10+ Sicilian Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Sicilian desserts are a delicious reflection of Italy’s rich culinary traditions. They highlight the unique ingredients of Sicily. From creamy treats to fruity delights, these desserts are perfect for any occasion.

Exploring Sicilian dessert recipes allows you to bring a taste of this beautiful island into your kitchen. With each recipe, you’ll find simple steps to create mouthwatering treats that will impress your family and friends. Making these desserts is not just about enjoying sweets; it’s also about sharing a part of Sicilian culture.

1) Cassata Siciliana

Cassata Siciliana is a classic Sicilian cake that features soft layers of sponge cake filled with sweet ricotta cheese. It’s a favorite during special occasions like weddings and holidays. The colorful marzipan topping makes it visually stunning.

You start by preparing a rich filling of ricotta, sugar, and sometimes chocolate or candied fruits. The cake layers are soaked in liqueur like Strega for extra flavor.

Cover the entire cake with marzipan and add decorative designs. Each slice reveals a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 pound sponge cake
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 1 cup marzipan
• Candied fruit for decoration

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the sponge cake and let it cool.
2. Mix ricotta cheese and sugar in a bowl.
3. Cut the sponge cake into three layers.
4. Soak the layers with liqueur.
5. Spread the ricotta mixture between the layers.
6. Cover the cake with marzipan.
7. Decorate with candied fruit as desired.

2) Cannoli di Ricotta

Cannoli di Ricotta are a classic Sicilian dessert that you can easily make at home. These delicious treats have a crispy shell filled with sweet ricotta cheese. They are perfect for special occasions or just to enjoy a sweet snack.

To make them, you want a crunchy outer shell. You get this by frying dough until golden brown. Once cool, you fill the shells with a creamy ricotta mixture.

You can add flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or citrus to give your filling a special touch. Garnish with powdered sugar, chocolate chips, or pistachios for extra sweetness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon white wine or vinegar
• Oil for frying
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
2. Cut in butter until crumbly.
3. Mix in egg and wine/vinegar. Form dough and chill.
4. Roll out dough and cut into circles.
5. Fry in hot oil (375°F/190°C) until golden.
6. Drain on paper towels.
7. Mix ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.
8. Fill cooled shells with the ricotta mixture.
9. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

3) Granita al Limone

Granita al Limone is a refreshing Sicilian dessert that is perfect for hot days. This icy treat is made with just three simple ingredients: water, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. It’s easy to prepare and tastes amazing!

To start, you will combine water and sugar to make a syrup. Heat it gently until the sugar dissolves completely. Then, mix in the lemon juice for a burst of flavor.

Next, pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze it. Every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape the ice and create fluffy crystals. Repeat this until your granita is light and airy.

Serve your granita in cups and enjoy the cool, zesty treat!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix water and sugar in a saucepan.
2. Heat over low until sugar dissolves.
3. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
4. Pour into a shallow dish and freeze.
5. Scrape with a fork every 30 minutes until fluffy.

4) Pasticciotti Siciliani

Pasticciotti Siciliani are delightful Italian pastries filled with creamy goodness. These treats come from Sicily, and they are perfect for any special occasion or just a sweet snack.

To make pasticciotti, you will need a buttery pastry dough. This dough cradles a rich filling typically made from pastry cream or ricotta cheese. Some variations even include cherries for an extra burst of flavor.

You bake the pastries until they are golden and have a lovely aroma. When you bite into them, you’ll enjoy a perfect mix of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 500g all-purpose flour
• 250g butter
• 100g sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 glass of dry white wine
• A pinch of salt
• 500g ricotta cheese or pastry cream
• 250g powdered sugar
• Amarena cherries (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Combine flour, butter, and sugar in a bowl.
3. Add the egg and wine, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out half of the dough and cut into circles.
6. Place in greased molds and fill with ricotta or pastry cream.
7. Cover with remaining dough and seal edges.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
9. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!

5) Torrone Siciliano

Torrone Siciliano is a delightful treat that is perfect for any occasion. This traditional Italian nougat is made with almonds and has a sweet, chewy texture. It’s a popular dessert, especially during holidays and celebrations.

To make Torrone, you will use just a few simple ingredients. The process is rewarding and a bit fun. You will enjoy the rich flavors that come together beautifully.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole almonds
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast the almonds in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until golden brown.
2. In a saucepan, mix honey and sugar over low heat until dissolved.
3. Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form.
4. Slowly add the honey mixture to the egg whites, mixing constantly.
5. Stir in vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt.
6. Fold in the toasted almonds.
7. Pour the mixture into a lined baking pan. Let it cool before cutting into pieces.

