Italians have the world's sweetest tooth. No excuse is needed to partake of dolci (sweet things), be they ice cream, a cake or a confection packed with fruit and nuts.

Italy is blessed with a geography and climate that will grow virtually anything. In the north, they love creamy puddings. In central Italy, fruits abound to be made into open tars and jams. In south, they could not live a day without a granita. In Dolcissimo, Maxine Clark brings you easy-easy-follow recipes for all the best Italian sweet things.

Try Fruit Puddings, Such as peaches and Raspberies in Sparkling Wine and Warm Zabaglione with Pears Poached in Marsala.

Or Frozen and Chilled puddings Such as the legendary Monte Bianco, made with chestnuts and cream, Cassata Siciliana, Gelati and Panna Cotta. Tarts include crostata with pumpkin marmalade, a torta with fruits of the forest, and a walnut tart.

Cookies include Savoiardi (ltalian ladyfingers for dipping in zabaglione) and Baci di Dama (little chocolate and almond cookies with chocolate cream).

Cakes include Torta Caprese (chocolate cake), and Torta di Mele (apple Sponge cake).

There are also delicious Sweets and Candies such as Miniature Sicilian Cannoli and Torrone (Italian nougat).

Dolaissimo is a treat for the tastebuds – a delicious distillation of the multitude of dolci to be found in ltaly!

Maxine Clark – whose previous book, Tarts: Sweet and savoury, enchanted everyone with a sweet tooth – has done it again with Dolcssimo. Max is a leading food writer and a gifted teacher, having taught in well-knwn cooking schools such as Leth's in London, and Alastair little's Tasting Places in Sicily and Tuscany. Her work appears regularly in magazines and newspapers such as BBC Good Food and Food and Travel. Her other books for Ryland peters & Small include Al Formo, Oven-baked Dishes from Italy; and Bruschetta, Crostini and other Italian Snacks.

Jean Cazals is a leading European food photographer, who has photographed books by michelin-starred chefs. His work is well known from newspapers and magazines and his previous book for Ryland Peters & Small was Tomatoes, by Manisha Gambhir Harkins.