
Potato gnocchi for dessert? While this idea may sound strange to some of you, it is tasty. So, please try these Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi – a traditional carnival dish from Venice.
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Hey folks, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good week and that you are ready for the weekend.
Are you making anything special this weekend?
If not, what about this recipe? And if you are looking at my photos thinking I have made a potato dish (with baby potatoes)… you are not completely wrong! Because these are actually potato gnocchi… but in dessert form!
Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi
I think this gnocchi recipe is the most out of the ordinary that I have ever tried. I came across it last year on the Pasta Project blog, where I have tried a number of pasta recipes. Please be sure to check the original post to learn more about this unique recipe – Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi: Recipe from Veneto – The Pasta Project.
This recipe calls for potato gnocchi (you can use traditional, but I chose skillet), butter, brown sugar (I used golden or yellow sugar), and cinnamon. Although the original recipe did not call for salt, I added just a tiny pinch, to bring out the flavours. Other possible additions could include Parmigiano Reggiano, raisins, and even tomato sauce (say what? Right?).
This is a fantastic snack, dessert, or even an appetizer/starter.
But if you are looking for a savoury recipe, please check this Gnocchi with Ham and Cheese (One-Skillet Gnocchi Recipe)
I hope you like Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi, and you will make this recipe a try. If you make it, please let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
Cheers!


Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi
Course: Dessert, MainCuisine: Italian, Veneto4
servings5
minutes20
minutesPotato gnocchi are tossed in cinnamon butter and sprinkled with brown sugar in this traditional carnival dish from Venice.
Ingredients
about 1 lb. (450 gr.) regular or skillet potato gnocchi – I used skillet gnocchi
1/2 cup (120 gr.) butter
1/4 cup (50 gr.) brown sugar – I used golden sugar
1/2 to 1 tbsp. cinnamon
a small pinch of salt
Directions
- For Regular Gnocchi (Require Boiling):
- Bring a large pot with salted water to a boil.
- Cook the gnocchi in the boiling water (it should take only 2-3 minutes depending on the size). They are ready when they rise to the surface.
- In the meantime, melt the butter in a large pan. Once the butter has melted add the ground cinnamon and salt.
- Once the gnocchi float to the surface, drain them with a slotted spoon and place them in the pan with the butter cinnamon sauce. Gently mix together to coat. Sprinkle with brown sugar just before serving.
- For Skillet Gnocchi (Does Not Require Boiling):
- If using the skillet gnocchi, skip the steps 1 and 2.
- Add the butter, cinnamon, and salt to a large pan over medium heat. Add the skillet gnocchi and cook them until nicely golden, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Lower the heat if the butter is burning too much.
- Sprinkle with brown sugar just before serving. Serve and enjoy right away!

Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
This is an amazing dish; if into main, you add salt and if into dessert, you ad sugar instead. What a brilliant one Ben!
Davorka recently posted…Lemon Blueberry Tiramisu
Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi, now that’s a unique twist! I love the idea of taking a savory dish and transforming it into something sweet and indulgent. The combination of soft potato gnocchi with that rich cinnamon-butter glaze sounds absolutely delicious, and I’m sure it’d be a hit as a dessert or snack. Definitely a creative and fun dish to try!
Thank you, Raymund!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
Whoa, what an interesting combination! But I could totally see it working.. looks so tasty!
Thank you, Michelle!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
Well this is a fun idea! I do love cinnamon-sugar everything, and I also love gnocchi. I’ve never thought about combining them together, though. I would be perfectly happy with this for dessert!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Cake Mix Brownies
Agreed David!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
Wow! Really interesting dessert and looks delicious. Who would have thought?
Thank you, Judee!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
How interesting! As you know I consider myself to be fairly well versed in Italian cuisine, but this dish is new to me. It sounds delicious.
I suspect this is a very old recipe (or at least based on one) since the use of cinnamon and sugar in pasta recipes was fairly common in Renaissance times.
Frank | Memorie di Angelina recently posted…Risotto ai quattro formaggi
Thank you, Frank. I am very curious about the origins of this recipe.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
This is completely new to me, and it sounds amazing. I’ve had other sweet, dessert-like dishes made with pasta-type ingredients before, and I’ve always loved them.
Thank you, Jeff!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
What a fun idea! I like to use cinnamon in savoury dishes too. Those gnocchi look like baby potatoes..
angiesrecipes recently posted…Black Garlic Streusel Loaf
Thank you, Angie!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver
What a fascinating idea, Ben! I would never have thought to pair potato and cinnamon as a dessert!
David Scott Allen recently posted…Recipe for Duck Teriyaki
Thank you, David!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Pasta with Chicken Liver