By now, you’re probably well-versed in the fabled “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” the Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition that nets a bountiful catch of delectable seafood. It’s by far one of our most cherished holiday food spectaculars of the entire season.
But the food traditions of Italy go well beyond the many savory dinner courses. Dessert holds a special place in the heart of Italian-Americans from New York to California, as it too is rich in the traditions passed down from the old country. For Italians of every generation, sweet treats like cookies, cakes, and other confections have become synonymous with December holidays, particularly Christmastime.
Here are our five favorite holiday desserts, each one perfect to tie a bow around any holiday meal.
Struffoli
This Neapolitan Christmas treat is essentially deep-fried balls of sugary dough, sweetened with honey, drizzled with sprinkles, and stacked in a heap. Only about the size of a marble or maybe a tad larger than that, struffoli is meant to be reminiscent of glittery baubles decorating the home at Christmastime. For many Italians, struffoli is as indispensable during the holidays as a Christmas tree, with usually one family member assigned with making it themselves or finding a passable bakery-prepared substitute.
Panettone
Since making it at home can prove difficult, chances are you’re more familiar with the store-bought version of this Italian sweet bread originating in Milan. Packaged to look like a gift, panettone is really the quintessential Italian Christmas cake. It’s a dome-shaped loaf filled with a mix of raisins, candied orange, citron, and lemon zest in a preparation that amounts to a much more beloved version of the oft-maligned seasonal fruitcake.
For Italians of every generation, sweet treats like cookies, cakes, and other confections have become synonymous with December holidays, particularly Christmastime.
Pignoli Cookies
For Italians of every generation, sweet treats like cookies, cakes, and other confections have become synonymous with December holidays, particularly Christmastime.
Pignoli is Italian for pine nuts, so you can venture a guess what the star ingredient is in this Italian cookie. Straight from Sicily, pignoli cookies are made with almond paste, egg whites, and those treasured pine nuts for a sweet treat that is light, nutty, and often served with a dusting of powdered sugar. Go grab a jar of Paesana pine nuts and try your hand at a homemade version during your holiday gathering.
Italian Cheesecake
Clearly, this is a dessert you can enjoy throughout the entire year—we just especially love to indulge during the holidays. Italian cheesecake differs from its American cousin in one important component: The cheese. Where American cheesecake typically uses cream cheese, the Italian counterpart utilizes ricotta. It’s also crustless (most of the time), less cloyingly sweet, more dry, and has a citrusy flavor thanks to the inclusion of candied citron.
Italian Rainbow Cookies
The Italian Christmas cookie tray holds many different sweet variables, including those pignoli cookies we mentioned earlier. But Italian Rainbow Cookies—or Tri-Colored Cookies—are the one treat that quickly disappear from the cookie tray. And though we’ve already said the word “cookie” numerous times, they are actually layers of sweet sponge cake separate by a thin spreading of jam and encased in a chocolate outer shell. No matter what you call them, no Christmas is complete without a box of these to close the meal.
