Dolci!: American Baking with an Italian Accent: A Baking Cookbook

by Renato Poliafito, Casey Elsass

Recipes that capture the flavors of la dolce vita, from Bologna to Brooklyn—Italian- and Italian-American-ish cakes, cookies, pies, and pastries, from the James Beard Award-nominated brains behind one of America’s best bakeries.

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, 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 inventions that are a mashup of Italian flavors and American innovation. Think Aperol Spritz Cake, Italian Rice Krispie Treats, Malted Tiramisù, Panettone Bread Pudding, and Mocha Orange Whoopie Pies. In addition to the many cakes, pies, tarts, and cookies, Poliafito also shares a host of savory Sourdough Focaccias, Perfect Grissini, Cacio e Pepe Arancini— and for good measure, Italian-inflected cocktails (Amaro Root Beer Float!) A vibrant comingling 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.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 25, 2024

Reviews

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renato Poliafito’s excellent new cookbook, Dolci!, is a double delight. First of all, it is a treat just to flip through the pages and admire the photographs by Kevin Miyazaki. They will make you not only want to make the recipes but travel to Italy. And secondly, Renato’s stunning array of sweet and savory dishes is so tempting the only problem you will have is picking which one to make. The Sicilian Sticky Buns or the Tricolore Bombolini? The Limoncello Pistachio Tart or Chocolate Amaro Pecan Pie? Such difficult—and delicious—decisions!
Nancy Silverton

Dolci! is beautiful, evocative, and practical—a brilliant hat trick: The pictures are dreamy; Renato’s stories transport us to the places that shaped his passion for baking; the recipes are road maps to making every day more delicious. As much a love letter to the baking traditions of two cultures as a cookbook to treasure, Dolci! is sweet in every way.
Dorie Greenspa

Renato Poliafito perfectly illustrates the Italian love affair with desserts in this breathtaking new book. If you’re interested in becoming a more precise and authentic Italian baker, Renato is your man and Dolci! is your book.
Giada De Laurentiis

Renato Poliafito hits the sweet spot in Dolci!, with favorite desserts from his popular (and my favorite) bakery in Brooklyn—Ciao, Gloria. He turns his years of baking experience and his Italian American heritage into reimagined rainbow cookies (a cake, Spumoni Loaf!), Amaretto Caramel Brownies, and a bitter/sweet Chocolate Amaro Pecan Pie, as well as savory snacks for aperitivo. Grazie mille to Renato for sharing this outstanding collection of recipes, so anyone . . . and everyone, can make them at home.
David Lebovitz

Bravo, Renato, I love this book! Although I am a savory chef, I adore my desserts. Now that I’ve found Dolci!, I know where to go for the recipes. It encompasses everything from traditional Italian to Italian American to American favorites: crostatas, biscotti, tortas, and spoon desserts, along with specialties like Zeppole di San Giuseppe, Torrone, Rum Babà, Cannoli Croccante, and more. It also includes breads, focaccias, pizza, and favorite snacks like arancini, suppli, and Mozzarella in Carrozza. There’s even a chapter that includes a few cocktails so popular at the Italian aperitivo. A must-have recipe book for your cookbook shelf.
Lidia Bastianich

[Maureen Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

No wonder a cookbook with editors choice.

Dolci has everything you could want in an Italian cookbook. It offers everything from basic pizza dough to gelato and everything in between. The mouth watering recipes jump out at you and you can't wait to start but the decision is a tough one. I have only made a small dent in this edition and can't wait to try as many as possible before I get tired of all these Italian dishes it may say American Baking but the recipes are definitely Italian. Let's dig in.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs of Italy and the baked treats make me want to visit Italy again. I appreciate the author's stories and the inclusion of American measurement as well as measuring by weight. Even if I don't bake the tempting treats from the recipes given, at least I know what to look for in Italian bakeries!

[Janessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but the pictures and descriptions, along with a narration that read like memoir, completely transported me back to Italy and memories of the wonderful pastries and desserts I got to taste when I lived there. Now I want to make a trip to New York just to visit Ciao Gloria!

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a specific Italian-American cookie that I ate all the time growing up but they didn't have that recipe. BUT a wonderful cookbook regardless. I wish you had pics of every recipe, but some, and the pics of Brooklyn and Italy and other Italian-American things. Fun book. As an Italian-American who grew up in NY, I loved this book.

[Donna Luu · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are photos of only about half the recipes, which is terrible if you want to try something new (which many things in this book are). Pictures of other Italian things are NOT necessary when there is not enough room for pictures of every baked good.

[Davenportbh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love letter to all things Italian and Italian American. Makes it feel possible to be nostalgic for a time and place you’ve never been. Beautifully shot and I cannot get over how much I love the cover design. 10/10 a must own.

[Sara Rishforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Torta Caprese is fantastic!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of delicious recipes. Each recipe does NOT have a photo. Another star knocked off for recipes running more than one page.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook had me at Ciambella Della Mattina. I would have loved more photos but it was a great cookbook nonetheless.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous cookbook!! one worth purchasing or receiving as a gift!

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I might need to buy this one!!!
Beautifully photographed food, great little back stories to the recipe, a little history, and a range of recipes that encompass the 'baking' topic!!!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading cookbooks that include backstories to the recipes and stories about the origins of the food. Dolci! is a wonderful book full of great stories and enticing descriptions. Bravo!

[Mari McR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's love of his native Italy, New York City, and of course, desserts shines through. I love most his childhood stories of his Mom, his Nonna, and why the recipes he chose to include in Dolci! pull on his heartstrings. Love love love the pictures and the Notes that Mr. Poliafito inserts to help the baker along. Next time I am in the Big Apple, I will be sure to stop by Ciao, Gloria!

NOTE: I may adjust the rating after I bake several stunning and sweet creations!