Holiday Italian Desserts: Tiramisu, Cassata and More

Classic Italian holiday desserts — tiramisu, cassata, polenta cake and more — and the pantry staples behind them.

The sweet end to an Italian feast

Italian holidays end at the dessert table — tiramisu, cassata, rice puddings, fried pastries and more. Many of these classics lean on pantry staples like arborio rice, cornmeal and coffee, so a festive finish is more within reach than it looks.

Classic holiday desserts

• Tiramisu — coffee-soaked layers with mascarpone
• Cassata or semifreddo — a frozen ricotta-and-fruit cake
• Sweet polenta cake — made with cornmeal
• Rice puddings and moulds — arborio rice and warm spices
• Fried pastries (cenci or chiacchiere) — crisp and sugar-dusted
• Crème brûlée — a coffee-scented custard

Pantry staples behind them

Many Italian sweets start in the pantry: arborio rice for puddings, cornmeal for polenta cake, and coffee for tiramisu and crème brûlée. Keep those on hand and a holiday dessert is a short step away — most need only a few fresh additions like eggs, cream, mascarpone or fruit.

Plan your dessert table

• Make-ahead stars: tiramisu and semifreddo
• A baked centrepiece: polenta or rice cake
• Something fried and festive: cenci
• A spread of small bites rather than one big cake
• Balance rich custards with lighter fruit

Tips

• Tiramisu and semifreddo are better made a day ahead
• Use good coffee for tiramisu and crème brûlée
• Note raw-egg recipes when serving vulnerable guests
• Dust fried pastries with sugar just before serving

Holiday Italian desserts, made simple

With a few pantry staples and a little planning, a festive Italian dessert table comes together beautifully. Unico arborio rice and cornmeal are the base for several of these holiday sweets.