10 Easy And Irresistible Italian Mother’s Day Desserts Mom Will Love

10 Easy And Irresistible Italian Mother's Day Desserts Mom Will Love

With these irresistible Italian desserts you will give mom a Mother’s Day she will never forget. And the best part? They are easy to make and don’t require expensive kitchen equipment!


You love your mom more than anything, so why not show her by cooking up something sweet? This Mother’s Day, surprise mom with a delicious Italian dessert that looks like it came straight from a cafe in Rome or Naples. With easy recipes using ingredients you likely have on hand, like eggs, sugar, coffe, mascarpone, or lemon, you can whip up irresistible treats like tiramisu and lemon cake. She’ll think you’re the best son or daughter ever when you present her with coffee panna cotta or pistachio semifreddo. Mom gave you the gift of life, so gift her back with Italian desserts that say “I LOVE YOU” with each decadent bite.

Top 10 Irresistible Italian Desserts for Mother’s Day She’ll Love

Want to treat mom to something really special this Mother’s Day? Look no further than these classic Italian desserts. They’re deliciously easy to make but impressive enough for such a special occasion.

Mascarpone Cream with Chocolate Chips

Mascarpone Cream with Chocolate Chips

This luscious cream is lighter than chocolate mousse but richer than chocolate pudding. Simply whip mascarpone cheese with egg and sugar, and top with shaved chocolate, fresh berries or chocolate chips.

GO TO MASCARPONE CREAM RECIPE

Ricotta Zuccotto

Ricotta Zuccotto

A frozen ricotta mousse dessert molded to look like a Florentine cathedral dome. Make ricotta mousse, pour into a dome-shaped mold covered with sponge cake, and freeze.

GO TO RICOTTA ZUCCOTTO RECIPE

Sicilian Biancomangiare Vanilla Pudding

Sicilian Biancomangiare Vanilla Pudding

A very white and silky vanilla pudding ready in 5 minutes with few ingredients. Chill and top with pistachios and dark chocolate chips.

GO TO BIANCOMANGIARE RECIPE

Limoncello Tiramisu

Limoncello Tiramisu

Tiramisu gets a bright citrus twist with limoncello and lemon in place of coffee and cocoa. Layers of mascarpone mousse and savoiardi biscuits soaked in limoncello syrup, will absolutely win over your mom!

GO TO LIMONCELLO TIRAMISU RECIPE

15-minute Tiramisu Cake

15-minute Tiramisu Cake

Want to whip up something special in a flash? This tiramisu cake takes just 15 minutes to make but tastes like you spent hours. Simply blend mascarpone, sugar and heavy cream. Arrange ladyfingers vertically around the pan perimeter and on pan bottom. Add mascarpone cream and cover with cocoa powder. Your mom will never guess how easy it was!

GO TO TIRAMISU CAKE RECIPE

Italian Semifreddo with Hazelnut Praline

Italian Semifreddo with Hazelnut Praline

Semifreddo, meaning “half cold” in Italian, is a light, mousse-like frozen dessert. This version combines the richness of hazelnut praline and mascarpone cheese with the brightness of lemon juice and zest. Frozen, yet creamy, it’s a refreshing end to any Mother’s Day meal.

GO TO ITALIAN SEMIFREDDO RECIPE

Custard Amarena Cherry Tart – Amalfi Crostata

Custard Amarena Cherry Tart

A delicious shortcrust pastry holds a creamy custard filling flavored with lemon and rich of amarena cherries in syrup. Your mom is sure to appreciate this elegant and delicious Italian dessert.

GO TO AMALFI CROSTATA RECIPE

Pistachio Tiramisu

Pistachio Tiramisu

Give classic tiramisu an nutty twist by adding pistachio paste and crushed pistachios. Soak biscotti or pound cake in espresso, then layer it with a mascarpone and pistachio cream. Top it off with more crushed pistachios. Pistachio lovers won’t be able to get enough of this vibrant green dessert!

GO TO PISTACHIO TIRAMISU RECIPE

Lemon Caprese Cake

Lemon Caprese cake

Transport your mom to the Amalfi coast with this bright lemon almond cake named after the island of Capri. Almond flour gives it an airy, mousse-like crumb that melts in your mouth. Lemon zest adds a refreshing citrus kick. Decorate it with lemon slices, fresh berries, and edible flowers for a stunning presentation. A slice of this sunshine-filled cake is perfect for any springtime celebration.

GO TO LEMON CAPRESE CAKE

Coffee Panna Cotta

Coffee Panna Cotta

For the coffee-loving mom, this velvety panna cotta simply can’t be beat. Infused with freshly brewed espresso and topped with chocolate ganache, it captures the flavor of a mocha in pudding form.

GO TO COFFEE PANNA COTTA RECIPE

Mother’s Day Italian Dessert FAQs

Want to know more about the delicious Italian desserts we’ve suggested for Mother’s Day? We’ve got you covered with some common questions and answers.

Are these desserts difficult to make?

The desserts on our list are meant to be easy enough for home bakers of any skill level. Most require just a few ingredients and simple techniques. The recipes may look impressive, but they don’t require fancy equipment or chef-level skills. Have confidence that with some patience, you can recreate any of these classic Italian sweets for Mom.

Do I need to use authentic Italian ingredients?

Using high-quality, authentic ingredients will provide the best flavor, but in many cases, substitutions will work fine too. For example, you can use all-purpose flour instead of Italian 00 flour. The important thing is focusing on fresh, natural ingredients. However, for some recipes like Limoncello Tiramisu, the alcohol is essential for flavor and texture. When in doubt, check the recipe notes for how critical the Italian-sourced ingredients are.

How do I store any leftovers?

Most of these desserts will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. Cover or wrap individual portions to prevent drying out. Let cream or custard desserts chill before covering to avoid condensation build-up. For best quality, enjoy your dessert within 1 to 2 days of making it.

What wines pair well with these desserts?

Sweet dessert wines like Moscato d’Asti, Brachetto d’Acqui or Marsala are classic pairings for most of these desserts. Their fruity flavors and subtle sweetness complement the citrus, chocolate, coffee and nutty notes. For lighter desserts, a sparkling wine like Prosecco or Franciacorta also makes a lovely pairing. In general, you can’t go wrong with an Italian wine to complete the experience!

We hope this helps address some of your questions about making a perfect Italian dessert for the most important woman in your life. Let us know if you have any other questions! Happy Mother’s Day!

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