The 10 Best Italian Desserts I Want To Make Forever
From classic tiramisu to zeppole, these 10 Italian desserts are as delicious as they are easy.
![The 10 Best Italian Desserts I Want To Make Forever](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/FhJnmNLxTAD_OLiLNVh9VX9R9hE=/5609x3739/SimplyRecipes_StrawberriesandCreamSemifreddo_LEAD_8-6091b57b35a34c5392eb0db18a82ba96.jpg?#)
![Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo Slices Cascading on a Platter Next the Rest of the Uncut Semifreddo on the Same Platter. Semifreddo Is Topped With Halved Fresh Strawberries and Strawberry Compote. In the Surroundings, a Bowl of Fresh Strawberries and a Stack of Plates.](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/FhJnmNLxTAD_OLiLNVh9VX9R9hE=/5609x3739/SimplyRecipes_StrawberriesandCreamSemifreddo_LEAD_8-6091b57b35a34c5392eb0db18a82ba96.jpg)
The Italian phrase, la dolce vita, literally means "the sweet life." I'm turning to these 10 easy Italian desserts to help bring some of that sweet life into my kitchen. These recipes span the gamut from frozen treats to hot chocolate, with tips and tricks from Simply Recipes contributors to make them foolproof. Buon appetito!
Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo
![Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo Slices Cascading on a Platter Next the Rest of the Uncut Semifreddo on the Same Platter. Semifreddo Is Topped With Halved Fresh Strawberries and Strawberry Compote. In the Surroundings, a Bowl of Fresh Strawberries and a Stack of Plates.](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/FhJnmNLxTAD_OLiLNVh9VX9R9hE=/5609x3739/SimplyRecipes_StrawberriesandCreamSemifreddo_LEAD_8-6091b57b35a34c5392eb0db18a82ba96.jpg)
"Similar to ice cream, the flavor combinations for semifreddo are endless. This semifreddo recipe is the perfect base for any additional flavors or add-ins. Consider folding in cookie pieces, cake crumbs, or chopped nuts before freezing." —Stephanie Loo, Simply Recipes Contributor
Classic Tiramisu
![A plate of tiramisu](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/DhMeralO3v2wUlrgtWmKe-V1hZc=/2000x1333/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2017__10__2017-10-28-Tiramisu-21-7de4673191d542039f47927fde4fee82.jpg)
"You can substitute other spirits for the rum such as coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua) or brandy. They'll change the flavor slightly, but the tiramisu will still be delicious. To make the tiramisu non-alcoholic, use 6 tablespoons apple juice or apple cider plus 1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla extract or non-alcoholic rum." —Cindy Rahe, Simply Recipes Contributor
Zeppole
![A Small Plate with Three Zeppole, One Is Missing a Bite](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/eWMBiiNCS6UANQ9iYsxSILVbJ7E=/6180x4120/Simply-Recipes-Zeppole-LEAD-04-c80cb029a2c947698dafe1f2f1be7b4a.jpg)
"I am sometimes wary of recipes that involve deep frying at home. They often feel like too much work that also creates too much of a mess. But I promise you, making zeppole is almost as easy as making pancakes." —Mark Beahm, Simply Recipes Contributor
3-Ingredient Torta Di Noci (Calabrian Walnut Cake)
![3-ingredient cake](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/fzVLmSDinIEaYS4s9VufcKDzW8w=/2948x3931/3-ingredientcake10-2-3a55062ce6b543dab017c5f9211990cc.jpg)
"With this recipe, it's imperative that you separate the eggs properly. The key is to avoid breaking the yolks. You want absolutely no egg yolks in the egg whites—you'll have to start your egg whites over because they won't become stiff." —Devan Grimsrud, Simply Recipes Contributor
Easy Panna Cotta
![Panna Cotta Topped With Summer Berries and a Berry Sauce in a Bowl, and on the Counter a Spoonful of Panna Cotta With a Raspberry and Blueberry](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/GLr6-9eedQophVS36YB9EQDl8bQ=/2000x1333/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2017__05__2017-06-10-Panna-Cotta-4-c3211638d1eb4595a4e8533c0fac160c.jpg)
"If you don’t want to bother with unmolding the panna cotta, you can also simply pour the mixture into pretty dishes and serve them as is!" —Sally Vargas, Simply Recipes Contributor
Ciambellone
![slice of ciambellone on a plate with a fork, and in the background, a cup of coffee, more cake on a platter, and table napkins](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/ValKxXmT9sXHGpwRNlXPJutz5IA=/6240x4160/Simply-Recipes-Ciambellone-LEAD-9-ccc00d0f979d45199a67f3f68595571d.jpg)
"With this cake, it’s very important to use room-temperature ingredients for the batter to mix properly." —Mark
Watermelon Granita
![Side view of two glasses with watermelon granita and garnished with lemon slice.](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/E66_4_6GQLvP1uKSMuz1ZzwgKxU=/4256x2832/Simply-Recipes-Watermelon-Granita-LEAD-7-ba6385c9c05e43ed9bb8b9f6f81316d9.jpg)
"This granita recipe works equally well with honeydew, cantaloupe or another melon." —Ariane Resnick, Simply Recipes Contributor
Apple Crostata
![A plate of corstata](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/Jd85JHunwkmJtm_ngOR8koSmyqY=/1200x800/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2015__09__apple-crostada-horiz-a-1200-c4042a713707482ea77302c65e2daeab.jpg)
"We've included directions for making a simple butter crust. You can also use a store-bought crust (flat or folded, not in a pie tin) to save time." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder
Italian Cornmeal Cake
![A slice of golden cornmeal cake garnished with raspberry jam, fresh raspberries, and a scoop of ice cream](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/ZdiTAKSEPtu6dG_7iHfdVfoe-4U=/731x487/Simply-Recipes-Ina-Garten-Cake-LEAD-02-0412a6936a4a4750a533d33e858bdead.jpg)
"After making this cake for over 20 years, I've learned a few tweaks. The original recipe called for grinding almonds into almond flour, but I prefer to use store-bought almond flour because it’s tricky to grind almonds as finely as they need to be." —Robin Asbell, Simply Recipes Contributor
Cioccolata Calda (Italian Hot Chocolate)
![Two mugs of Cioccolato Caldo con Latte (Italian Hot Chocolate) in small white mugs with biscotti](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/thmb/vH24Lc0Wpje94jy6Ul_usfrqmC8=/6140x4093/Simply-Recipes-Cioccolata-Calda-LEAD-4-0a3f6561b1804939bbfe52db689816ce.jpg)
"It’s easy to accidentally keep the mixture on the stove for a second too long and end up with hot pudding. If you do, just copy my mom and stir in some extra hot milk; the result is just as delicious as ever." —Georgia Freedman, Simply Recipes Contributor