Cannoli Filling Recipe Sweet Symphony of Flavors

Sweet cannoli filling whispers tales of sicilian bakeries and midnight dessert dreams.

Creamy ricotta cheese mingles with powdered sugar in a dance of delectable textures.

Delicate hints of vanilla and orange zest weave through this classic italian treat.

Professional pastry chefs know the secret lies in perfectly smooth, rich ingredients.

Each spoonful promises a moment of pure indulgence that transports you to mediterranean streets.

Careful mixing and quality components turn a simple dessert into an extraordinary experience.

Why Cannoli Filling Always Impresses

• Whip up this filling in under 15 minutes with basic pantry ingredients, making it perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings.
• Adaptable recipe that works for family gatherings, potlucks, and special occasions, satisfying everyone from kids to sophisticated dessert lovers.
• Easily personalize the filling by adding different mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or varying citrus zests to match your taste preferences.
• Requires minimal baking skills and standard kitchen tools, ensuring even novice cooks can create a delightful dessert filling with confidence.

Ingredients That Make Cannoli Filling Rich

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base for the filling, smooth texture and mild flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a light, fluffy consistency.

• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and provides a smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor to the cannoli filling.

• Chocolate Chips, Candied Orange Peel, Pistachios: Optional mix-ins for extra texture and flavor. Choose fresh, high-quality additions for best results. Mix these in at the end for even distribution.

How to Whip Up a Smooth Cannoli Filling

Step 1: Prepare Ricotta Cheese

Drain ricotta cheese in a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth for several hours or overnight to remove excess moisture. Place in refrigerator to keep cool.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend drained ricotta cheese until smooth and creamy. Use an electric mixer to remove any lumps and create a silky texture.

Step 3: Add Sweetness

Gradually incorporate powdered sugar into the ricotta mixture. Mix thoroughly until sugar is completely dissolved and the filling becomes light and fluffy.

Step 4: Enhance Flavor

Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of ground cinnamon. These ingredients will add depth and warmth to the filling.

Step 5: Mix In Extras

• Mini chocolate chips
• Chopped pistachios
• Candied orange peel
• Marsala wine (small amount)

Step 6: Chill And Set

Cover the filling and refrigerate for at least one hour. This allows flavors to meld and filling to firm up.

Step 7: Prepare For Serving

Transfer chilled filling to a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe into cannoli shells just before serving to maintain crispness.

Step 8: Garnish And Finish

Dust with additional powdered sugar. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Tips for Getting the Right Cannoli Texture

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, fluffy texture without over-mixing.
• Measure Ingredients Accurately: Use proper measuring tools for dry and wet ingredients to maintain precise proportions for consistent cannoli filling results.
• Zest with Care: Grate citrus zest carefully using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath the colorful outer layer.
• Control Moisture Balance: Pat ricotta cheese with paper towels to remove excess liquid, preventing watery or runny filling consistency.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate filled cannoli shells for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and achieve optimal taste and texture.

Storage Tips for Cannoli Cream Leftovers

• Store leftover cannoli filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it cool and fresh in the refrigerator.
• Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the filling to prevent skin formation and maintain creamy texture.
• Skip freezing cannoli filling as it may separate and lose its smooth, rich consistency when thawed.
• Bring refrigerated filling to room temperature for 15 minutes before using, then pipe into fresh cannoli shells for the best taste and texture.

Desserts That Work Great with Cannoli Filling

• Moscato d'Asti or Vin Santo create magical companions, offering light sweetness that complements the rich ricotta filling.
• Strong Italian espresso cuts through the creamy texture, balancing the cannoli's sweetness with bold coffee notes.
• Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries provide bright, tangy contrast against the dense, sweet ricotta mixture.
• Dark chocolate pieces or shavings sprinkled alongside enhance the filling's depth, introducing subtle bittersweet undertones that dance with the creamy ricotta.

Fun Variations for Classic Cannoli Cream

• Gluten-Free Cannoli Filling: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour to create a celiac-friendly version while maintaining rich, creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace ricotta cheese with cashew cream or silken tofu for a smooth, plant-based filling that keeps the traditional cannoli taste.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of powdered sugar, reducing overall sugar content without compromising flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Incorporate mascarpone cheese with erythritol and mix in chopped nuts to create a low-carb cannoli filling suitable for ketogenic diets.

Cannoli Filling Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy Sicilian cannoli filling combines ricotta, sugar, and vanilla for a luscious dessert delight. Rich flavors blend perfectly, offering you a classic Italian treat that whispers sweet memories of Sicily’s culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (30 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest

Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins:

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk
• 23 tablespoons milk or orange juice
• ½ cup (80 g) mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)
• Colored sprinkles
• Chopped nuts

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Instructions

1. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium mixing vessel to create a harmonious dry ingredient blend.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture, approximately two minutes of vigorous beating.
3. Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and citrus zest into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough integration of these aromatic components.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, and mix until just combined, maintaining a smooth, consistent batter.
5. If desired, gently fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to enhance the flavor profile and add textural complexity.
6. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
7. Portion the dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, carefully rolling each into a perfect ball with gentle hands.
8. Arrange the dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately two inches apart to allow for proper expansion during baking.
9. Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake until the cookies achieve a delicate, golden-edged perfection.

Notes

• Customize filling thickness by adjusting ricotta draining time, allowing longer draining for a denser, less runny texture.
• Experiment with alternative sweeteners like powdered monk fruit or stevia for lower-sugar dietary needs.
• Use lactose-free ricotta or almond-based ricotta for dairy-free variations, maintaining authentic cannoli flavor profile.
• Boost flavor complexity by incorporating subtle spices like cardamom or whisking in finely grated dark chocolate for depth.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 275
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg