Most Popular Recipes of 2021

Wishing you a 2022 full of health and happiness

May this year gives you the opportunity to follow your dreams, smile unconditionally and love like there is no tomorrow

Let's end the year with YOUR favorites. 

The best of the best. 

Here are 2021's eight most viewed and liked recipes on the blog ... and for very good reasons. 

Can you guess which is the most popular?!?

Easy and Delicious Chocolate-Vanilla Zebra Cake

Chocolate and vanilla come together in a fun zebra-striped soft and moist, delicious cake

Here is my recipe for this super-easy to make, soft and moist chocolate and vanilla cake. Ready in less than one hour, from start to finish!

As you can see, this mouth-watering cake has a show-stopping beautiful zebra stripe effect, making every bite of this dessert a perfect mingle of chocolate and vanilla. 

Traditional Italian Panettone in a Muffin Size

Make your holidays extra special with these traditional Italian homemade panettone, in a small and fun muffin shape

I am sure you've all tried panettone before. If not, SERIOUSLY? What is wrong with you!!! ... Just kidding. 

What I meant to say: Seriously, you have to try it as soon as possible!

Panettone is THE Italian classic, traditional and a must-have Christmas dessert. 

Best Double-Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rich and soft, chewy and fudgey

These double chocolate crinkle cookies are a must-have holiday tradition! 

Here is the recipe for these classic and chocolate-lovers must-have holiday cookies. 

These double chocolate crinkle cookies have the perfect brownie interior and light cookie crunch exterior. They are tender, rich, and fudgey. All in the same lick-your-sugary-fingers delicious bite. Dangerous, I'm telling you!

Picture-Perfect Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Moist vanilla cupcakes topped with a festive and easy-to-make Christmas tree. The perfect addition to your holiday edible decorations!

Here is one more holiday dessert recipe for you!

Can you tell I'm in full swing of the Christmas spirit?!? Or maybe I just find any possible excuse to bake more cupcakes and lots of cookies. 

Don't blame me... Look how pretty these look! A frosting-lover dream, for sure.

How to Make the Best Sugar Cookies

Make it a holiday to remember with these picture-perfect, buttery sugar cookies - all dressed up for the party!

It's so easy to get into the holiday spirit when baking - and EATING! - these butter and flaky sugar cookies ... all dressed up for the holidays!

Bacon Wrapped Roasted Turkey Roulade

This holiday season try a different take on the classic stuffed turkey with this mouthwatering roasted turkey breast rolled with herbs and wrapped in crispy bacon

This post is written in collaboration with Toshiba Lifestyle US. All opinions are mine alone.

Turkey is THE holiday dinner staple for most. Let's shake things up with an alternative recipe. Something new and different for you to try!

Brown Butter Shrimp with Polenta

Crispy shrimp on top of soft and creamy polenta. 

All drizzled with a scrumptious almond and brown butter sauce

A must-try combo of nutty and creamy, salty and spicy!

This post is written in collaboration with Gorton's Seafood. All opinions are mine. Thank you for your support! #Gorton'sShrimpAppetizers #ad

Here is a mouthwatering and easy-to-make shrimp appetizer recipe perfect for the upcoming holidays. 

I served it for dinner last night and my family absolutely loved it. 

And what's not to love about golden crispy shrimp, served with soft and creamy polenta, drizzled (... or drenched - up to you!) in a extra-flavorful brown butter sauce and topped with crunchy almonds?!? 

It is the perfect balance of nutty and creamy, salty and spicy. 

And a sure (and easy!) way to impress your guests this holiday season. 

The Best Homemade Pumpkin Pie From Scratch

A must-try and a most favorite pie for Thanksgiving
Top this rich and creamy made-from-scratch pumpkin pie with some fresh whipped cream and you're in for a treat!

Pie season is FINALLY here!! Who is ready for some baking?!? 

Here is the classic and the most loved by many. A must-have for the upcoming holidays. This made-from-scratch pumpkin pie is rich and spiced, thick and creamy. Top with fresh whipped cream and you're in for a mouthwatering treat

Halloween Mummy and Ghost Chocolate Pretzels

 Deliciously spooky, wide-eyed ghost and mummy pretzels covered in chocolate
Easy and fun Halloween treat!

