Cooking with Manuela
Step-by-step, Quick Italian recipes (but not only), Cooking Tips and More. Get Inspired and Get Creative!
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Espresso Brownies with Mascarpone Cream
Rich, chocolatey, and irresistibly creamy — these Tiramisù-Style Brownie Bars bring together two favorites in one indulgent bite. A fudgy espresso-infused brownie forms the base, topped with a light and velvety mascarpone cream and a dusting of cocoa powder
If you love tiramisu and you love brownies, this dessert is about to become a new favorite.
Imagine a dense, fudgy espresso brownie with deep chocolate flavor, topped with a cloud of lightly sweetened mascarpone cream and finished with a generous dusting of cocoa powder.
Every bite is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced—like tiramisu, but in brownie form.
Elegant enough for guests, yet simple enough to make just because you’re craving something special.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Poached Pear Puff Pastries with Chocolate Filling
Delicate, flaky puff pastry topped with tender cinnamon-poached pears and a hidden chocolate spread for a sweet surprise. These elegant pastries are simple to make yet feel truly special—perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Flaky, golden puff pastry, tender pears gently poached with vanilla and cinnamon, and a hidden spoonful of chocolate that melts into the fruit as it bakes—these Poached Pear Puff Pastries are one of those desserts that feel bakery-worthy but are surprisingly easy to make at home.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Italian Hot Chocolate Affogato (Affogato alla Cioccolata Calda)
This Italian Hot Chocolate Affogato is a decadent twist on the classic espresso affogato. Instead of coffee, creamy gelato is “drowned” in dense, silky cioccolata calda, creating the ultimate hot-and-cold dessert that’s rich, comforting, and irresistibly indulgent
This post is written in collaboration with Sammontana. All opinions are mine alone.
If you love affogato AND chocolate, this recipe is about to steal your heart!
Traditionally, an affogato is a simple yet magical Italian dessert: a scoop of gelato “drowned” in hot espresso. It’s one of those effortless combinations where hot meets cold and somehow becomes more than the sum of its parts. But today, I’m sharing a twist that feels even more indulgent, cozy, and downright irresistible.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Italian Pistachio Cookies - Pasticcini al Pistacchio - Gluten-Free Recipe
For all the pistachio lovers - these cookies are for you: soft, chewy, naturally gluten-free, easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
If you love pistachios, these cookies are just what you're looking for!
Soft, a little chewy, delicately crackled on the outside, and bursting with pistachio flavor, these Pasticcini al Pistacchio are the kind of treat you make once—and then find yourself dreaming about again and again. And again!
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Pistachio-Orange Biscotti made with Olive Oil
A crisp, fragrant pistachio and orange biscotti made without butter—just light olive oil for a smooth, delicate texture. Double-baked for the perfect crunch and finished with a white chocolate drizzle.
If you love classic Italian biscotti, you’re going to fall head over heels for this bright and festive twist. I’ve already shared my recipe for traditional almond biscotti (LINK) but today I’m bringing you a new version that’s just as crunchy and irresistible—Pistachio & Orange Biscotti made with extra-virgin olive oil instead of butter.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Pizza Salsiccia e Patatine (Sausage and Fries Pizza)
A soft, thick-crust pizza loaded with rich tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and golden sautéed sausage slices, then finished with crispy shoestring fries and a sprinkle of parsley. Comforting, hearty, and absolutely irresistible.
This post is written in collaboration with Frigidaire. All opinions are mine alone.
If you grew up in Italy, you already know this nostalgic classic: pizza topped with juicy Italian sausage and crispy patatine fritte. It’s fun, comforting, and absolutely irresistible.
Today I’m sharing my homemade version—soft, chewy, and loaded with all the flavors we love—along with my best tips for working with pizza dough, choosing the right ingredients, and baking like a pro, whether you’re using the Frigidaire Stone-Baked Pizza Mode or a regular oven and pizza stone.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Rounds with Zesty Yogurt
These Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Rounds with a zesty yogurt topping and fresh green onions are an easy, flavorful, and beautifully caramelized side dish perfect for holidays, parties, or everyday snacking.
Here is my latest addiction. These roasted Japanese sweet potato rounds topped with creamy yogurt, a touch of honey, and fresh green onions are everything I want in a snack, appetizer, or side dish: simple, bright, cozy, and a little bit irresistible.
They’re the perfect way to serve sweet potatoes in a fun, beautiful, and totally shareable way — ideal for holiday parties, Thanksgiving tables, family dinners, or those moments when you just want something delicious all to yourself. And the best part? They’re incredibly easy and quick to make.
Monday, November 17, 2025
Easy and Moist Cranberry Orange Crumble Cake
Moist and bright with fresh cranberry-orange flavor, this easy crumble-topped cake comes together in minutes and bakes up perfectly soft, sweet, and irresistible.
If you’re searching for the perfect holiday bake — something festive, bright, and incredibly delicious — this Cranberry Orange Crumble Cake is exactly what you need.
It has a wonderfully soft, tender crumb, bursting with fresh orange zest and juicy cranberries, and it’s topped with a buttery crumble that bakes up golden and crisp. The contrast of textures is irresistible, and the flavor is the ideal balance of sweet, tart, and cozy. And let me tell you, the aroma that fills the kitchen as it bakes is reason enough to make it!