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Having married an Italian, I have become quite an expert on Italian desserts. Granted, I had already fallen in love with tiramisu and gelato, but have since added delightful honey nougats and biscotti to my list. Here is a mere sampling of some wonderful desserts hailing from the beautiful country of Italy.

Gelato is one of the best desserts to represent Italy. Like most of Italy's culinary masterpieces, the key to Gelato perfection comes from quality ingredients. Richer than typical ice cream, Gelato has less butterfat that ice cream but intesely holds flavors creating a refreshing and sinfully rich treat. Some of the best flavors come from fresh local fruit like oranges, strawberries, and figs. Coffee is another favorite as well as chocolate and even wine.

Biscotti has become very popular with the emergence of coffee houses. These sweet and crunchy cakes are perfect snacks and after dinner delights. Biscotti means cooked twice and is the reason for the crisp texture of these sweet bread cookies. Usually served with coffee, they come in many flavors including almond, chocolate, anise, and about a million other creations.

Almond Torrone are wonderful little nougat candies flavored with various citrus or just almond. The nougat is a simple mix of honey, whipped egg whites, and almonds. It is difficult to make and so is often given as a special gift or incorporated into extravagant cakes for weddings and other celebrations.

Pizzelles are becoming more common with Italian delis and specialty shops selling the pizzelle irons used to make the cookies. These traditionally anise-flavored treats come in other flavors like chocolate, vanilla, almond, and lemon. Like biscotti, they are perfect with tea, coffee, or a cappuccino.

Tiramisu is one of the most popular Italian desserts. Beginning as a custard-like bread pudding, mascarpone cheese is now used for a light and refreshing change. With ingredients like lady fingers drowned in brandy or Kaluha, mascarpone cheese, espresso, cocoa, and whipping cream,decadence has a new name. It is devil-be-warned good, but remains light and airy. For the foodie,it is truly a creation equal to David or the Mona Lisa.

Italy is known for beautiful countrysides filled with generations of amazing culinary delights. The desserts of Italy offer pure indulgence for anyone who loves the feeling of a sweet so good, you check your pulse to make sure you're still on Earth.

Learn more about this author, Vivian Nelson Melle.
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