Italy is known for its delicious mouth-watering desserts. Here are popular Italian desserts that start with “P”:
1. Pandoro
Pandoro is a traditional Italian sweet bread that is shaped like a frustum with an eight-pointed star section. It is made with a soft, sweet dough that is typically flavored with vanilla and lemon zest, and dusted with powdered sugar before serving. Pandoro is typically served at Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Italy. The word “pandoro” means “golden bread” in Italian, and the bread is typically baked in a star-shaped mold that gives it its distinctive shape. Pandoro is often enjoyed on its own, or it can be served with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce.
2. Panettone
Panettone is a sweet bread traditionally served at Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Italy. It is made with a sweet dough that contains raisins and candied fruit. The dough is typically flavored with lemon zest and vanilla, and is baked in a tall, cylindrical shape. The name “panettone” is derived from the Italian word “panetto”, which means “small bread loaf”. The bread is typically enjoyed on its own or with a cup of coffee or tea, and it can also be used as the base for other desserts, such as trifles or bread pudding. In addition to raisins and candied fruit, panettone can also be made with chocolate chips or other flavorings.
3. Panforte
Panforte is a dense, chewy cake from Siena, Italy, made with honey, nuts, and spices. It is typically served in thin slices as a dessert or a snack. The nuts and fruit used in panforte are typically candied or dried, and the cake is often flavored with cocoa and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. The name “panforte” means “strong bread” in Italian, and the cake is traditionally made with a mixture of flour, honey, and nuts, which is then flavored with spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Panforte is often enjoyed on its own or with a glass of dessert wine. It is a traditional Christmas dessert in Italy and is also often served at other special occasions.
4. Panna cotta
Panna cotta is a dessert made with heavy cream, sugar, and gelatin, which is set in a mold and served chilled. It is often flavored with fruit or liqueur. The name “panna cotta” means “cooked cream” in Italian. Panna cotta is a simple, yet elegant dessert that can be made in a variety of flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, coffee, or fruit. To make panna cotta, heavy cream and sugar are heated together until the sugar has dissolved, then flavored with a desired essence or liqueur and thickened with gelatin. The mixture is then poured into a mold and chilled until set. Panna cotta is typically served in individual ramekins or cups, and it can be garnished with fruit, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.
5. Panpepato
Panpepato is a traditional Italian dessert from the region of Umbria, made with chocolate, honey, spices, and candied fruit. It is typically shaped into a round or oval loaf and is often served at Christmas or other special occasions. The name “panpepato” means “peppered bread” in Italian, and the dessert is typically made with a mixture of flour, cocoa, honey, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. The mixture is then studded with candied fruit and shaped into a loaf or molded into individual portions. Panpepato is a dense and rich dessert, and it is typically served in thin slices with a glass of dessert wine or a cup of espresso.
6. Pasticciotto
Pasticciotto is a dessert from Puglia, Italy, made with a pastry crust and a filling of pastry cream. It is typically served cold, and is often flavored with lemon or chocolate. The pastry crust is usually made with shortcrust pastry, and the filling is made with egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Pasticciotto is a popular dessert in Puglia, and it is often served as a sweet treat in cafes and bakeries. The pastry crust is typically baked until golden and flaky, and the filling is smooth and creamy. Pasticciotto can be served on its own or garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
7. Pastiera napoletana
Pastiera is a traditional dessert made with a pastry crust and a filling of cooked wheat, ricotta cheese, and candied fruit. It is often served at Easter. The pastry crust is typically made with shortcrust pastry, and the filling is flavored with orange blossom water and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Pastiera is a labor-intensive dessert, as the filling must be prepared in advance and the pastry crust must be carefully rolled and shaped. It is a traditional Easter dessert in Italy, and it is often served as a special treat during the holiday season. Pastiera is typically served in thin slices, and it can be garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey. It is often enjoyed with a cup of espresso or a glass of dessert wine.
8. Pignolata
Pignolata is a Sicilian dessert made with deep-fried dough balls coated in honey and decorated with chopped nuts. The dough is typically made with flour, sugar, and eggs, and is flavored with anise or lemon zest. The pignolata is then deep-fried until golden brown and coated in a syrup made with honey and water. Pignolata is a traditional dessert in Sicily, and it is often served at celebrations and special occasions. The dough balls are typically small, and they are served in a large, cylindrical shape, with the chopped nuts decorating the outside. Pignolata is typically enjoyed on its own, or it can be served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
9. Pinza
Pinza is a traditional Italian dessert from the Veneto region made with a sweet dough that is flavored with raisins and pine nuts, and baked in a large, round loaf. It is often served at Christmas and other special occasions. The dough for pinza is typically made with flour, eggs, sugar, and butter, and it is flavored with raisins and pine nuts. The dough is then shaped into a large, round loaf and baked until golden and fragrant. Pinza is typically served in thin slices and is often enjoyed with a glass of dessert wine or a cup of espresso. It can also be served as part of a dessert platter, alongside other sweet treats such as cookies and pastries.
10. Pinza bolognese
Pinza bolognese is a traditional dessert from Bologna, Italy, made with a sweet dough that is flavored with raisins and pine nuts, and baked in a large, round loaf. It is similar to the Venetian dessert known as pinza. The dough for pinza bolognese is typically made with flour, eggs, sugar, and butter, and it is flavored with raisins and pine nuts. The dough is then shaped into a large, round loaf and baked until golden and fragrant. Pinza bolognese is typically served in thin slices and is often enjoyed with a glass of dessert wine or a cup of espresso. It can also be served as part of a dessert platter, alongside other sweet treats such as cookies and pastries.
11. Pistiddu
Pistiddu is a traditional dessert from the island of Sardinia. It can be made with honey, red wine and orange peel, wrapped in a thin layer of dough and baked or deep-fried until golden brown. The dough is then rolled out into a thin sheet, and small portions of the filling are placed on top. The dough is then folded over the filling to form a small package, which is then deep-fried until golden and crispy. Pistiddu is a popular dessert in Sardinia, and it is often served as a sweet treat at celebrations and special occasions. It is typically enjoyed on its own, or it can be served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
12. Pizzelle
Pizzelle are thin, crisp Italian wafer cookies made with flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. They are often flavored with anise or vanilla and are cooked in a special pizzelle iron. Pizzelle are a traditional Italian dessert, and they are often served at Christmas and other special occasions. The dough for pizzelle is made by mixing together flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, and then adding a flavor such as anise or vanilla. The dough is then spooned onto a hot pizzelle iron and cooked until golden and crispy. Pizzelle are typically enjoyed on their own, or they can be served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. They can also be rolled into a cone shape and filled with ice cream or whipped cream to make a dessert called “pizzelle con gelato” or “pizzelle con panna”.
13. Penuche
Penuche is a type of fudge made with brown sugar, butter, and milk. It is similar to traditional chocolate fudge, but it is made with brown sugar instead of granulated sugar, which gives it a distinct, caramel-like flavor. To make penuche, brown sugar, butter, and milk are combined in a saucepan and cooked until the sugar has dissolved. The mixture is then brought to a boil and stirred until it reaches the soft-ball stage. It is then removed from the heat and beaten until it becomes thick and creamy. Penuche is typically flavored with vanilla extract and may also include nuts or other ingredients such as chocolate chips or coconut. It is often served in small squares or cut into bite-sized pieces and is a popular treat at holiday gatherings and other special occasions.
