Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe: Irresistibly Sweet Bites of Joy

Sweet adventures often begin with unexpected delights like these mini cannoli cups that capture the essence of traditional Italian pastry.

Small desserts can pack massive flavor punch when crafted with care and precision.

Naples-inspired treats sparkle with creamy ricotta and delicate shell crunch that melts in you mouth.

Each bite transports you to sun-drenched Mediterranean streets where pastry chefs create magic with simple ingredients.

Compact and irresistible, these miniature cups promise a gourmet experience without complicated preparation techniques.

Crisp pastry shells cradle smooth ricotta filling that whispers stories of old-world bakeries.

You’ll want to gather friends and savor every delectable moment of these charming little desserts.

Mini Cannoli Cups That Bring Italian Flair to Dessert

• These mini cannoli cups take just 15 minutes to prepare, making them perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings or last-minute gatherings.
• Swap chocolate chips for chopped pistachios, add orange zest, or experiment with different flavor variations to suit your taste preferences.
• Small, bite-sized cups are fun for children to eat and create a delightful dessert that appeals to both kids and adults without messy traditional cannoli preparation.
• Skip the complicated cannoli shell frying process and enjoy a simplified dessert that delivers all the classic cannoli flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients Checklist for Mini Cannoli Cups

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base that provides smooth texture and mild dairy flavor, best when well-drained and fresh.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Rich Italian cream cheese that adds luxurious smoothness and depth to the filling.

• Powdered Sugar: Light sweetener that dissolves easily and creates silky smooth consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that adds warm, sweet undertones to the cannoli filling.
• Cinnamon: Optional warm spice that provides subtle depth and traditional Italian dessert character.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Small chocolate pieces that create delightful bursts of sweetness and add interesting texture to the cannoli cups.

Craft Mini Cannoli Cups with These Instructions

Whip Up Creamy Cannoli Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Mascarpone cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon (optional)
• Mini chocolate chips

Grab your electric mixer or whisk and beat the cheese mixture until it transforms into a silky, luxurious blend. The goal is achieving a super smooth consistency that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, creating little pockets of chocolatey goodness throughout the creamy mixture. Each stir should be soft and careful, ensuring the chips are evenly distributed without breaking up the delicate texture.

Transfer the filling into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. This will help you create picture-perfect dollops when you’re ready to fill your cannoli cups.

Serve Up Mini Cannoli Cups with These Helpful Tips

• Drain Ricotta Thoroughly: Pat ricotta cheese with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a thick and creamy filling without watery consistency.
• Chill for Better Texture: Refrigerate the filling for 30 minutes before piping, helping it set and intensify the flavors.
• Customize Chocolate Chips: Swap mini chocolate chips with chopped pistachios or orange zest for a unique twist on the traditional cannoli flavor.
• Prep Ahead Option: Make the filling a day in advance and store in an airtight container to save time during party preparation.
• Crisp Pastry Shells: Use pre-made phyllo or pie shells and toast them briefly in the oven for extra crunchiness before filling.

Store Mini Cannoli Cups Without Losing Texture

• Store leftover cannoli cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover tightly to prevent them from absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap individual cups in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll keep well for 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Never leave these creamy treats out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety.
• Enjoy straight from the refrigerator for the best texture and taste. Dust with fresh powdered sugar right before serving to keep the topping crisp and beautiful.

Great Companions for Mini Cannoli Cups

• Enhance the creamy, rich cannoli filling with a classic Marsala wine from Sicily, which complements the dessert's sweet and delicate flavors.
• A strong, aromatic espresso cuts through the richness of the mascarpone and ricotta, providing a perfect balance and traditional Italian coffee experience.
• Add a tangy raspberry or strawberry compote on the side to create a bright, fresh contrast to the sweet chocolate chip cannoli cups.
• Crisp almond biscotti provides a delightful textural crunch that pairs beautifully with the smooth, creamy filling and adds a traditional Italian touch.

Cannoli Cup Variations with Fun Fillings

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace traditional pastry cups with almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker shells to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Swap powdered sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining a delicious creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute ricotta and mascarpone with coconut cream or cashew-based cheese alternatives for those with dairy restrictions.
• Nutty Flavor Boost: Add crushed pistachios or toasted almonds into the cheese mixture for extra crunch and nutty complexity, enhancing the traditional cannoli profile.

Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Italian Mini Cannoli Cups bring Sicily’s sweet charm to your dessert table with crispy pastry shells and creamy ricotta filling. Guests will savor each bite of these miniature treats that perfectly balance rich flavors and delicate textures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (125 g) mascarpone cheese
• 1 package (15-20) mini phyllo shells

Cheese Filling Components:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅓ cup (60 g) mini chocolate chips

Garnish:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Gather a medium mixing bowl and blend ricotta and mascarpone cheeses until uniform in texture, using an electric mixer or sturdy whisk.
2. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, ensuring a silky consistency without lumps.
3. Infuse the mixture with vanilla extract and optional ground cinnamon, continuing to mix until the flavors integrate seamlessly.
4. Gently fold miniature chocolate chips into the creamy filling, distributing them evenly without deflating the delicate mixture.
5. Transfer the prepared cannoli cream to a piping bag or spoon, ready to fill crisp pastry shells or serving vessels.

Notes

• Drain ricotta cheese thoroughly overnight in a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess moisture, ensuring a thick and creamy filling.
• Use room temperature cheeses for smoother blending and better texture when mixing the filling ingredients.
• Customize the chocolate chips by using mini dark, milk, or white chocolate chips to suit different taste preferences.
• Prepare the cannoli cups ahead of time and store the filling separately to maintain optimal crispness of the pastry shells.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg