Italian dessert pizza, commonly referred to as pizza dolce, is a sweet pizza that makes for an excellent dessert option after a savory pizza meal. Pizza dolce is thinner and sweeter than traditional pizza, often topped with fruits, sweet sauces, nuts, and sometimes even ice cream or chocolate. While dessert pizzas are popular across Italy, some regions have their own signature sweet pizza specialties that highlight local ingredients and flavors.
What are the different types of Italian dessert pizza?
There are many delicious varieties of Italian dessert pizza to discover. Here are some of the most popular types:
- Pizza Nutella – Topped with the famous chocolate-hazelnut spread and sometimes fresh bananas or strawberries.
- Pizza Frutti di Bosco – Topped with mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
- Pizza Dolce di Ricotta – Topped with sweetened ricotta cheese and citrus zest.
- Pizzagaina – A specialty in Romagna, made with a sweet yeast dough topped with fresh fruit.
- Pizza Paradiso – Made with melted chocolate, fresh pears, and sometimes cream or ricotta cheese.
- Pizza con Panna – Topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh fruit or chocolate.
The dough for dessert pizza is typically made a bit thinner and sweeter than traditional pizza dough. But the classic Neapolitan pizza dough can also work well as a base. The toppings are only limited by one’s imagination and access to quality ingredients!
What are some iconic regional dessert pizzas in Italy?
Some of the most iconic Italian dessert pizzas hail from specific regions where they were invented and perfected. Here are some local sweet pizza specialties to seek out:
Sfincione – Sicily
Sfincione is a thick, spongy Sicilian pizza with origins dating back to the Arab rule of the island. The rich sweet pizza is topped with a crema di ricotta sauce, candied fruit, nuts, and sometimes chocolate or honey.
Pizzagaina – Romagna
As mentioned earlier, the Pizzagaina is a specialty of the Romagna region. It’s prepared with a sweet yeast dough topped with fresh fruit like peaches, figs, or berries. Some versions also incorporate nuts, crema, or chocolate.
Pizza Ebraica – Rome
The Pizza Ebraica or ‘Jewish Pizza’ is a roman dessert pizza topped with dried fruit, pine nuts, raisins, and sultanas. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and almonds are also sometimes added.
Pizza Dolce di Ricotta – Sicily
While dessert pizzas with ricotta can be found across Italy, the Pizza Dolce di Ricotta is a signature specialty of Sicily. It combines the island’s excellent sheep’s milk ricotta cheese with sweet flavors like citrus zest, pistachios, figs, or chocolate chips.
Pizzette Fritte – Calabria
These fried dessert pizzettes are found across southern Italy but are especially popular in Calabria. Small rounds of yeasted dough are fried and then topped with nutella, caramel, granulated sugar, jam, ricotta, or other sweet ingredients.
What ingredients are commonly used on Italian dessert pizzas?
Italian dessert pizzas bring together unique flavor combinations of fruits, nuts, creams, chocolates, and more. Here are some of the most popular ingredients used:
- Fresh fruit – Strawberries, bananas, pears, figs, peaches, grapes, cherries, etc.
- Dried fruit – Raisins, dates, apricots, figs, etc.
- Chocolate – Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate sauce, chocolate hazelnut spread.
- Cream and ricotta – Sweetened mascarpone, ricotta, pastry cream, whipped cream.
- Nuts – Almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts.
- Sweet sauces – Caramel, chocolate fudge, fruit preserves, Nutella.
- Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla.
Italians use high quality, seasonal ingredients to create the most flavorful dessert pizzas. Fresh fruit really shines during summer months, while nuts and chocolate are perfect toppings during colder months. The options are endless!
What makes the crust different on a dessert pizza?
A tender, lightly sweetened dough makes the perfect base for dessert pizzas. Here are some tips for great dessert pizza crust:
- Enrich the dough with ingredients like milk, eggs, butter or oil to add flavor and tenderness.
- Add a touch of sugar or honey to slightly sweeten the crust.
- Use fine 00 pizza flour for a tender crumb structure.
- Roll or stretch the dough a bit thinner than regular pizza.
- Brush edges with egg wash or milk for enhanced browning.
A thin, delicate crust allows the sweet toppings to shine and prevents the pizza from being too bready or dry. Dessert pizzas are meant to be eaten with a fork and knife, so a thinner base works well.
What dessert drinks pair well with Italian dessert pizzas?
