When it comes to iconic Italian pastries, the cannoncino may not receive the same international fame as its southern cousin, the Sicilian cannolo, but it is no less deserving of recognition. This delicate, cream-filled puff pastry treat, original to the northern region of Piedmont, holds a special place in Italy’s rich culinary history. Like many traditional pastries, the cannoncino has a story steeped in both local customs and centuries of cultural exchanges across Europe.

The cannoncino as we know it today was born in the elegant pastry shops of Turin during the second half of the 19th century: this was a period when Italy was establishing its cultural and political identity, and Piedmont, with its proximity to France and the rest of Europe, became a crossroads of influences. Turin, the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and the birthplace of the Italian unification movement, was known for its cosmopolitan charm and thriving café culture.