The Tiramisu Twist You Didn't Know You Needed: Pistachio Edition

The list of Italian sweets is long and varied. But outside the country at least, it seems that tiramisu has become the quintessential dessert of the cuisine. In fact, some would even say that you can judge an Italian restaurant by the quality of its tiramisu.

It might seem like sacrilege to mess with the traditional coffee and cream combination, but don't worry – our pistachio tiramisu recipe still retains all of the classic elements. As an extra treat we fold pistachio cream into the mascarpone, which adds both sweetness and nuttiness to the creamy layer. The whole thing is then topped with chopped pistachio nuts, adding textural contrast to the booze-soaked sponge fingers below.

These decadent additions result in a dessert that's somewhere between Italian home cooking and Dubai chocolate. It might not replace the classic tiramisu recipe, but it's bound to impress guests at your next special occasion dinner.

It's almost surprising that the pistachio tiramisu isn't a standard variation, given that the unique green nut shows up in so many Italian desserts, particularly in the south. While the almost fluorescent color of pistachio gelato isn't real, the history of pistachios in desserts certainly is.

Although Italy isn't in the top pistachio producers worldwide, it does produce arguably the world's most sought-after variety, the Bronte pistachio. It's grown in the volcanic soil of the Sicilian village Bronte. Understandably, this coveted nut has made its way into the local cuisine.

The classic Sicilian dessert is cannoli, which can be made as a pistachio version, but there are more treats on offer. Some recipes, like pistachio cookies or torrone (Italian nougat), keep it simple with the addition of chopped ground nuts that add crunch or color. Serious pistachio lovers, however, may also want to take a look at torta al pistacchio — a sponge made with pistachio flour and chopped pistachios, filled with layers of pistachio cream.

You could of course just make some of the beloved pistachio cream at home and have a taste of Italy any time you like. It's a blend of pistachio, white chocolate, cream, and sugar that can be added to everything from ice cream to your breakfast croissant.