Classic Italian Sweets to Enjoy for Halloween
The spookiest holiday of the year is on its way! So I’ve got LOADS of ideas for you to add a touch of Italian sweetness to Halloween . . . or All Saints’ Day . . . or Day of the Dead.
Italians have never celebrated Halloween the way Americans have. Children don’t dress up in costumes or go door to door asking for treats. Instead, they have a more serious holiday on November 1st, the day after America’s Halloween. On this day (All Saints Day), Italians, like many other Latin cultures, honor and pay tribute to their beloved family and friends who have passed away.
Although Halloween isn’t an Italian tradition, Italy has some of the best chocolates and “caramelle” (candies) in the world! I must admit that I’m near an addiction phase to Italian “gianduja“, how about you?
Here in America, we can still enjoy these crazy-delicious Italian sweet treats and recipes in our ghostly celebrations or any time of the year! Both the little ones and the big kids (adults) will LOVE these! It’s time to think outside the jack-o-lantern!
I’m going to share the sweet Italian candies that my family and I enjoyed as a child and that we still look forward to today.
At the end of this post, you can find a list of where you can purchase these Italian specialties. Some of them can easily be found on Amazon, but many are only offered in online specialty shops.
One of the most sought-after, iconic Italian hard candies is Rossana’s “caramelle” candy, made of almonds and hazelnuts. Italians call it “rossa”. The texture is sublime, with a firm coating that you bite into a creamy filling inside. This candy is easily recognized by its classic ruby-red and gold packaging.
Rossana also has a Pistacchio flavor!
Also Salted Caramel!
Another outstanding Italian chocolatier is Venchi. As sophisticated as a brand it is, Venchi recommends for the kids: “Le Monetine” (gold coins) for Halloween because of the fun glittery gold wrappers. Other melt-in-your-mouth favoraties are “Giandujotti” and “Tartufino”. The “Cremino’ Classico” has creamy layers of gianduja and almond paste (in milk, dark, white, or extra-dark chocolate). Made with all-natural ingredients and no palm oil, Venchi is a healthier candy choice for kids.
But why let the kids have all the delicious fun? Adults can indulge (as I do on occasion) with some“Chocoviar,” that has crispy layer of almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios combined with a soft, creamy hazelnut-gianduja filling of pistachio cream . . . all slathered in luscious, high-quality Italian chocolate! But that’s not all! They’re garnished beautifully with toffee bits and caramel butter. Oh my!
Venchi Chocoviar 15-pieces Creamy Cocoa Filling with Hazelnut, Milk Chocolate Shell, Dark Chocolate Coating & Chocolate Pearls, Preservative & Gluten-Free
Speaking of the irresistible and amazing gianduja, here is Venchi’s sinfully delicious Gianduja milk chocolate and hazelnut bar.
Venchi 7 oz. Gluten-free Gianduja
Or go for Venchi’s “Cubotto Chocoviar Dark Chocolate Pistachio.” For gianduja lovers, such as myself, you’ll be over-the-moon smitten by these sweet Italian treats for Halloween or any holiday!
Sperlari Chocolate with Hazelnuts
Milk Chocolate (available also in a whole bar shown below)
Also available in dark chocolate and terrone
Chocolate Italian Truffles w/ Creamy Filling. Also available in Caramel, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate
Italians are crazy about fruit and famous for their jelly-like candies that come in many fruit flavors:
Fida Bonelle Italian Assorted Fruit Jelly Candy, Vegan, Gluten-Free
Italian Hard Candy with Fruit Filling
This is the Italian candy that I grew up with, which my father always had on hand for us to enjoy!
Strawberry, Cherry, Pineapple, Orange, & Lemon Bon Bons Filled with Real Fruit Pulp
Sperlari also has hard fruit-filled candy and a unique flavor combo of orange, peach, and raspberry
Flavors of lemon and orange and one that combines orange, peach, and raspberry
Le Preziose Italian Fruit Jelly Sweets w/ Fruit Juice (Strawberry)
Also available in lemon, orange, blueberry, and pomegranate
Le Italiane Limone Hard Filled Candy
Also available in apple, mint, and blood orange, honey, and licorice
Perle di Sole Italian Lemon Candy “Caramelle al Limone“
Also available in blueberry, blackberry, and orange
And for a super-fun treat, how about some pizza gummies?
I’d like to say that I’ve saved the best to share with you at the end of this post, but quite honestly, every one of these brands is exceptional.
To add the extraordinary to any Halloween celebration, here are some wonderful Italian sweets from the Leone Pasticciere. Since 1857, Leone has been the master Italian artisanal confectioner. It has earned international recognition for its innovativeness, superlative sweetness, and creation of the ultimate in high-quality confectionery. Leone’s value of “giving small moments of irresistible happiness and telling the story of authentic and timeless Italian sweetness” shines through every delightful experience.
Available online in the following flavors (some are sold out with waiting lists):
Strawberry (Fragole), Cherry (Ciliega), Black Cherry, Raspberry, Blueberry (Mirtillo), Lemon (Limone), Frutti di Bosco (Fruit of the Forest), Wild Berry, Orange (Arancine), Tangerine (Mandarino), Peach and Amaretto, Blood Orange, Pear, Honey, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Gianduiotti, Latte, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Praline, Hazelnut, Pistachio, Coffee, White Truffles, Black Truffles, Mint (Menta), Anise, Ginger (Zenzero), Licorice, Balsamic (Balsamico), Cinnamon, Rose, Violet (Violette), Eucalyptus (Eucolipto), Mojito (Mojito).
To shop for these specialty Italian candies, you can find them online at the following:
Let me know the names of other stores that carry any of these and I’ll add them to the list!
Well, that is one long list of Italian candy! I know it’s just the tip of the iceberg, so let me know your favorite Italian candy/sweet treat, please! Write it in your comment below!
Candy certainly is synonymous with Halloween and you have provided such a beautiful selection of Italian candies. They all look really good although the chocolate appeals to me most.