Name: Cannoli Cookie Cups Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese, drained; ½ cup (120 g) mascarpone cheese; ⅓ cup (60 g) mini chocolate chips; ½ teaspoon orange zest; Mini chocolate chips; Chopped pistachios; Powdered sugar for dusting

Sweet cannoli cookie cups offer a delightful twist on traditional Italian desserts that’ll make your taste buds dance.

My grandmother’s Sicilian heritage inspired this playful reimagining of a classic treat.

Crispy cookie shells cradle a creamy ricotta filling that melts in your mouth.

Rich chocolate chips and delicate powdered sugar add layers of decadent flavor.

Each bite combines the crunch of a buttery cup with smooth, silky cream.

The magic happens when you transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

I promise these little cups will become an instant favorite at your next gathering.

Savor Delightful Flavor Fusion: These cannoli cookie cups blend the classic Italian cannoli's rich, creamy filling with the comforting sweetness of a chocolate chip cookie, creating an irresistible dessert that surprises and delights taste buds.
Enjoy Effortless Baking Adventure: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe transforms traditional cannoli into an easy-to-make treat that requires minimal techniques and delivers maximum enjoyment with its simple yet elegant preparation.
Experience Texture Wonderland: Crisp cookie cups provide a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the smooth, velvety cannoli filling, while mini chocolate chips and optional pistachios add exciting bursts of texture and flavor in every bite.
Celebrate Versatile Party Pleaser: These mini desserts are ideal for gatherings, offering a crowd-pleasing treat that can be prepared ahead of time, making them a stress-free option for entertaining friends and family at any celebration.

Cookie Base:

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie cups.
Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cookie base.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and achieve a light texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to the cookie base.

Cannoli Filling:

Ricotta Cheese: Classic Italian cheese creating a creamy, smooth filling.
Mascarpone Cheese: Optional ingredient adding extra richness and smoothness.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the filling.
Vanilla Extract: Provides depth of flavor to the creamy mixture.
Orange Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes to complement the filling.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Provides texture and classic cannoli-style chocolate flavor.

Garnish:

Mini Chocolate Chips: Additional topping for extra chocolate flavor.
Chopped Pistachios: Adds crunch and nutty flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Light dusting for additional sweetness and decoration.

Step 1: Whip Up Delightful Cookie Dough

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together soft butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. Crack in fresh eggs and splash of vanilla extract, blending until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, a pinch of salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 2: Create Perfect Cookie Cups

Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. Roll cookie dough into small, bite-sized balls and nestle them into each muffin cavity. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a gentle indentation in the center of each dough ball. Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Once out of the oven, while still warm, press the centers down again to maintain the cup shape. Allow the cookie cups to cool completely in the tin.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Cannoli Filling

In a clean mixing bowl, blend:

Smooth ricotta cheese
Creamy mascarpone cheese
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Fragrant orange zest

Whip until the mixture becomes silky and uniform. Gently fold in tiny chocolate chips. Chill the filling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help it set and intensify the flavors.

Step 4: Fill and Decorate Cookie Cups

Once the cookie cups have cooled completely, fill each one generously with the chilled cannoli mixture. Use a piping bag for a neat presentation or simply spoon the filling into the cups.

Step 5: Final Flourish

Sprinkle the tops with:

Mini chocolate chips
Chopped pistachios
A light dusting of powdered sugar

Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy these delectable treats.

Chill the Dough: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create a more structured cookie cup.
Create Perfect Indents: Use the back of a rounded measuring spoon to create uniform, deep indentations in the cookie dough for consistent cup shapes.
Control Filling Consistency: Drain excess liquid from ricotta cheese by placing it in a cheesecloth-lined strainer for a firmer, less watery cannoli filling.
Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Cool cookie cups completely in the pan to maintain their crisp texture and prevent breaking when removed.
Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, or use dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream instead of ricotta for a vegan adaptation.

Refrigerate: Store cannoli cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the filling fresh and prevent the cookies from becoming soggy by separating layers with parchment paper.
Freeze: Wrap individual cookie cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheat: Warm cookie cups briefly in the oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their crisp texture. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before filling to prevent melting the delicate cannoli cream.
Best Enjoyed: Consume within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture. The cookie cups maintain their crunch, and the filling stays creamy and delightful when served fresh.

Pair with Sweet Sicilian Marsala: Enhance the authentic cannoli flavor by serving these cookie cups alongside a chilled glass of Marsala wine, which complements the rich, creamy filling and adds a traditional Italian touch.
Match with Espresso Delight: Brew a robust, small cup of espresso to contrast the sweet cookie cups, cutting through the richness and providing a classic Italian dessert experience that awakens the palate.
Complement with Amaretto Liqueur: Drizzle a small amount of smooth amaretto over the cookie cups or serve as a side drink, its almond notes harmonizing beautifully with the chocolate chips and creamy ricotta filling.
Fresh Fruit Contrast: Add a small side of fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to provide a tart, refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, rich cookie cups, balancing the dessert's intense flavors.

Chocolate Lovers' Cannoli: Swap mini chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks and add cocoa powder to the cookie dough for an intense chocolate experience.
Nutty Sicilian Style: Replace pistachios with toasted almonds, mix almond extract into the filling, and sprinkle crushed amaretti cookies on top for extra crunch.
Citrus Burst Edition: Incorporate lemon zest into the cookie base, use candied orange peel in the filling, and garnish with fresh citrus segments for a bright, zesty profile.
Berry Cannoli Fusion: Mix dried cranberries into the filling, use white chocolate chips, and garnish with fresh raspberries for a fruity transformation.

What makes these Cannoli Cookie Cups different from traditional cannoli?

These cookie cups offer a fun twist on the classic Italian dessert by using a cookie base instead of a fried pastry shell. They’re easier to make and provide a delightful combination of cookie crunch and creamy cannoli filling.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking the cookie cups.

Is it necessary to use mascarpone in the filling?

No, mascarpone is optional. While it adds extra richness, you can make the filling with just ricotta cheese and still achieve a delicious result. The key is to use fresh, high-quality ricotta for the best flavor.

How do I prevent the cookie cups from breaking when removing them from the pan?

Let the cookie cups cool completely in the muffin tin before gently removing them. Using a small offset spatula or butter knife can help lift them out without breaking.

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life.

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.