The Sweet Life at La Fortezza
Italian Desserts and Interiors from My Home in Tuscany
The Sweet Life: An Italian Dessert Cookbook Inspired by La Fortezza
Welcome to The Sweet Life, an Italian dessert cookbook inspired by life at La Fortezza, where every day ends with something sweet. This collection of authentic Italian dessert recipes brings the flavors of Tuscany and the traditions of Italian baking straight into your home kitchen.
At La Fortezza, guests fall in love with the irresistible confections served with every meal. Mornings begin with delicate Italian cakes and seasonal jam tarts — pastries that are almost too beautiful to eat and impossible to resist.
As the day unfolds, creamy custards and luscious semifreddo appear, offering a taste of classic Italian sweets made with simple, high-quality ingredients. In the evening, dinner is crowned with pillowy cheesecakes, silky panna cotta, and our beloved homemade digestivi — each recipe honoring Italy’s rich culinary heritage and love of dessert.
This cookbook is your invitation to recreate the magic of La Fortezza in your own kitchen. Whether you are passionate about Italian baking, planning an Italian-inspired dinner party, or dreaming of Tuscany, The Sweet Life will guide you through traditional and modern Italian dessert recipes that are both elegant and approachable.
What You’ll Find Inside:
Authentic Italian dessert recipes from La Fortezza
Panna cotta, semifreddo, cheesecakes, custards, and seasonal tarts
Simple techniques inspired by Tuscan kitchens
Recipes perfect for entertaining or everyday indulgence
Bring home the flavors of Italy and discover why dessert is the heart of every Italian meal.
Order your copy today.
The first 500 books include a signed bookplate — a special gift for lovers of Italian cooking and La Dolce Vita.
The Tastes of Sweet Tuscany.
This isn’t just a collection of recipes; it’s a love letter to the life we’ve crafted at La Fortezza. You’re not only getting a taste of our favorite desserts, but a glimpse into the home that inspires them. Step inside our carefully curated spaces—every room, every lovingly collected piece reflects the soul of the Italian countryside. The setting is as much a part of the story as the sweets themselves, creating a perfect backdrop for the indulgence that unfolds here. It’s a celebration of style, home, and the sweet, sweet life we adore.
Immerse yourself in the sweet life of Tuscany with 88 Italian desserts, both contemporary and crafted from centuries-old traditions, perfected in my La Fortezza kitchen
Discover recipes featuring local ingredients, like chestnut flour and seasonal fruits, bringing the true essence of Tuscany to your table
From rich crostatas to velvety gelato, these recipes will transport you to Italy with every bite.
Rich Crostatas
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Velvety Gelato
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Breakfast Sweets
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Delicate Cakes
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Rich Crostatas ❧ Velvety Gelato ❧ Breakfast Sweets ❧ Delicate Cakes ❧
Reviews
“Close your eyes and picture the perfect Italian villa, far off the beaten path in a still largely undiscovered part of northern Tuscany. We can guarantee you La Fortezza is better than what you are imagining. Annette Joseph, with a combined mastery of design and gastronomy, has curated the ultimate getaway. Cocktails at the pool with an undisturbed view of the hills of Lunigiana? Check. Rustic bedrooms with the original charm of a medieval fortress. Yup. Pizza making in an outdoor oven with a local chef? Naturally. We close our eyes and go back there all the time.”
—Jessica Chesler Executive Producer (EP) of Southern Charmed Bravo
“Our visit to La Fortezza included ingredients from the garden, the vineyard and the orchard. These spectacular dishes and desserts created from the land found their way to our table, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We enjoyed breathtaking views of the mountains of Northern Tuscany. The warmth of Annette’s hospitality left our family and friends enriched from the experience We came as friends and left as family. We now completely understand the sweet life at la Fortezza and can’t want to return.”
— Cheri Leavy, Founder of the Southern C Conference
“It is always the SWEET LIFE at La Fortezza with Annette. My family and I visited a couple years ago and we still can't get over how beautiful and delicious our stay was. We fell in love with the region, Annette's beautiful home and all the local markets, shops and neighborhoods she took us to. Staying at La Fortezza really made us feel like locals and actually gave me so much design inspo. Every room was styled beautifully and had pieces that she collected from different markets from all over. I am still so jealous of all her goodies. Can't wait to go back.”
— Eden Grinshpan host of Top Chef Canada and the author of Eating Out Loud, and Tahini Baby
“What struck me the most about La Fortezza on first arrival was its positioning. It’s this wild juxtaposition in the mountains that you think might be austere, but is so far from it with the warmth you encounter in every single square foot of this magical place. The raw beauty, the care and attention to detail in every magical meal that Annette whips up (and, of course, seemingly pulls off with aplomb and makes it look easy), the sensorial aspects of La Fortezza – this is what you remember. This is what keeps you coming back, year after year, in my case. Every room and space at La Fortezza is so carefully considered, but so incredibly laidback and welcoming. You want to take a load off and rest easy. Pick up a book, grab a bottle of the Joseph wine, retreat to the shady pool house. Life is inspiring here and Annette lets the breathtaking surrounds of Fivizanno inspire her. It is a sight to behold.”
— Black Tomato Travel Company, Brendan Drewniany, Head of PR
