Notes about Recipes in this book

• Tiny peach & almond cookies with ricotta cream

  • Astrid5555 on September 06, 2022

    Despite their intimidating looks these cookies are quite quick and easy to make. Make sure not to overfill them with the ricotta cream, otherwise it is very difficult to dip them into the tinted Amaretto. I used both Alchermes and red food colouring to create the red tint, Alchermes alone did not create the peachy colour. On top of their looks, they are also delicious and were a big hit at the dinner party I brought them to.

• Semolina shortbread

  • Astrid5555 on May 21, 2024

    More crunchy than crumbly, still delicious!

• Fig & red wine crostata

  • Astrid5555 on September 11, 2021

    What a delicious fall recipe. Had too many figs from the market so was looking for something to whip up quickly for coffee and this one absolutely fit the bill. Figs were macerated in some red wine while the dough was chilling (leftover juices were a delicious treat for the baker). I added some ground almonds on top of the rolled-out dough before topping it with the macerated figs to soak up any leftover juices, worked beautifully.

• Citrus, Campari & yoghurt upside-down cake

  • anniecc on August 17, 2022

    This is a terrific recipe. I substituted Aperol for Campari and it came out great.

• Almond, ricotta, olive oil & lemon drizzle cake

  • Lepa on September 27, 2021

    This is lovely but with the drizzle and icing it is sweet. Tart and sweet, so it's good but not as much of a breakfast cake as other ricotta cakes.

• The one true apple cake

  • Astrid5555 on January 04, 2022

    This one - together with Dorie Greenspan’s Marie-Helene‘s Apple Cake - are the only two apple cakes you really need, both are quick to make and real crowd pleasers.

  • anniecc on August 17, 2022

    My family liked this cake a lot. Unlike many apple cake recipes it doesn't have spices, so the apple flavour really comes through. It would have been helpful if the author had stated the weight of apples rather than just the number, as apples can vary considerably in size. The ones I used were quite large and they made the cake quite moist and dense, although not unpleasantly so. Also, the author refers to 'pouring' the batter into a tin. Mine didn't really have a pouring consistency, it was more like a wet dough. However it came out perfectly once baked.

  • MollyPellecchia on February 16, 2026

    I used 3 golden delicious + 2 honey crisps & 00 flour. A bit worried when the oven began to smoke. Not sure if the springform pan was leaking from the bottom or the cake dripped a bit as it rose. Note to bake it on a cookie sheet next time. And there will be a next time. Moist, delicate & not a bit of over sweetness. Not sure why my baking time was so off. It needed almost 20 extra min. Maybe the pan?

• Yossy’s olive oil, rosemary & yoghurt cake

  • Crisrose on July 27, 2023

    This cake is a simple and delicious, not too sweet creation that is perfect for a morning tea or similar occasion. It keeps really well. Can be served unadorned or with yoghurt or cream alongside.

• Tiramisù

  • amy_3ah1cl on June 03, 2026

    Really lovely recipe and gorgeous flavour though do keep an eye on whipping your egg whites as I did overdo these and they were slightly dry which gave the texture a bit of a grainy feel. Tasted fine though. I halved the recipe and got three individual portions.

• Whipped coffee & ricotta instant mousse

  • Astrid5555 on December 18, 2021

    This is a light quick and easy make ahead dessert, which tastes absolutely delicous. I added some coffee-soaked leftove cake scraps for an added coffee punch.

• Salted caramel truffles

  • KatieK1 on February 15, 2022

    Amazing. Made them to celebrate Valentine's Day. Actually made about 41 using a melon baller.

• Wrap Your Lips Around This

  I’ve had the best time making delicious Italian desserts from La Vita E Dolce. Every cake has been scrumptious... All in all, La Vita E Dolce is a gorgeous cookbook with brilliant dessert recipes.

  Full review