When desserts are truly excellent, there's no need to feel guilty about indulging your sweet tooth. Thanks to Francine Segan, the USA Spokesperson for the Italian Confectioners Association (whom I have affectionately nicknamed The Dolce Diva), I have been guiltlessly blissing out on the most delicious sweets from Italia. From crunchy cookies to creamy chocolates, I am amazed by the rich variety of Italian treats made using simple, fresh, and natural ingredients. Here are a few of my favorites. You can find them at your local gourmet shop or online. Mangia and take your tastebuds on a trip!
Venchi Chocolate: Founded in Turin in 1878, beautifully wrapped Venchi chocolates please the eye and seduce the palate. I've been enjoying their 75% pure extra dark chocolate - just a little square is so satisfying. Venchi's nougatine, ground and candied hazelnuts covered with chocolate, is legendary.
Vanini Chocolate: Each square of Vanini tells
a delicious story. Founded in 1946 in Lake Como, their collection includes a wonderful selection of single origin chocolates from Madagascar, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. For something really special, try the Vanini Liqueur Pearls filled with grappa, limoncello and other Italian spirits.
Falanga Cookies: Talk about buttery goodness, these all-natural Sicilian treats are
simply divine. Falanga's assortment includes an absolutely perfect Chocolate Covered Pistachio Macaroon. Falanga's Pistachio Almond Crisps won the top prize at the 2008 Parma Fancy Food Show.
Vicenzi Amarettini Cookies: Tiny and crunchy, these almond flavored cookies get their distinctive flavor from bitter apricot kernels. Not too sweet, these sophisticated little treats are addictive.
Corsini Cantuccini: We may know them as biscotti, but if 
you want to sound authentically Tuscan, call these crunchy treats cantuccini. Sure, you could have these with coffee or tea but go ahead and enjoy cantuccini Italian style and dip them in Vinsanto - a sweet, fortified Tuscan wine. The almond cantuccini are a classic but Corsini also bakes these biscuits with both chocolate and orange pieces.
P.S. To learn more about Italian desserts, read my article about Francine Segan's talk on the history of Italian sweets. For example, did you know the world famous BACI chocolates were invented by a woman?
