Northern Italian Desserts You Have to Try
Italians are well-versed in all things desserts - walking into any restaurant, you're bound to find one type of Italian dessert on the list. We're sure you've heard about the tiramisu, gelato and panna cotta. Other than these iconic courses, you will find that every region has its take on sweet treats, adding to the long list of Italian delicacies. Desserts are so important, think about it, after eating the right amount of pasta and pizza, it's great to cleanse your palate with something sweet! Although each region of Italy has its specialities, we want to focus on Northern Italian desserts for this article. Our Miramonti Boutique Hotel is passionate about bringing to light the often underrated aspects of Italian cuisine. Read below for some iconic Italian desserts, as well as desserts that you may not know about! So, without further ado, we'll start with:
TIRAMISU
Perhaps the most well-known dessert in the list is tiramisu. It's simply a gorgeous harmony of sponge cake dipped in coffee, mascarpone and chocolate powder. In Italian, it means 'pick me up' - a perfect name. Who can resist picking a slice of tiramisu? The invention of this delicious dessert dates back to the 1960s in Veneto in a quaint little restaurant named 'Le Breccherie' in Treviso. It wasn't long until this caffeine-induced dessert spread across the world, garnering popularity among those with a sweet tooth! Therefore, when it comes to choosing desserts for our Restaurant in the Alps, it was a no-brainer, including the iconic dessert in our list.
PANNA COTTA
Originating from the Western region of the Italian Alps, 'Panna Cotta' is a traditional dessert invented in the mountainous area of Piedmont. Just like tiramisu, it is also a popular dessert known all over the world. If you're looking to make panna cotta - it's relatively easy. It consists of a sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and moulded. Afterwards, it may be flavoured with coffee, vanilla and even rum.
Source: Spadellandia.it
SBRISOLONA
Now, this dessert you might not be familiar with. Sbrisolona is a crumbly, almond cake originating from Mantua, Lombardy. It is a cake of poor origins. Back then it was made from corn flour, lard and almonds - easily attainable ingredients for the poor. Corn flour was such a prominent ingredient for many poverty-stricken citizens centuries ago, with dishes such as Polenta being a meal to fill the stomachs. Today, the recipe is a combination of white and yellow flour, as well as sugars, are used to make it more of a sweet treat. Have a glass of grappa beside your Sbrisolona, and your dessert is complete!
Source: House and Garden UK
BONET
Another Piedmontese dessert - Bonet. It is a type of creme caramel that's enriched with an amaretti, cocoa and rum. It's an incredibly delicious dessert that can give you that small kick of alcohol. This dessert is very traditional, dating back as far as the thirteenth century - previously known as "bonet alla monferrina", it initially didn't have cocoa and rum. But only until the 20th century, it began to modernise and shift the recipe to include these ingredients.
Source: Lorenzovinci.it
TORTA BAROZZI
We can't get enough of these rum-infused desserts! Another Northern Italian speciality is Torta Barozzi; it is a flavourful Italian cake consisting of almonds, chocolate, rum and coffee - consider it as a lovechild of Sbrisolona and Bonet. It was invented in 1906 by Eugenio Gollini in Vignola, who dedicated the recipe to the 16th Century architect Jacopo Barrozzi. Today, the original recipe remains a secret kept by the family. If you're travelling to Northern Italy and have the chance to try Torta Barozzi, give it a go! It goes well with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Why not stay at Albergo Miramonti? We are located within the Alps, with a Hotel Spa, relaxing Cigar Lounge and an Italian Restaurant that serves local Valtellina Cuisine.
For more articles about the Italian Alps and Northern Italy, read our blog: