italian dessert recipes


Cannoli Filling Recipes



Cannoli filling recipes are the creamy filling inside the cannoli shells.

There are two schools of thought as to what cannoli filling recipes are the best. Some say using ricotta is the best. And others say using mascarpone is the best.

The mascarpone filling recipe is easier. And it does have a bit of ricotta too, it's not totally mascarpone. But mascarpone is more expensive and sometimes tough to find (especially if you don't live in a city.)

So, I list both filling recipes here.

So, not only is cannoli is one of the most popular Italian Dessert Recipes but the presentation is a big deal. In my photos on my Cannoli Recipes you can see I dipped the edges of the cannoli in melted chocolate and dip in nuts, candies, or sprinkles.

If you want to jazz up the filling (the inside) with candied fruits, chocolate chips etc... check out some of the ideas in the substitutions and FAQs listed below.

Thanks for stopping by. And if you are holding some extra ricotta cheese after making one of these cannoli filling recipes - check out my Ricotta Cheese Recipes to help you use up the extras!

Lisa

Cannoli Filling Recipe with Ricotta

YIELD: Approx 16 mini shells

FILLING:

* 1 pound ricotta cheese

* 1/4 cup cornstarch

NOTE:I need a bit more cornstarch. We use 2% or non-fat milk due to my borderline high cholesterol. I'd advise whole milk if you aren't on any health restriciton.

* 1 1/3 cups milk (WHOLE milk if you can - otherwise improvise and use more cornstarch)

* 1/2 cups sugar (I use powdered)

* 1/2 tsp almond extract

* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

* 1/4 tsp cinnamon (This is optional - my kids actually hope I DON'T add it!---BUT I usually do! :-) )

* In a bowl, slowly whisk 1 cup of the milk into the cornstarch until it becomes smooth.

Let sit about 20 minutes.

* Put mixture into sauce pan and add the remaining milk and sugar to the milk-starch. Stir over a low heat until it is thick and smooth. Remove from heat.

* Stir in the almond and vanilla extracts.

Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the filling to avoid "skin" (you know that gross stuff)

* Wait for mixture to come to room temperature. Find something to do in that time, but it does need to cool.

* AFTER the mixture is at room temperature - THEN add the ricotta cheese and cinnamon to the cornstarch.

* Pipe the filling into cannoli shells.

Cannoli Filling Recipe with Mascarpone

YIELD: Approx 16 mini shells

FILLING:

* 3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (drained overnight w/ cheesecloth & squeezed dry)

* 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese

* 1/4 cup powdered sugar

* 1/2 tsp vanilla or Grand Marnier

* 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

* pinch of salt



* Mix filling ingredients together.

* Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (at least a couple of hours).

* Use a ziploc ( cut the corner ) and pipe into the shells.

* Let the filling smoosh out of each end of the shells, just a tad.

* Keep the cannoli refrigerated until dessert time or whenever you are ready to serve.

* Some people sprinkle powdered sugar on top right before serving.

Servings: 16

How long will cannoli keep?



Sorry this isn't a make ahead and freeze dessert. You will want to fill the cannoli shells a few hours before serving. They get soggy quick.

Need ideas to add to the filling?



Here's some traditional goodies you can add to either of the cannoli filling recipes:

  • vanilla


  • chocolate


  • pistachio


  • candied citrus peel


  • cherries


  • Marsala wine


  • rosewater (or other flavorings)


    • Can I skip the Marnier?



    Yup. Not a problem. You can skip it - or create your own creation and choose a flavoring of your choice.


    How do I get the filling into the shell?



  • Put the filling in a pastry bag with a wide tip opening (or a freezer ziploc bag with the corner snipped off).


  • Hold a cannoli shell in one hand and the ziploc/freezer bag in the other hand.


  • Gently squeeze the filling into both ends of the cannoli shell to fill the cannoli.


    • Where can I buy Cannoli shells?



    Usually in a larger supermarket. Check the International food section. I listed a couple of other places to check for shells if your supermarket doesn't carry them. See the cannoli recipes page for more ideas.


    Back to the top of Cannoli Filling Recipes



    Lisa Gianotti Superbowl Sunday is coming up! The best Italian Dessert Recipes for a party like this are ones that are:

    FAST

    Finger Foodish (not big hunky sticky globs of gooey-ness that get on your furniture)

    And freeze-aheads

    A couple of my favs for this are Cappucino Cookies (lots like choc chips but with a twist)

    Anisette Cookies (Always on the top 5)

    Rum Balls (Gingersnaps and Rum)

    Let's not for get the drinks to go with the beer that will be present! Check out my Italian drinks section for that.

    Lisa


    Would you like to share this page? You know how to do it! Thanks for sharing the sugar love!




    Recipes on this site are from family cookbooks, family traditions, or intentional adaptations from traditional recipes to add an Italian flair. If a recipe was adapted or used from another cook - it is mentioned on the recipe page and the recipe author is given credit.