DOLCI

An IACP Book Award Nominee * Recipes that capture the flavors of la dolce vita, from Bologna to Brooklyn—Italian and Italian American-ish cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, desserts, tarts, savories, and breads. From the James Beard Award–nominated brains behind one of America’s best bakeries.

An LA Times, Real Simple, and Tasting Table best cookbook of the year

A joyous celebration of Italian, American, and Italian American tastes and traditions, Dolci! is a compendium of molto delizioso baked goods from both sides of the Atlantic.

In almost a hundred recipes for bakers of all skill levels, James Beard–nominated baker Renato Poliafito pays homage to pastries of the Old World and the New—with perfected versions of classics like Pastiera and Torta Caprese, Honey-Ricotta Black and Whites, and Butter Cookies.

Poliafito puts his own unique spin on the baking traditions of both countries with recipes of his own invention that are a mashup of Italian flavors and American innovation. Think:

• Cookies, Bars, and Treats: Triple-Chocolate Biscotti, Amaretto Caramel Brownies, Mocha Orange Whoopie Pies
• Pies and Cakes: Chocolate Amaro Pecan Pie, Aperol Spritz Cake, Spumoni Loaf
• Desserts: Malted Tiramisu, Panettone Bread Pudding, Strawberry Panna Cotta
• Plus ice creams, cannoli, buns, breads, and much much more

In addition to the many cakes, pies, tarts, and cookies, Poliafito also shares a host of savory recipes: Sourdough Focaccias, Perfect Grissini, Cacio e Pepe Arancini—and for good measure, Italian-inflected cocktails (Amaro Root Beer Float!).

A vibrant commingling of two great culinary cultures filtered through the mind of an American with the heart of an Italian, Dolci! hits the sweet spot between Italian and American baking.

RENATO POLIAFITO is a two-time James Beard Award nominee and the owner of Ciao, Gloria, a bakery and café in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, that opened in 2019. This is his fifth cookbook, but he considers Dolci! his first "solo album." CASEY ELSASS is a food writer, recipe developer, and cookbook author living in Brooklyn, New York.