Your kids are going to love this Halloween treat. 

And so will you, when you see how fun and laughably easy is to prepare these mummy and ghost Halloween pretzels. 

So easy that your kids will want to make it all by themselves.

Seafood Jacket Potatoes (Double Baked Potatoes)

Taking your fish 'n chips to a healthy and satisfying new level with these delicious baked potatoes stuffed with crispy fish fillets
And check this out, this simple recipe uses only 5 ingredients!

This post is written in collaboration with Gorton's Seafood. All opinions are mine. Thank you for your support! #FiveIngredientsWithGortons #Ad

Who's ready for a new, simple and delicious, cozy and satisfying dinner idea that only requires FIVE ingredients and will have the whole family happy and craving for more?!?

Authentic Italian Pasta with Calamari Sauce

Bring a taste of  Italy to your table with this mouthwatering and tasty, quick and easy-to-make pasta with calamari and tomato sauce 

Here is a popular must-try Neapolitan primo piatto. A simple and simply delicious pasta from Southern Italy tossed with a spicy, garlicky, and oh-so flavorful calamari (squid) and cherry tomatoes sauce.

It's a classic Italian one-dish entree that is elegant enough for a fancy dinner for your guests or date night. But it's also simple and fast to make any family weeknight dinner special. 

Soft, Moist and Easy-to-Make Vanilla and Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake

Let's kick start the day with a thick slice of this soft and moist vanilla + chocolate marble loaf

  

Today I'd like to share with you the recipe for this easy to whip up, quick (ready in less than 1 hour), extra soft and perfectly moist chocolate and vanilla marble cake.

Step-by-Step Classic Italian Seafood Risotto Recipe

Adding seafood to your dinner has never been easier with this scrumptious one-pot, one-dish classic Italian risotto alla pescatora 
A must-try!

One-pot, one-dish weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes couldn't look or taste any better than this. All you will need is a large pot and a wooden spoon and watch the magic happen!

There are several names for this dish: Risotto allo scoglio  ("at the rock", referring to crustaceans), alla pescatora (fisherman style) or ai frutti di mare (seafood). No matter what name you give to the dish, this seafood risotto is a sure must-try, perfect for any weeknight dinner or special occasion. 

Classic Italian Affogato al Caffe'

When two of the best and most enticing Italian pleasures (hot espresso and cold gelato) meet in one glass, magical things happen!

Here is the classic recipe for this simple and simply amazing Italian affogato al caffe' 

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

For all the espresso lovers out there, here is THE perfect (and by far THE easiest) coffee "drowned"  dessert for you! 

Just one word of caution, once you taste it there's no going back. And you will want to eat this again and again and again. 

So please don't tell me I didn't warn you ;)

Extra-Moist Banana Bread with Greek Yogurt, Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

Super soft and extra moist banana bread made using just ONE bowl
Loaded with chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts

This banana bread is all you could ever ask in a banana bread. And the one recipe you'll ever need when you have some leftover spotty brown bananas on the counter. 

It's super soft and extra moist. 

It's packed with chocolate chips and walnuts, but you can simply omit or replace with your favorite add-ins. 

It's simply made in a few minutes using just one bowl and a hand mixer (or fork/whisk also work just fine), so clean up couldn't be any easier. 

Creamy Pasta with Butternut Squash and Mascarpone Cheese

 A delicious combination of sweet butternut squash, creamy mascarpone cheese and sage infused butter sauce

Fall season, here we come!

Here is my very first fall-inspired squash Italian recipe of the year. And it's a good one.

This scrumptious vegetarian pasta is a well balanced and satisfying meal which I'm sure will become one of your favorite too once you try it out.

Homemade Authentic Italian Pizza

# ad There's nothing as fun and delicious as homemade pizza night, the way Italians do! 

This post is sponsored by Mutti, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #muttipartner #pizzacrEATivity #ItalysBest

Back-to-school season is upon us, so let’s get in the spirit with some family fun in the kitchen, and create the yummiest, most authentic Italian pizza together.

Snuggle up in the kitchen with your loved ones, some flour and yeast, fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce, and transform those few simple ingredients into something magical and delicious for your family to enjoy.