Dessert pizzas call for drinks that complement the sweetness and fruits. Here are some delicious Italian dessert beverage pairings:
- Sparkling wine – Sweet sparklers like Moscato d’Asti or Prosecco.
- Dessert wine – Vin Santo, Passito di Pantelleria.
- Fruit juice – Blood orange, peach, pear, grape.
- Coffee drinks – Cappuccino, caffe latte, iced latte.
- Herbal tea – Chamomile, lavender, rooibos.
- Sweet liqueurs – Amaretto, limoncello, Frangelico.
The fruits and flavors on the pizza will help guide the ideal pairing. For example, chocolate and hazelnut pizzas pair wonderfully with orange juice or amaretto. Fresh berry pizzas complement floral teas or sparkling Moscato.
Where can you find dessert pizzas in Italy?
Sweet pizzas make for a great dessert at many local pizzerias across Italy. Some locations known for excellent dessert pizzas include:
- Da Michele – Historic pizzeria in Naples featuring the Nutella pizza with strawberries.
- Pizzeria Bedognè – Local pizza chain in Milan offering fruit and chocolate dessert pizzas.
- Pizzeria Da Zero – Pizzeria in Rome serving the Jewish style Pizza Ebraica.
- Settebello – Neapolitan pizza chain with locations across Italy and sweet pizzas on the menu.
- La Braciera – Upscale Tuscan restaurant chain with locations all over Italy and unique dessert pizzas.
Many Italians also enjoy baking sweet pizzas at home for family gatherings or holidays. Pizza dolce is commonly served at celebrations like birthdays, holidays, or for dessert at large family meals.
How do you make dessert pizza at home?
Making dessert pizza at home is totally possible with a little creativity! Here is a simple process to follow:
- Make the dough – Prepare a sweet yeasted pizza dough using sugar and milk or eggs to enrich it.
- Shape the crust – On a floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a thin, round crust. Transfer to a pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Partially bake – Bake at 450F for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. Cool slightly.
- Add toppings – Spread or artfully arrange desired sweet toppings like Nutella, ricotta, fruit, etc.
- Finish baking – Bake another 5-10 minutes until toppings are bubbly and crust is golden.
- Slice and serve – Allow to cool 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar or dust with powdered cocoa before serving for an extra touch. Get the whole family involved in topping their own personal mini dessert pizzas.
What are some key tips for making dessert pizza?
Here are some top tips to master sweet pizza-making at home:
- Use high quality ingredients – Fresh fruit, real chocolate, imported Italian 00 pizza flour, etc.
- Stretch the dough very thin – Thinner crust means better structure and crispiness.
- Partially bake the crust first – This prevents a soggy base.
- Cool slightly before slicing – Letting the fats solidify makes cleaner slices.
- Use a sharp pizza cutter – Avoid tearing the toppings with a dull blade.
- Store leftovers refrigerated – Tightly wrap and consume within 2-3 days.
Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild with combinations. The idea is to have fun and create something delicious and beautiful!
What are some creative dessert pizza ideas and recipes to try at home?
From fruit pizzas to chocolate creations, there are endless sweet pizza possibilities! Here are just a few creative ideas to spark inspiration for your own dessert pizza recipes:
Berry Cheesecake Pizza
Top pizza crust with sweetened cream cheese, then fresh blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Drizzle with honey and add a crumble streusel topping before baking.
Apple Pie Pizza
Spread homemade apple pie filling over crust, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, add dollops of ricotta cheese, and bake until bubbly.
S’mores Pizza
Top pre-baked pizza crust with melted chocolate and marshmallows. Finish off with crushed graham crackers.
Banana Cream Pizza
Layer sliced bananas over crust, top with fresh whipped cream and vanilla pudding, then dust with crushed vanilla wafers before serving.
Lemon Blueberry Pizza
Spread lemon curd on crust, top with fresh blueberries and tangy soft cheese like mascarpone or ricotta. Garnish with lemon zest.
Conclusion
Italian dessert pizzas open up a whole new sweet horizon after dining on savory pies. Regional specialties like Sicily’s sfincione and Romagna’s pizzagaina offer delicious local flavors. Classic versions like the ever-popular Nutella pizza can satisfy any sweet tooth. With a tender, lightly enriched dough as the base, the possibilities for creative fruit, nut, chocolate, and cream dessert pizzas are endless. Served with a sparkling Moscato or frothy cappuccino, pizza dolce is the perfect way to end an Italian feast.