How to Make Authentic Cannoli Siciliani at Home

Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these homemade Cannoli Siciliani are the perfect taste of Italy! Made with golden fried shells and a sweet ricotta filling speckled with chocolate chips and pistachios — a truly irresistible Italian classic

I’m super excited to share this recipe with you today! It’s such a true Italian classic that I honestly don’t know why I haven’t shared it with you before. It’s also one of the very first recipes in my new cookbook, Never Say Never to Dolce. After months of work, it’s finally on presale! Never Say Never to Dolce is a collection of dessert recipes that I haven’t shared in my other book,  Manuela’s Sweet Temptations.  In this new book, I’m sharing all the sweets I love most — from classic Italian recipes to biscotti and dolcetti, cakes and tarts, spoonable desserts, and even a section of gluten-free treats, because everyone should be able to enjoy a little something sweet. Thank you all so much for your support — I truly wouldn’t be here without you. Make sure to order your copy now so you’ll receive it before the holidays. Pre-order here. 

My Latest Cookbook: Never Say Never to Dolce

 Never Say Never to Dolce — My New Cookbook Is Here! 

I’m beyond excited to finally share this news with you! After months of baking, testing, writing (and tasting way too many desserts!), it’s finally time to announce my brand-new cookbook:

Never Say Never to Dolce!

This book is a true labor of love — a collection of 50 brand-new dessert recipes that you won’t find in my previous book, Manuela’s Sweet Temptations. From the most beloved Italian classics to rustic cakes and crostate, delicate cookies and pastries, and creamy spoonable desserts, this book celebrates the sweeter side of life, one irresistible recipe at a time. And yes, there’s even a chapter dedicated to gluten-free dolci, because everyone deserves a little something sweet!

Each recipe is simple, approachable, and created with love — perfect for home bakers who want to bring a touch of Italian magic into their kitchens. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a celebration, or just because, these desserts are meant to make every moment feel special.

✨ Never Say Never to Dolce is available for preorder now! ✨

Make sure to order your copy before the holidays, so you’ll be ready to bake your way through the sweetest season of the year.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes stories, and some of my favorite recipes from the book — so stay tuned and bake along with me!

With amore,

Manuela

Classic Torta Tenerina — Italian Flourless Chocolate Cake

Delicate on the outside and irresistibly fudgy inside, this classic chocolate cake from Ferrara is pure Italian indulgence. Made with just a few simple ingredients — rich dark chocolate, butter, eggs, and sugar — Torta Tenerina, as the name suggests,  has a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center and a thin, crackly crust. It’s the kind of cake that feels both rustic and elegant, perfect with a dusting of powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream

If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a chocolate cake that feels like a soft, cloud-like dream, then Torta Tenerina is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. 

Its name says it all — “tenerina” in Italian means soft — and this cake lives up to that promise with every forkful. With a delicate, crackly top and a rich, fudgy interior, it’s intensely chocolatey, irresistibly tender, and surprisingly light.

Authentic Spaghetti all’Assassina Recipe – Spicy and Garlicky and Perfectly Charred Italian Pasta

Spaghetti all’Assassina is a spicy and garlicky, bold and fiery Italian pasta, cooked directly in a rich tomato sauce until lightly charred for a smoky, caramelized flavor. A must-try!

This post is written in collaboration with Colavita. All opinions are mine alone.

Saucy, spicy, and a little bit dangerous — meet Spaghetti all’Assassina! 🇮🇹 This fiery Southern Italian pasta is bold, crispy, and unlike any spaghetti you’ve ever made. 

“Spaghetti all’Assassina,” or *Assassin’s Spaghetti,* proves that sometimes it pays to break the rules! Instead of boiling the pasta in water, the spaghetti cooks right in a spicy tomato sauce until it’s perfectly al dente, slightly charred, and packed with flavor. The result? A dish that’s smoky, crispy at the edges, and completely irresistible.

Easy No-Knead Caprese Focaccia with Burrata, Pesto & Balsamic Glaze

Fluffy no-knead focaccia topped with juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata, fresh pesto, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze — a Caprese twist that’s as easy as it is irresistible.

This post is written in collaboration with Colavia. All opinions are mine alone.

If you love the flavors of a classic Caprese salad, you’re going to adore this Italian Easy No-Knead Caprese Focaccia. 

Soft, airy, and golden, this focaccia is bursting with flavor thanks to a slow, overnight rise that develops a tender, pillowy interior and a crispy, olive oil–kissed crust. 

What makes it so good is the combination of simple, high-quality ingredients—Colavita extra virgin olive oil, ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata, fresh pesto, and sweet balsamic glaze—layered on top of a perfectly airy bread. 

It’s the ultimate blend of fresh Italian flavors in every bite, yet it’s surprisingly easy to make.

Flaky Almond Frangipane Puff Pastries

Flaky puff pastry filled with rich almond frangipane, topped with toasted almonds and powdered sugar—easy to make, elegant, and irresistibly delicious.

If you love almond croissants but don’t want to spend hours making laminated dough, these flaky almond frangipane puff pastries are the perfect alternative. 

Crispy, buttery, and filled with rich almond cream, they’re everything you could want in a pastry—without the fuss. 

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, they deliver that almond croissant experience with a fraction of the effort. Absolutely everyone will love them!

Zesty Lemon Blondies Recipe

Bright, buttery, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor, these lemon blondies are the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. Soft, chewy, and slightly tangy, they’re topped with a simple lemon glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness. Easy to make in just one bowl and impossible to resist, these blondies are sunshine in every bite.

These ultimate lemon blondies are soft, chewy, and perfectly balanced with bright citrus and buttery richness. 

Made in just one bowl, this recipe is simple to prep, easy to scale up or down, and delivers consistent results every time. 

Topped with a glossy lemon glaze, they’re just sweet enough while still bursting with fresh lemon flavor.

Authentic Italian Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe

A Roman classic made with just a handful of high-quality ingredients. Bucatini pasta is tossed in a rich tomato sauce simmered with crispy guanciale, a touch of peperoncino, and finished with fresh basil and Pecorino Romano cheese. Simple, bold, and packed with authentic Italian flavor—perfect for an easy one-dish dinner the whole family will love.

Today I’m sharing with you a true Italian classic. The most loved. The world-famous pasta all’Amatriciana.

Just like it was originally made in the Italian town of Amatrice, this dish is all about bold simplicity—pasta coated in a fresh, slightly spicy tomato sauce, mingled with crispy guanciale, and finished with the sharp, salty kick of Pecorino Romano cheese.

Gourmet Spicy Burrata & Eggplant Sandwich

Spicy, creamy, and irresistibly fresh—this burrata & eggplant sandwich layers smoky eggplant, fiery chili spread, and peppery arugula between toasted bread for a gourmet bite you’ll crave.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian sandwich that feels gourmet but comes together in minutes, this Eggplant Burrata Sandwich will win your heart (and your taste buds). Trust me!

It’s creamy from the burrata, bright and peppery from the arugula, nutty from the pistachios, and finished with a spicy kick that keeps you coming back for more. Every bite bursts with flavor, yet the recipe is as easy as slicing bread.