Giuseppe’s Italian Bakes: Over 60 Classic Cakes, Desserts and Savoury Bakes

Dell’Anno, the 2021 Great British Bake Off winner, delves into Italian classics in his first cookbook. Making no claims to have created an exhaustive or definitive cookbook on Italian baking, he’s chosen his own and his family’s versions of recipes that are meaningful to him, which only adds to its appeal. While there are some well-known and much-loved treats such as tiramisù (with a recipe for lady fingers too); cannoli; and focaccia, there are a wealth of less familiar recipes, including torta tenerina (little tender cake), a very chocolatey cake from Ferrara; torta latte caldo e caffè, a hot milk and coffee sponge cake; or baci di alassio, chocolate hazelnut sandwich cookies. Dell’Anno offers an excellent introduction to all of these bakes, giving background on their origins and offering thorough directions and explanations for his methods. He also discusses ingredients and lists alternatives for those unable to source European ingredients, making this especially accessible for American bakers.