6) Frutta Martorana

Frutta Martorana is a famous Sicilian sweet that resembles colorful fruits. It is made from almond paste and has a rich history tied to the Day of the Dead.

These sweets are not only tasty but also visually stunning. They are often displayed in pastry shops, especially before November 2nd, making them an exciting treat to see and enjoy.

To create Frutta Martorana, you will need ingredients like almond flour and sugar. The process takes some skill, but the results are rewarding.

Ingredients

• 500 g almond flour
• 500 g sugar
• 125 ml water
• Food coloring
• Vanilla aroma

Cooking Instructions

1. Finely grind the almond flour.
2. In a pan, mix water and sugar, and heat until it forms a syrup.
3. Stir in the almond flour and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
4. Shape the mixture into fruit forms and color as desired.

7) Torta Setteveli

Torta Setteveli is a delightful Sicilian dessert that combines layers of chocolate and hazelnut flavors. This cake features a beautiful mix of textures, with smooth creams and a crispy layer on the outside. It’s perfect for any celebration.

To make it, you will need several key components, including chocolate genoise cake, hazelnut paste, and chocolate ganache. Each layer adds to the cake’s rich taste and unique experience.

Don’t forget the shiny chocolate glaze that gives it a stunning finish. You can also add hazelnut praline on top for an extra crunch and flavor boost.

This cake might take some time to prepare, but the result is worth every bite. Your friends and family will love this elegant treat.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 150g sugar
• 150g hazelnut flour
• 150g dark chocolate
• 300ml heavy cream
• 100g hazelnut paste
• 200g chocolate for glaze

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Fold in hazelnut flour and melted chocolate.
4. Bake in a greased cake tin for 25 minutes.
5. Cool and slice into layers.
6. Prepare hazelnut bavarian cream and chocolate ganache.
7. Layer the cake with cream and ganache.
8. Coat the top with chocolate glaze.

8) Biscotti di Mandorla

Biscotti di Mandorla are delicious Sicilian almond cookies. These treats are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They are made mostly from almond paste, which gives them a rich flavor.

You can enjoy these cookies with coffee or as a sweet snack anytime. They are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making them perfect for many diets.

The almonds used in these cookies come from Sicily, known for its high-quality almonds. The cookies can also be flavored with lemon or orange zest for an extra zing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 egg whites
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix almond flour and powdered sugar.
3. Then, add egg whites, lemon zest, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
4. Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden.

9) Gelo di Melone

Gelo di Melone is a classic Sicilian dessert made with fresh watermelon. Its refreshing taste makes it perfect for warm days.

To make this treat, you will need just three ingredients: watermelon, sugar, and cornstarch. This simple recipe is easy for anyone to try at home.

Start by blending the watermelon into juice. You’ll need about 3 cups of juice for the perfect texture.

Then, cook the juice with sugar and cornstarch until it thickens. Once it reaches a pudding-like consistency, pour it into a mold and let it cool. After chilling in the refrigerator, it will set into a delightful pudding form.

Enjoy this light dessert on a hot summer afternoon or anytime you crave something fruity and sweet!

Ingredients

• 4 cups watermelon, cubed
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup cornstarch

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend watermelon cubes to make juice.
2. In a pot, mix watermelon juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.
4. Pour into a mold and refrigerate to set.
5. Serve chilled.

10) Brioche con Gelato

Brioche con gelato is a delightful treat from Sicily. This dessert features a soft, buttery brioche bun filled with creamy gelato. It’s popular during the hot summer months and is even enjoyed for breakfast.

The brioche is typically larger and has a small top piece, called tuppo. You can pull off the tuppo and dip it in gelato before taking a big bite. This gives you the perfect combination of flavors.

You can choose various gelato flavors to fill your brioche. Chocolate, pistachio, and vanilla are great options. Each flavor pairs wonderfully with the sweet brioche.

To make this dessert, you’ll enjoy both the fun of assembling it and the deliciousness of eating it. Kids and adults alike love this treat!

Ingredients

• 1 brioche bun
• 1 scoop of gelato (your choice of flavor)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the brioche bun in half.

2. Scoop your favorite gelato into the bottom half of the bun.

3. Place the top half back on the gelato.

4. Enjoy your brioche con gelato!