Must-Try Roman Desserts: A Sweet Guide to Ancient Rome’s Best Treats

Before moving to Rome, I was more concerned with the likes of carbonara, suppli, and cacio e pepe, and other Italian foods than with Roman desserts. After years of calling this city home, it’s safe to say that things have changed!

The city’s saccharine delights are an integral part of my Rome food tours, and they always leave a lasting impression on like-minded foodies. I firmly believe that sampling traditional and modern Roman desserts is a cultural and culinary experience not to be missed.

Of all the delightful goodies that hail from the City of Seven Hills, these are the Roman desserts that are in a class of their own.

Exploring Rome’s Sweet Traditions  

The Romans have quite a track record when it comes to sweet treats. Many of the confections that were popular throughout Ancient Rome and the Medieval period have stood the test of time and continue to be enjoyed in some form today.

This is evident in how natural sweeteners, such as honey and fruits, are sometimes utilized in many desserts in Roman cuisine, and simple preparation techniques are often favored.

Having said that, the concept of dessert as a sweet course that follows the main meal didn’t exist in the past. Instead, Romans would tuck into sugary goods as part of their meal or as an energizing snack during the day.

Must-Try Roman Sweets

Maritozzi

This Roman favorite is among the most indulgent breakfast staples you’ll find in the city. It consists of thick whipped cream stuffed inside a soft brioche bun sweetened with honey and orange zest.

Although the ingredients have changed over the years, maritozzi have been around in some form since Ancient Rome, when they served as filling snacks for laborers.

Tozzetti 

I’ve always been a lover of biscotti, but their slightly smaller counterparts, tozzetti, blow them out of the water! These twice-baked cookies are packed with almonds and hazelnuts and are perfectly sweet and crunchy.

Both biscotti and tozzetti have long been believed to be native to Tuscany, but they can be traced back to Ancient Rome.

Crostata di Ricotta e Visciole 

One of the most popular Roman desserts, crostata di ricotta e visciole, otherwise known as cherry and ricotta cake, is an incredibly delicious concoction. Underneath the layer of buttery pastry are hearty helpings of sour cherry jam and creamy ricotta. 

This dish was created by the Jewish-Roman community. In the 1700s, they were forbidden from dairy products, so they got creative and hid the ricotta under the crust.

Castagnole

Castagnole are fried dough balls dusted in sugar that are famed for their light center and crisp exterior.

I’ve only managed to find these during Carnival, but they have been synonymous with Lazio since the 18th century. Their name means ‘small chestnuts,’ earned due to their size and shape.

Frappe

 

This specific Roman dessert recipe doesn’t refer to the milkshake-like coffees we all know and love! In the Italian capital, frappe are strips of airy and sugary deep-fried dough.

Another Carnival classic, frappe, started as egg and spelt flour fritters around 2,000 years ago. Despite changes to the original formula, they’ve remained popular ever since.

Where to Find Authentic Roman Sweets in Rome 

Il Maritozzaro

Photo credit: Il Maritozzaro

Il Maritozzaro is tucked between the Trastevere and Portuense neighborhoods. Although it’s set in a vintage-looking building, it’s quite a modern bakery.

They whip up dozens of pastry varieties each day, but maritozzi are their specialty. No matter how often I visit, I’m always wowed by their vanilla-flavored cream and rich brioche buns.

Il Maritozzaro (€) – Via Ettore Rolli, 50, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 6:30 am to 2:00 am.

Pasticceria Boccione

I’ve tried quite a few cherry and ricotta tarts in my time, but none compare to those available in Regola‘s pint-sized Pasticceria Boccione.

The mix of tart cherries and mild ricotta was terrific, as they balanced each other beautifully. Even though I was more excited about the fillings, the pastry was just as tasty and had a subtle sweetness to it.

Pasticceria Boccione (€) – Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Sunday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, closed every Saturday.

Forno Monteforte

Photo credit: Forno Monteforte

Forno Monteforte is a bustling bakery near Piazza Navona. They actually have a range of sweet and savory goods, but seeing as I was here around Carnival, I decided to try out their castagnole.

Each dough ball was so lightweight I could easily have kept eating them. While the outside was firm and sugar-coated, the inside was spongy with a hint of citrus.

Forno Monteforte (€) – Via del Pellegrino, 129, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm.

Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti

Photo credit: Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti

For tozzetti, biscotti, and any other type of Italian cookie you can imagine, Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti inTrastevere is a must-visit.

I’ve been recommending this place to friends since I first stopped by a few months back. Their tozzetti have the most delectable blend of toasted almonds and warm hazelnuts, giving them chunky consistency.

Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti (€) – Via della Luce, 21, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, closed every Sunday.

Pasticceria Valentini

Photo credit: Pasticceria Valentini

Pasticceria Valentini is a little out of the city center in Monte Sacro, and this stylish spot is a true hidden gem for Roman desserts.

I was in the area towards the end of Carnival, meaning I was fortunate enough to snag some frappe here. They ticked all the boxes, between the gentle crunch, generous dousing of icing sugar, and mellow lemony notes.

Pasticceria Valentini (€) – Via Conca d’Oro, 288, 00141 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm .

Conclusion

The blend of Ancient Roman sweets and traditional Italian desserts that populate the bakeries and pastry shops is what makes Rome such an enticing spot for tempting treats. Even if you’re not typically drawn to confections, these Roman desserts might just change your mind!

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Best food in Italy. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/guides/best-food-in-italy/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Rome. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/rome/

TripAdvisor. (n.d.). Bar il Maritozzaro. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d3240439-Reviews-Bar_il_Maritozzaro-Rome_Lazio.html

TripAdvisor. (n.d.). Pasticceria Boccione. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g187791-d2358692-Reviews-Pasticceria_Boccione-Rome_Lazio.html

Forno Monteforte. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://fornomonteforte.com/

TripAdvisor. (n.d.). Biscottificio Innocenti. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d2328022-Reviews-Biscottificio_Innocenti-Rome_Lazio.html

TripAdvisor. (n.d.). Valentini Pasticceria Cucina. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d3642740-Reviews-Valentini_Pasticceria_Cucina-Rome_Lazio.html