Dreamy Italian Cannoli Filling Recipe: Creamy Wonder in Minutes

Sweet ricotta cannoli filling brings the heart of sicilian dessert magic right to your kitchen.

This creamy blend captures authentic italian pastry traditions with delightful precision.

Generations of bakers have perfected the smooth, rich mixture that makes cannoli irresistible.

Soft ricotta cheese forms the perfect base for this classic treat.

Powdered sugar and vanilla extract dance together, creating a luscious cream that melts on your tongue.

Chocolate chips or candied fruit can add delightful texture and unexpected bursts of flavor.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that transforms simple ingredients into pure culinary poetry.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 292 kcal

Servings: 11

What You’ll Need For Cannoli Filling Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for cookies, ensuring tender and soft texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate depth and deep color to the cookies.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps cookies rise and become fluffy.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic undertone with subtle sweet spiciness.
• Nutmeg: Introduces delicate, slightly sweet earthy flavor complementing chocolate.
• Cloves: Brings intense, warm spice note enhancing overall complexity.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor profiles.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb and contributes luxurious smoothness.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve golden, crisp cookie edges.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet, aromatic essence enhancing overall flavor.
• Orange/Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy note adding refreshing complexity.
• Milk: Softens dough and helps ingredients blend seamlessly.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Provides delightful chocolate bursts throughout cookies.
• Nuts: Offers crunchy texture and nutty undertone.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with sweet finish.
• Colored Sprinkles: Adds playful visual appeal and festive touch.

Tools To Help With Cannoli Filling Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar.
• Medium bowl: Ideal for mixing dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dry ingredients and creating glaze.
• Electric mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly.
• Baking sheets: Necessary for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper or silicone mats: Prevents cookies from sticking.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Helps create uniform cookie portions.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing glaze.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps To Make Cannoli Filling Recipe

• Cozy Oven Warmup

Invite your oven to a toasty 350F party and prepare baking sheets with soft parchment paper. This sets the stage for delicious magic.

• Flavor Fusion

Blend dry ingredients like a culinary artist, mixing flour, cocoa, and warm spices in a bowl. Create a symphony of tastes that will dance on taste buds.

• Butter and Sugar Romance

Whip softened butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Bring eggs and zesty citrus notes to join this delightful celebration.

• Dough Transformation

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a velvety chocolate dough. Add chocolate chips or nuts for an extra surprise.

• Cookie Sculpting

Roll dough into adorable little balls, giving each one space to grow on the baking sheet. Treat them like precious culinary treasures.

• Baking Performance

Slide cookies into the oven and watch them transform. Bake until they’re perfectly set with a soft, cake-like heart.

• Glaze Glory

Craft a silky glaze that will crown your cookies with elegance. Drizzle or dip, making each cookie a work of art.

• Sweet Finale

Let glaze set and sprinkle with playful toppings. Store these delectable treats in a cozy container, ready to spread joy.

Tips To Get Cannoli Filling Recipe Just Right

• Silky Smooth Texture Trick: Strain ricotta cheese through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture, ensuring a creamy and thick filling without wateriness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
• Dietary Swap Solutions: Replace regular ricotta with low-fat or dairy-free ricotta for lighter versions. Use powdered monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar for a low-carb alternative that maintains delicious sweetness.
• Flavor Explosion Options: Experiment with mix-ins like chopped pistachios, candied orange peel, dark chocolate chips, or a splash of marsala wine to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the traditional cannoli filling.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep filled cannoli shells refrigerated and add filling just before serving to prevent soggy shells, maintaining the perfect crisp texture and preventing potential moisture buildup.

Serving Cannoli Filling Recipe Creatively

• Festive Cookie Platter: Create a stunning display by arranging these delectable cookies on a decorative ceramic plate with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for elegant presentation.
• Dessert Pairing Paradise: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla gelato or a small glass of sweet dessert wine like moscato for a luxurious after-dinner treat that complements the cookie's rich flavors.
• Tea Time Delight: Pair these cookies with a warm cup of chai or Earl Grey tea, allowing the spices in the cookies to harmonize beautifully with the tea's aromatic notes, perfect for afternoon gatherings with friends.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions that will delight family and friends.

How To Store Cannoli Filling Recipe Safely

• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep cannoli filling in an airtight container, staying fresh for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture absorption and maintain creamy texture.
• Freezing Technique: Transfer filling to freezer-safe container, covering surface with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Freeze up to 2 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before use.
• Ingredient Separation: Store filling and shells separately to maintain crispness. Mix components just before serving to prevent soggy texture and preserve original delicious crunch.
• Temperature Management: Always chill filling below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth. Use clean utensils when handling to extend freshness and ensure food safety.

Silky Cannoli Filling Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Sicilian cannoli filling brings delightful creamy richness to this classic Italian dessert. Mascarpone, ricotta, and powdered sugar blend seamlessly for a smooth, authentic experience you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (375 g / 13.23 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g / 4.06 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk
• 1 ½ cups (180 g / 6.35 oz) powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup (30 g / 1.06 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup (80 g / 2.82 oz) mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2–3 tbsps milk or orange juice
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange or lemon zest
• Colored sprinkles
• Chopped nuts

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Instructions

1. Drain Preparation: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove excess moisture from ricotta cheese, ensuring a smooth, dense filling base.
2. Sweetening Process: Gradually whisk powdered sugar into ricotta, creating a silky, lump-free mixture that forms the foundation of the cannoli filling.
3. Flavor Enrichment: Delicately fold dark chocolate and orange zest throughout the creamy mixture, distributing ingredients uniformly to maximize flavor complexity.
4. Aromatic Elevation: Introduce a subtle splash of marsala wine or vanilla extract to deepen the filling’s nuanced flavor profile and enhance its overall sensory experience.
5. Textural Refinement: Gently incorporate candied citrus peels or chopped pistachios, adding delightful crunch and sophisticated aromatic layers to the creamy composition.
6. Chilling and Flavor Melding: Seal the filling with plastic wrap directly touching its surface, then refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify.
7. Final Preparation: Stir the chilled filling briefly to reintegrate any separated liquid, then transfer to a piping bag with a wide tip for precise shell filling just moments before serving.
8. Serving Recommendation: Consume filled cannoli within a few hours to preserve the delicate balance between crisp shell and luxurious cream filling, ensuring optimal taste and textural experience.

Notes

• Drain Ricotta Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture completely using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to prevent watery, runny filling that compromises texture and consistency.
• Whisk Sugar Meticulously: Incorporate powdered sugar gradually and whisk consistently to create a smooth, lump-free mixture that ensures a silky, uniform filling.
• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate filling for at least one hour, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify, developing a more complex and rich taste profile.
• Fill Shells Strategically: Pipe filling into cannoli shells just before serving to maintain the perfect balance between crisp pastry and creamy interior, preserving optimal texture and freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 292
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg