Hidden among the Novara hills is a sweet and fragrant side of Piedmont, where traditional Piedmontese desserts tell stories of hazelnuts, cocoa, and local flavors. You will find artisanal pastry shops and boutiques where Piedmontese chocolate, gianduiotti, and baci di dama are crafted alongside iconic hazelnut cakes.
These local Piedmontese sweets are an expression of agricultural tradition and the artisanal spirit: simple ingredients, slow methods, and authentic flavors. A stay at Hotel Ramoverde becomes a journey into taste, with tastings and itineraries celebrating the sweet heritage of Piedmont.
Discover with us the typical local desserts to try, the artisanal workshops where you can create your own treats, and pairings with local dessert wines: every bite will be a discovery of sweet and authentic Piedmont.
Typical local sweets: gianduiotti, baci di dama, hazelnut cake, and beyond
The most famous traditional Piedmontese desserts include the gianduiotto, a hazelnut-based chocolate that is a symbol of Turin's tradition; baci di dama, crumbly hazelnut and almond cookies joined by a layer of chocolate; and the Piedmont IGP hazelnut cake, a rustic dessert with a rich hazelnut flavor. Alongside these, we find bonèt (cocoa and amaretto pudding), nocciolini di Chivasso (tiny hazelnut drops), and marron glacé from the mountain valleys.
In the province of Novara and around Borgomanero, many artisanal pastry shops add local variations, such as flavored chocolates, hazelnut tarts, and traditional seasonal sweets.
These local Piedmontese sweets embody regional raw materials (hazelnuts, almonds, chocolate) and techniques passed down through generations, making every taste a link between the present and the sweet memory of Piedmont.
Artisanal workshops and pastry shops: create your own Piedmontese dessert
For those who love to experience traditional Piedmontese desserts up close, artisanal workshops and pastry shops are true must-see experiences. In the area around Borgomanero and the Novara hills, some pastry shops offer workshops on how to make gianduiotti, pastries, hazelnut tarts, and baci di dama.
You will learn hazelnut roasting techniques, chocolate melting, and final assembly. Artisanal shops often open their doors for guided tours, telling the story behind traditional Piedmontese desserts and showcasing ancient machinery. By participating in a workshop, you can take home your own handmade dessert as a tangible souvenir of your food and wine stay.
These experiences enhance the local confectionery tradition and allow for a deep understanding of the link between local culture and typical products.
Pairings with dessert wines: sweets and wine in harmony
The traditional Piedmontese desserts find their ideal ally in the dessert wines of our Piedmont region.
The intense gianduiotto pairs magnificently with a Moscato d’Asti, a passito, or a wine made from local Moscato grapes. Hazelnut cake harmonizes well with fortified wines or sweet sparkling wines, while the delicate and crumbly baci di dama require light dessert wines like Erbaluce or a sparkling Brachetto.
Creating the right pairing transforms a simple dessert into a sensory experience: the wine enhances hidden notes of chocolate and hazelnuts. At Hotel Ramoverde, we offer a dessert menu with recommended dessert wines from the Novara Hills, allowing guests to end a meal beautifully with a symphony of sweetness and refinement typical of Piedmontese food and wine.
Savor the sweetest side of Piedmont: book your stay at Hotel Ramoverde now and let us guide you through Piedmontese chocolate, typical local desserts, and dream wine pairings.
