When you think of Italian sweets, there’s a good chance your mind is flooded with visions of hefty scoops of pistachio gelato and perfectly shaped cannoli bursting with light, fluffy cream. We don’t blame you – these confections have become popular because of how utterly irresistible they are. But Italian desserts go beyond what you’ll find in your local gelato shop, or even the items in a typical Italian delicatessen in London. In fact, some of the most delicious Italian pastries may be ones you’ve never even heard of! Here, Diforti guides you through some of the tastiest desserts in the pasticceria, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth with something a little different.
Aragostine
This absurdly flaky, wondrously crunchy pastry is traditionally made by rolling out the dough on a large table, sometimes using a pasta maker to get it flat, and then cutting and forming it into little shell-like lobster tail shapes. The shells are piped with a rich cream before being baked to perfection. Our favourite thing about our aragostine? We infuse their cream fillings with a variety of fresh ingredients, from zesty lemon to gloriously sweet white chocolate. We can’t think of a better authentic Italian food to pair with a tea or coffee.
Baci di Dama
If you’re a biscuit lover, you’re in for a treat: baci di dama are crumbly little bites of hazelnut-flavoured heaven. In Italian, their name means ‘lady’s kisses’, because when the biscuits are sandwiched together with a layer of luscious dark chocolate filling, they gently ‘kiss’ each other. Baci di dama are a specialty of Turin, where chocolate and hazelnuts have an inseparable, glorious relationship that dates back hundreds of years – but we’ll happily eat them anytime, anywhere.
Barchette
While these little boat-shaped pastries might look too adorable to eat, you won’t regret giving them a try. Its signature boat-like structure is made of a buttery shortbread crust that’s both tender and crisp, and it can be filled with a number of differentflavoured creams, like hazelnut chocolate and white chocolate. If you’re really feeling fancy, we recommend sampling our Dark Barchette with White Chocolate Cream. The cocoa-infused shortbread in this unique variation makes it a show-stopping party food that’s sure to wow guests after the main course has been served.
Tiramisu
Admittedly, this dessert is one you’ve likely heard of (and probably sampled on more than one occasion). It’s a go-to dessert in Italian restaurants around the world, and with good reason. Traditionally, it is made by soaking ladyfingers, a sweet, spongy biscuit, in espresso, then layering them with a mascarpone cheese-based cream and cocoa powder. The result is a delightfully moreish, complex confection – the best way to end a meal. You might be surprised, then, that it’s relatively simple to make at home: you can use our Cantuccini biscuits, mascarpone and Moak coffee to whip up a tiramisu in your very own kitchen.
Whether you’re a chocolate lover or you crave the fresh zing of citrus in your desserts, Italian pastry has something for everyone. Luckily, Diforti offers a vast array of Italian desserts that you won’t find anywhere else, so you can discover new favourites while enjoying the cannoli and gelato you’ve come to love.