Dreamy Homemade Cannoli Filling Recipe: Creamy Italian Bliss

Sweet ricotta cannoli filling might just be the secret weapon in every italian pastry chef’s arsenal.

Creamy textures and rich flavors combine to create a dessert that speaks directly to your culinary soul.

Classic recipes often miss the mark, but this version promises pure magic.

Mascarpone and ricotta dance together, creating a smooth blend that melts on your tongue.

Professional bakers understand the delicate balance of ingredients that make this filling exceptional.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and passion from Sicily’s most beloved dessert.

FAQs

• Why do I need to drain the ricotta overnight?

Draining removes excess water, preventing a runny filling and ensuring a thick, creamy texture for your cannoli.

• Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator, which helps the flavors meld together.

• What if I don't have mascarpone cheese?

No problem! The mascarpone is optional, and your cannoli filling will still be delicious using just ricotta, powdered sugar, and other ingredients.

• How do I get a smooth filling consistency?

Ensure your ricotta is well-drained and use a whisk or electric mixer to blend the ingredients until creamy, avoiding lumps in the mixture.

Flavor Elements That Make Cannoli Filling a Winner

• Effortless Preparation: Crafting this cannoli filling requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for home bakers of all levels.
• Customizable Flavor Explosion: Easily adapt the recipe by adding different mix-ins like chocolate chips, candied orange peel, or experimenting with unique spices to match your taste preferences.
• Quick and Convenient: Minimal ingredients and simple steps allow you to whip up this delectable filling in no time, ideal for spontaneous dessert cravings or last-minute gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: This versatile cannoli filling works wonderfully for family dinners, potlucks, birthday parties, or as a special treat that impresses guests with its rich, creamy texture and delightful flavors.

Cannoli Filling Ingredient Breakdown

• Ricotta Cheese: Classic Italian cheese with a smooth, creamy texture.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Rich and silky cheese for extra smoothness.

• Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic flavor.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle spice.

• Mini Chocolate Chips, Orange Zest, Candied Orange Peel: Provide texture and bright citrus notes.

Cannoli Filling How to Prepare

Step 1: Prepare Ricotta Cheese

Grab your ricotta and let it drain overnight in the refrigerator using a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer. This magical step removes extra moisture, ensuring your filling stays perfectly creamy and smooth.

Step 2: Create Smooth Filling Base

• Powdered sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract

Whisk everything together until the mixture transforms into a velvety, dreamy consistency that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Enhance Texture With Mascarpone

Gently fold in mascarpone cheese to elevate the filling’s silkiness and add a luxurious mouthfeel. This secret ingredient brings an incredible richness to your cannoli.

Step 4: Add Delightful Mix-Ins

• Mini chocolate chips
• Orange zest
• Candied orange peel

These tasty extras will provide bursts of flavor and texture throughout your filling.

Step 5: Chill And Set Filling

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour. This resting time allows flavors to meld and the filling to firm up perfectly for piping.

Step 6: Fill And Serve Cannoli

Pipe the chilled filling into crisp cannoli shells. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to indulge in this delectable Italian treat.

Cannoli Filling Tips That Keep It Light and Sweet

• Drain Thoroughly: Use cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess moisture from ricotta, ensuring a thick and creamy filling without wateriness.
• Smooth Texture Trick: Blend ingredients with an electric mixer or whisk until completely smooth, eliminating any lumps for a professional-quality filling.
• Flavor Boost: Experiment with different mix-ins like chopped pistachios, candied citrus peel, or dark chocolate chunks to customize your cannoli experience.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the filling for at least an hour to enhance flavors and help it set properly, making piping into shells easier and more precise.
• Storage Smart: Keep filled cannoli refrigerated and consume within 24 hours for the best taste and texture, preventing soggy shells and maintaining crisp freshness.

Proper Storage for Cannoli Filling

• Store cannoli filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep sealed and chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer filling to a freezer-safe container, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.
• Avoid microwaving the filling, as it can separate and lose its creamy texture. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before serving.
• For best taste and texture, consume filled cannoli within 24 hours. The shells may become soft if stored too long with filling inside.

Sweet Pairings for Cannoli Filling

• Sip Sweet Marsala Wine: Complement the rich, creamy cannoli filling with a glass of traditional Marsala wine from Sicily, enhancing the dessert's sweet and tangy notes.
• Enjoy Espresso Contrast: Serve a strong, bold espresso to cut through the sweetness and provide a robust counterpoint to the delicate cannoli texture.
• Match with Citrus Sorbet: Cleanse the palate with a light, zesty orange or lemon sorbet that echoes the cannoli's orange zest and provides a refreshing finish.
• Sprinkle Roasted Pistachios: Garnish the plate with crushed roasted pistachios to add a nutty crunch that complements the creamy filling and provides textural contrast.

Cannoli Filling Styles

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace ricotta with cashew cream or tofu, using coconut cream and almond extract for a creamy alternative that suits vegan and lactose-intolerant diets.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap powdered sugar with erythritol or stevia, use full-fat cream cheese instead of ricotta, and add almond flour to maintain a rich, low-carb filling.
• Nut-Infused Cannoli: Incorporate ground pistachios or almonds into the filling, creating a nutty depth and adding extra protein and texture to the traditional recipe.
• Fruit-Forward Filling: Replace chocolate chips with dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries, and use lemon zest instead of orange for a bright, tangy variation that refreshes the classic cannoli.

Cannoli Filling Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sicilian cannoli feature creamy ricotta blended with sweet powdered sugar, offering a luxurious dessert that whispers Mediterranean charm. Rich chocolate chips and delicate orange zest elevate this classic Italian treat, promising pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese (drained)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (or more to taste)
• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese (for extra creaminess)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish/Optional:

• Orange zest or chopped candied orange peel

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Instructions

1. Transfer the ricotta into a cheesecloth-lined strainer, positioning it over a bowl to capture excess liquid, and refrigerate overnight for thorough moisture elimination.
2. Select a spacious mixing vessel and combine the well-drained ricotta with powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and pure vanilla extract, whisking meticulously until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
3. For enhanced richness, delicately incorporate mascarpone cheese, folding gently to maintain the filling’s delicate texture.
4. Introduce miniature chocolate chips and fragrant orange zest, stirring with a light touch to distribute ingredients evenly without compromising the mixture’s smoothness.
5. Seal the filling in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the mixture to solidify slightly.
6. When prepared to serve, transfer the chilled filling into a piping bag fitted with a wide tip, carefully filling crisp cannoli shells from both ends to ensure complete coverage.
7. For optimal taste and texture, serve immediately after filling or store briefly in a refrigerated environment to preserve the cannoli’s crispness and creamy interior.

Notes

• Drain ricotta thoroughly to prevent watery filling, ensuring a thick and creamy texture that holds its shape perfectly.
• Sift powdered sugar to eliminate lumps, creating a smoother and more consistent filling with no grainy texture.
• Fold mix-ins gently to maintain the delicate structure of the ricotta mixture, preventing overmixing that could make the filling dense.
• Customize the filling by experimenting with alternative mix-ins like chopped pistachios, dried fruit, or different spices to create unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 8 hours
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 40mg