. square baking dish, overlapping slightly.

Mix liqueur and water in a small bowl; brush ladyfingers with half the mixture. Stir cheesecake filling in the tub until spreadable. Spoon half over ladyfingers, spreading evenly. Repeat layers.

To add a little extra, sprinkle grated bittersweet chocolate between the ladyfinger and filling layers. Also, you can substitute hazelnut-flavored liqueur for the coffee-flavored liqueur. 

Finally, garnish the top with sifted unsweetened cocoa powder, if desired. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. (©Paula Hible/Woman’s Day)

Traditional Italian Biscotti

Another one of my favorite traditional Italian desserts is biscotti. I love to crunch on anything and why not crunch on something sweet and tasty! Great for dipping in your tea or coffee too. The sky’s the limit when it comes to adding your favorite flavor ingredients. Be creative and let’s see what you can conjure up. Here is a basic recipe that you can use to create your own. Have fun making these easy Italian desserts for your family and friends.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 c. sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

0.25 tsp. baking soda

0.50 c. each shelled pistachios and chopped dried apricots

1 grated ginger and 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Beat the first six ingredients in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until combined. Add your choice of flavors to these easy Italian desserts and mix them together. Divide dough in two; roll each half into a 12-in.-long log. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, 3 in. apart. Bake 25 minutes.

Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes (cool orange chocolate completely). Cut logs into 1⁄2-in.-thick diagonal slices, place slices upright on a baking sheet and return to oven. 10 to 12 minutes until pale golden. Cool completely. (©Mary Ellen Bartley)

Light Italian Desserts

For those of you that prefer easy Italian desserts that are a little softer than biscotti, how about a wonderful Strawberry Panna Cotta. It’s a lite and elegant Italian dessert that is not so filling, especially after a delicious meal of Roasted Rack of Lamb, or BBQ Ribs on the grill.

Strawberry Panna Cotta Recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. strawberries

1⁄2 c. sugar

1 tbsp. sugar

0.50 tsp. vanilla extract

1 packet unflavored gelatin

0.25 c. water

1.50 c. whole milk

1 c. heavy whipping cream

Garnish: sliced strawberries (optional)

Directions

Lightly grease eight 4-oz ramekins or cups with nonstick cooking spray.

Purée strawberries and sugar in a blender until very smooth. Press through a sieve into a bowl; discard seeds. Stir in vanilla. Remove 1 cup for the panna cotta; reserve the remaining purée.

Sprinkle gelatin over 1⁄4 cup water in a small custard cup; let stand 5 minutes to soften. Place cup in a small skillet of simmering water; stir until gelatin is dissolved. Simmer milk in a saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in dissolved gelatin. Transfer to a 1-qt glass measure; stir in reserved 1 cup strawberry purée and the cream until well blended. Pour into ramekins. Chill, covered, until firm, about 4 hours or up to 2 days. To unmold, run a small knife around each; invert onto plates, gently shaking to remove. Spoon some of the reserved strawberry sauce onto panna cotta. (©Rita Maas)

So there you have it, folks!. Three wonderfully easy Italian desserts that you can make without a lot of fuss or time. Great desserts that are easy and delicious don’t always have to take all day to make anymore. Have fun in the kitchen and let me know how you like these recipes!

Bon Appetit

©G Walls – All Rights Reserved

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