We've just discovered a fabulous new Italian website, DolceItalia.com, dedicated excusively to authentic Italian sweets and dessert wines. How do we say, “Save room for dessert” in Italian?!

Here are some interesting food tips from the site:

Cookies ‘n milk are so last decade. In Italy, they pair dessert wines with sweets. Italians love combos like Tuscan cantucci with vin santo and Sicilian pistachio cookies by Falanga paired with grappa. They enjoy chocolate and cake pairings, too.

One of Italy’s most popular Easter desserts is Colomba, which means “dove.” It’s a dove-shaped sweet yeast cake with a soft and delicate texture, filled with candied orange peels and topped with almonds and sugar grains. It’s delicious!

Here are some Italian sweets recipes you can try that are perfect for spring:

Truffles with a Hint of Violet
-Courtesy of Asti docg

These are the most aromatic and easy-to-make chocolate treats you’ll ever taste. The touch of floral comes from the delicious tiny Italian violet candies made by Pastiglie Leone, but you can substitute one of their other flavored candies, too. Raspberry, lemon, and strawberry are delicious.

Makes about 24 truffles

Ingredients:

6 ounces Italian dark chocolate, such as Perugina, Vanini or Venchi

2 egg yolks

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons Asti Spumante docg

Pastiglie Leone violet candies, crushed

Preparation:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the chocolate over a large saucepan of boiling water stirring until the chocolate melts. Still working over the boiling water, beat in the egg yolks. 

2. Remove from  heat and stir in the butter until well combined and then stir in the Asti Spumante docg.

3. Put the chocolate mixture in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours until firm.

4. Form the chocolate into olive sized balls, rolling them in your palms. Dust with crushed candied violet petals or crushed Pastiglie Leone violet candies and arrange on a serving plate.

5. Serve with a glass of Asti Spumante docg.

Go to the next page for Baci Pie...