There’s nothing like a rich and creamy lasagna to scratch that itch! But what about dessert, though? If you’re looking for a refreshing treat to cleanse your palate, you’ve come to the right place. When I’m making lasagna for lunch or dinner, I also make sure to have a dessert prepared. Lasagna is super hearty and loaded with umami flavors that you’ll definitely want something light and sweet to contrast its richness! From Italian classics such as gelato and biscotti to American favorites such as fruit salad and Sprite cake, these desserts will surely delight your taste buds. End your Italian meal on a sweet note with these luscious desserts.
1. Gelato
Ah, gelato: the quintessential Italian dessert. Can there be a more fitting way to end your lasagna dinner than with a cool, refreshing scoop of gelato? I don’t think so. This homemade version uses cornstarch to ensure this frozen confection firms up nicely, making it dense and easily scoopable. You’ll need milk, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and the not-so-secret ingredient: cornstarch. No ice cream maker? No problem! You won’t need one for this recipe.
2. Florentine Cookies
Florentine cookies are another fantastic Italian confection. These cookies are loaded with chopped almonds, orange rinds, and vanilla, giving you one heck of a flavor combination. They’re also sandwich cookies, by the way, with a decadent chocolate filling in between. They’re crisp and crumbly, nutty, and chocolatey with a citrus twist. How amazing is that?
3. Fruit Salad
This salad gives you the most fantastic medley of fruits for that perfect sweet ending to your meal. I’m talking kiwi, grapes, pineapple, and a whole lot of berries. Drizzled with honey and topped with fresh mint leaves, this fruit salad could not be any more refreshing.
4. Vanilla Ice Cream
Who needs store-bought ice cream when you can make one at home? This recipe only calls for whole milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. The result is the creamiest, tastiest vanilla ice cream you’ve ever had. You can enjoy it as is or top it with crushed candy, cookies, or nuts. You also can’t go wrong with a drizzle of warm chocolate or caramel syrup!
5. Mini-Berry Tarts
Mini berry tarts are charming single-serve desserts complete with a buttery crust, smooth custard filling, and fresh berries on top. These treats are a definite show-stopper! They’re also very light and refreshing, which makes them a wonderful dessert to follow a hearty lasagna dinner.
6. Fruit Sorbet
Fruit sorbet may not be as rich and creamy as ice cream, but it makes a light and refreshing treat after a heavy meal. It’s delicious, healthy, and also easy to make. It’s so easy, in fact, that all you’ll need are three ingredients: sugar syrup, lemon juice, and your favorite fruit!
7. Cannolis
Cannolis are a classic Italian dessert with a crunchy exterior and a silky smooth interior. These cylindrical treats have the perfect balance of texture and flavor! If you are intimidated to make this dessert, don’t be. They’re actually a cinch to make. The filling is a simple combination of ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and mini-chocolate chips, while the shells are available in most grocery stores.
8. Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is a fancy Italian dessert that’s both light and creamy at the same time. It’s basically an elevated version of gelatin, and it’s awesome. You can enjoy panna cotta as-is, or top it with whatever fresh fruits you have on hand. Yum!
9. Lemon Drop Cookies
Lemon drop cookies are crisp and melt-in-your-mouth tender with a wonderful lemon flavor. You’ll definitely want to make room for this dessert! The cookies are already enjoyable on their own, but the lemon glaze makes them even more spectacular. It has a sweet and tangy flavor and a mild crunch that really takes these cookies over the top.
10. Biscotti
Biscotti is a wonderfully dense and crunchy Italian cookie. This recipe is made even more delicious by adding pistachios and a hint of cardamom. Sure, it’s not the easiest out of all the recipes on this list, but hey, it’s worth it.
11. Canestrelli
Canestrelli are Italian shortbread cookies shaped like flowers. They’re delicate, crumbly, and oh-so-addictive. You’ll also find it very interesting that canestrelli calls for a strange ingredient: hard-boiled egg yolk! I was just as surprised as you are. But yes, hard-boiled egg yolks are what make these cookies ridiculously soft, crumbly, and a definite must-try.
12. Lemon Sour Cream Cake
This classic dessert combines lemons and sour cream to make one irresistible cake. Lemon sour cream cake has the perfect balance of flavor. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, thanks to the acidity from the lemons. Because of the sour cream, this cake is also insanely moist! It’s so good, one slice might not be enough.
13. Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti cookies are soft and chewy cookies made with almond flour. They’re a classic holiday cookie, but also easy enough to make any day. Oh, they’re also gluten-free, to boot, meaning more people can enjoy them. Hurray!
14. Italian Hug Cookies
Italian hug cookies, or abbracci, are buttery, crumbly cookies with a yin yang-ish design. On the one half it’s white, the other it’s dark. It’s the perfect mash-up of flavors, and I’m here for it. It’s perfect for those who can’t decide whether they’re on team vanilla or chocolate!
15. Sprite Cake
Sprite cake is a classic American lemon-lime cake with a sweet and sticky glaze. The cake base is made of yellow cake, so spongy and moist. It’s simple on its own, but the glaze takes it to the next level with its sweet and tangy flavor.
16. Limoncello Cake
Limoncello cake is a stunning dessert consisting of sponge cake, a lemon curd filling, and a mascarpone and cream cheese frosting. Seriously, you guys, you have to try this cake. The cake isn’t only light and fluffy, but is also soaked in limoncello syrup! It’s so light and airy, it’s like biting into a cloud. The lemon curd filling is stunning as well. This smooth, creamy-tangy custard adds a wonderful texture contrast to the airy cake. Then there’s the frosting. My goodness. Cream cheese and mascarpone in one creamy, fluffy treat? I won’t mind eating it on its own! Together, they create a harmony of tastes and textures that will give your taste buds so much joy.
17. Cappuccino
Are your eyelids feeling a little too heavy after eating a plate of lasagna? I know just the cure: a hot cup of cappuccino. Cappuccino is a blend of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. It’s such a simple recipe, so why go to Starbucks to get one? Be your own barista and make yourself this creamy treat! Click on a star to rate it!
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