There’s a place for cake at any celebration, and these 16 rustic, unfussy Italian cake recipes are welcome at any gathering, any time of year!

Italian cakes are so perfect for any celebration, any time of year. Whether it’s a birthday, or a well-deserved afternoon cup of tea (which is absolutely worth celebrating in my books!), Italian cakes lean toward a rustic, elegant simplicity that belies how utterly delicious, and, yes, decadent, they can be!

You’ll rarely find thick frosting or intricate piping on Italian cakes—they’re usually finished off with a dusting of powdered sugar, a light glaze, a sprinkle of nuts, or beautiful, fresh fruit. I find it makes these cake recipes far more approachable when it comes time to bake! The fact that many are also single-layer cakes helps too!

This collection of Italian cake recipes features all the cakes you would expect to sample when you visit Italy or an Italian bakery. They are all classics, but some have a modern twist added to them.

Citrus fruits play an important role in Italian baking, and you’ll see that reflected here with almost every type of citrus fruit represented from lemons to clementines and oranges to limes.

Other ingredients that feature heavily in Italian cakes are nuts—hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, and pistachios—often temptingly paired with chocolate for a delightfully decadent dessert. And, of course, polenta and ricotta are two more classic ingredients in Italian cake recipes! Ricotta makes for an utterly irresistible and delectably moist cake.

I hope this collection of 16 Italian cake recipes created by lovers of Italian cuisine will lead you into the kitchen to make up something heavenly!

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1. Torta di Nocciole (Italian Hazelnut Cake)

by Food Nouveau

Italian hazelnut cake is super easy to make, yet it tastes elegant, rich, hearty, and comforting. Great on its own, but just fantastic with a spoonful of homemade chocolate hazelnut spread.

2. Torta Caprese (Flourless Italian Chocolate Cake)

by Inside the Rustic Kitchen

Torta Caprese is a traditional flourless Italian chocolate cake from the Island of Capri. Made with ground almonds it’s rich and chocolatey with a dense and delicious texture. Serve this Caprese cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of ice cream.

3. Torta di Nocciole (Hazelnut Chocolate Cake)

by Christina’s Cucina

This Italian hazelnut chocolate cake is made with only 4 ingredients, is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, but tastes sublime!

4. Castagnaccio (Italian Chestnut Cake)

by Taco and Tiramisu

If you like chestnuts, you are in the right place! Castagnaccio is the best chestnut cake that you just have to try in your life: fudgy consistency, nutty taste with a hint of rosemary: pure perfection from Italy! Read on to find out how to make it at home easily.

5. Glazed Italian Chocolate Ring Cake

by Family Style Food

This lightly sweet, ring-shaped chocolate ciambella cake is drizzled with a creamy, irresistible chocolate glaze. Serve with fresh berries for an easy, elegant dessert.

6. Chocolate and Walnut Sweet Pasta Cake

by The Pasta Project

This chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe from Umbria in Central Italy is a unique dessert that’s so easy to make. This pasta cake is a traditional dessert for Halloween and Christmas Eve. But, I think it’s a fabulous way to wow your guests any time of year!

7. Ricotta Pistachio Roll Cake

by Mangia Bedda

Ricotta Pistachio Roll Cake, a beautiful yet simple dessert with a sweet ricotta filling reminiscent of your favorite Sicilian dessert, cannoli! Follow my easy step-by-step instructions for making the perfect, no-fail rolled cake.

8. Torta di Mele (Italian Apple Cake)

by The Petite Cook

Torta di Mele, aka classic Italian apple cake, is a dessert all Italian nonnas make! It’s soft and fluffy, and easy to make with just 8 ingredients!

9. Lemon and Olive Oil Cake with Toasted Meringue

by Food Nouveau

This tender and aromatic lemon and olive oil cake is the perfect snack, any time of day. Add toasted meringue to create a showstopping dessert!

10. Italian Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake

by XOXO Bella

My Nonna first introduced me to Italian lemon ricotta amaretti budino cake and I’ve loved it ever since. This Italian ricotta dessert falls somewhere between a cake and a pudding. You will need a Bundt pan to make this tasty lemon ricotta amaretti cake which is often served at Christmas or other holidays.

11. Italian Sponge Cake

by Mangia Bedda

Nonna’s Sponge Cake, this is that perfect lemony, fluffy and airy cake that most Italian nonnas make to perfection!

12. Meyer Lemon Polenta Cake

by Craving California

This intensely lemony and perfectly sweet polenta cake is naturally gluten-free because it’s made with almond flour and polenta. A sweet and tart Meyer lemon glaze is poured over the cake just after baking, making it unbelievably moist and flavorful!

13. Easy Clementine Cake

by The Petite Cook

This beautifully simple clementine cake recipe is made with whole clementines, and it’s gluten-free and dairy-free, making it an excellent option for a holiday dessert.

14. Sicilian Whole Orange Cake

by Christina’s Cucina

Sicilian whole orange cake is a moist and delicious crowd-pleasing dessert. It is called a whole orange cake, because the entire orange is used, peel and all. Perfect for any occasion, but such a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.