When it comes to pairing Italian food with dessert options, lasagna is an excellent starting point. The rich and creamy pasta dish is sure to satisfy your cravings, but what about the sweet treats that follow? A refreshing dessert can help cleanse your palate and provide a delightful contrast to the umami flavors of the lasagna.
Whether you’re in the mood for Italian classics like gelato or biscotti, or American favorites such as fruit salad and Sprite cake, there are countless options to consider. By ending your meal on a sweet note with these luscious desserts, you’ll be treated to a culinary experience that’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied and content.
Gelato
The Italian dessert that’s a perfect ending to any meal – gelato. There’s no better way to conclude a lasagna dinner than with a creamy, refreshing scoop of homemade gelato. To achieve the ideal consistency, this recipe uses cornstarch as a thickening agent, resulting in a dense and easily scoopable treat. For this dessert, you’ll need milk, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and a not-so-secret ingredient: cornstarch.
Don’t worry if you don’t have an ice cream maker – it’s completely unnecessary for this recipe.
Florentine Cookies
Florentine cookies are a delightful Italian treat that boasts an impressive medley of flavors. The combination of chopped almonds, orange zest, and vanilla creates a harmonious blend that’s simply irresistible. But what truly sets these cookies apart is their sandwich-style construction, featuring a rich chocolate filling that adds an extra layer of indulgence.
When you take a bite, the crispy, crumbly texture gives way to a satisfying crunch from the almonds, while the citrus notes from the orange zest add a bright and refreshing touch. It’s a flavor combination that’s equal parts elegant and decadent, making Florentine cookies a true delight.
Fruit Salad
Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with this delectable medley of fruits, featuring kiwi, grapes, pineapple, and an assortment of berries. The combination is nothing short of extraordinary, providing a perfect conclusion to your meal. To take it to the next level, drizzle the salad with honey and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing twist that will leave you craving more.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Indulge in the simplicity and satisfaction of homemade vanilla ice cream without relying on store-bought alternatives. This straightforward recipe requires just four basic ingredients: whole milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. The end result is a rich, velvety treat that surpasses commercial offerings in both taste and texture. Feel free to enjoy it as-is or elevate the experience with creative toppings like crushed candy, crunchy cookies, or toasted nuts.
For an added layer of indulgence, drizzle on some warm chocolate or caramel syrup for a match made in heaven!
Mini-Berry Tarts
Mini berry tarts are an endearing single-serving dessert that combines the richness of buttery crusts with the creaminess of custard filling, all topped off with vibrant fresh berries. These bite-sized treats have the power to impress and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. What’s more, they’re surprisingly light and refreshing, making them an ideal choice to follow a satisfying meal like lasagna – the perfect way to round out your dining experience.
Fruit Sorbet
While ice cream may be rich and creamy, fruit sorbet offers a lighter and more refreshing treat option after a heavy meal. Its unique charm lies in its simplicity – it’s not only delicious but also healthy and straightforward to prepare. The best part? You don’t need many ingredients; just sugar syrup, lemon juice, and your preferred fruit!
Cannolis
While cannolis may seem like an intimidating Italian dessert with their crunchy exteriors and silky smooth interiors, they’re surprisingly easy to make. The filling is a straightforward combination of ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and mini-chocolate chips, which provides the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Additionally, the shells are widely available in most grocery stores, making it simple to get started.
So, don’t be discouraged – with these basic components, you can create delicious cannolis that will impress even the most discerning palates.
Panna Cotta
Panna cotta, a quintessential Italian dessert, defies gravity with its paradoxical lightness and creaminess. While its foundation is humble gelatin, the end result is nothing short of magnificent.This sweet treat can be savored solo or elevated to new heights by pairing it with an assortment of fresh fruits. The possibilities are endless, and the outcome is always delightful.
Lemon Drop Cookies
Savoring every bite of a freshly baked lemon drop cookie is an indulgent experience. These delectable treats boast a perfect balance of textures, with their crispy edges giving way to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center. And then there’s the star of the show: the unmistakable zing of fresh lemon zest that elevates each cookie from delightful to sublime.
Biscotti
Indulge in the delightful combination of textures and flavors that Biscotti has to offer – a dense and crunchy Italian cookie elevated by the addition of pistachios and a hint of cardamom. While this recipe may require a bit more effort than others, the reward is well worth it.
Canestrelli
Italian shortbread cookies known as Canestrelli boast a unique characteristic – their flower-like shape. These delicate treats possess a captivating texture that’s both crumbly and addictive. What may raise an eyebrow is the unconventional use of hard-boiled egg yolks in their preparation. Despite initial surprise, this unusual ingredient proves to be the key to Canestrelli’s signature softness and irresistible allure.
Lemon Sour Cream Cake
This beloved dessert harmoniously unites the brightness of lemons and the richness of sour cream, crafting a cake that’s impossible to resist. The resulting flavor profile strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, as the acidity of the lemons subtly counteracts the sugar content. Moreover, the inclusion of sour cream imbues the cake with an unparalleled level of moisture, making it nearly impossible to devour just one slice.
Amaretti Cookies
Soft and chewy Amaretti cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. Made with almond flour, these classic cookies offer a unique texture and flavor profile that’s sure to please. What’s more, they’re also gluten-free, making them an inclusive option for those with dietary restrictions.
Italian Hug Cookies
Italian hug cookies, affectionately known as abbracci, are a delightful fusion of textures and flavors. These buttery treats feature a striking design that seemingly brings together opposing forces – the soft, creamy white side harmoniously coalesces with the rich, dark counterpart. This tantalizing dichotomy has won me over, and I’m convinced it will do the same for anyone who’s ever found themselves torn between the charms of vanilla and chocolate.
Sprite Cake
In the realm of American desserts, few treats are as beloved as sprite cake, a classic confection that has captured hearts with its sweet and sticky lemon-lime glaze. At its core is a tender yellow cake, so spongy and moist that it’s delightful on its own. However, it’s the transformative power of the glaze that truly elevates this dessert to new heights, as the harmonious balance of sweetness and tanginess creates an addictive flavor experience.
Limoncello Cake
Limoncello cake is an indulgent masterpiece, comprising tender sponge cake, a zesty lemon curd filling, and a rich mascarpone and cream cheese frosting. This showstopper of a dessert is nothing short of extraordinary, with each component working in perfect harmony to delight the senses. The cake itself is so light and airy it’s like taking a bite out of a cloud, while the limoncello syrup adds an intoxicating depth of flavor.
The lemon curd filling brings a welcome burst of citrusy freshness, providing a delightful contrast to the velvety softness of the cake. And then there’s the frosting – oh, the frosting! A sublime blend of cream cheese and mascarpone that would be more than worthy of being savored on its own. Together, these elements create a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds singing with joy.
Cappuccino
If you’re feeling weighed down after indulging in a hearty serving of lasagna, a steaming cup of cappuccino is just the pick-me-up you need. This classic Italian drink combines rich espresso with velvety steamed milk and a layer of creamy foam, making it a simple yet satisfying treat to whip up at home. So why rely on coffee shop convenience when you can be your own barista and craft the perfect cup in the comfort of your own kitchen?