Coconut and Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Experience love at first bite with these elegant and luscious coconut-chocolate cheesecake bars

 

Who is ready to try one of these tropic-inspired crazy-delicious dessert?!? 

A super creamy thick layer of coconut cheesecake with a hint of almond flavor. On top of an easy-to-make chocolate graham cracker crust. All drizzled with melted chocolate and a touch of extra coconut. 

Extraordinary things happen when chocolate and coconut come together. Especially in a refreshing and creamy cheesecake form. 

Peach and Blueberry Rustic Crostata (Galette)

Looking for a delicious and easy to make, summer dessert that everybody will love?! This Italian homemade rustic crostata (or galette) with peaches and blueberries is exactly what you need.

Here is a summer recipe I'm sure you'll want to try, especially once you see how easy, quick and fun it is.

This rustic crostata has all there is to love about pie. The flaky and buttery crust, just slightly crunchy and sugary at the edges. And the sweet and fruity filling exploding with drip-down-your-chin juicy peaches, and nutrient-packed cute little blueberries. 

And if you are anything like me, you will want to eat your slice right off the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the side. 

Quick and Easy Shrimp-Pineapple Stir Fry

Ready in 15 minutes, sweet and savory, fresh and healthy, packed with veggies and shrimp, glazed in a tasty sauce. I'm sure this recipe will become one of your favorite too!

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

Here is a quick, wholesome and scrumptious lunch or dinner idea that I'm sure your family is going to love as much as mine. 

What's not to love about sweet and savory tender shrimp coated in a delicious sauce and mixed with your favorite veggies and pineapple for a sweet and summery twist?!?

Traditional Italian Granita al Limone (Lemon Granita)

 Here is a classic Italian summer must-have.

Refreshing, sweet and tart lemon granita (Italian ice)

almost like the one you'd find in Sicily 

Traditionally from Sicily, this recipe for granita al limone is a classic summer favorite that you can really find anywhere in Italy and is the perfect refreshing pick-me-up for hot days. 

Blueberry Crumble Bars

Every bite of these mouth-watering and easy-to-make bars is bursting with healthy, sweet and juicy blueberries wrapped in perfectly crunchy and crumbly pastry

I truly love blueberries, with their super-healthy antioxidants and nutrients content, packed in sweet and juicy little cute berries.

So versatile in the kitchen: perfect to eat right out of the box, or in a salad, smoothie, muffins, cake, tart ... There is an infinite amount of choices, but this time (and for good reasons) I decided on these crumble bars. Take a look!

These bars are sooo delicious, with a sweet, slightly tart and lemony flavor, mixed with a shortbread-buttery taste. Perfectly crumbly, with just the right amount of crunchiness, from the rolled oats mixed in the pastry. 

Easy Puff Pastry Peach Tart

Looking for a super easy and mouthwatering summer dessert, filled with juicy seasonal fruit which is ready in no time?!? Look no farther, this puff pastry peach tart is exactly what you need

Here is a summer recipe that I'm sure you'll want to try. 

It's easy, delicious and it bakes in no time. I know, I know, it's summer!! And when the high temperature hits, the last thing we want to do is turn on the oven. BUT. Yes, there's always a but. This tart only takes 15 minutes to bake and the end results is soooo good that you won't mind... No matter how hot and sweaty is going to get in your kitchen ;)

Torta Nua (Soft Italian Cake with Custard Cream)

Sweeten up your day with a slice of this Italian soft and moist, delicate and delicious cake filled with Italian crema pasticcera 

Today I'd like to share with you a recipe for this soft and moist, easy to make Italian cake stuffed with a delicate and rich custard cream. 

Perfect for breakfast, snack time or dessert!

Frittata Roll Ups Stuffed with Spinach and Ricotta (Rotoli di Frittata)

Scrumptious Italian-Style frittata rolls stuffed with delicate ricotta and sauteed spinach

Let's roll into this holiday weekend with one (...or lots!!) of these scrumptious and easy-to-make stuffed frittata rolls.

This Italian-style appetizer is a great finger food addition to your Fourth of July party ... or any brunch or dinner really.