Easy Homemade Cannoli
If you've ever had a cannoli from an Italian restaurant or cafe before, you know how delicious these delicate little pastries are. A good cannoli perfectly complements a nice, strong cup of coffee, but a great cannoli is perfect all on its own. Everyone should know how to make a basic cannoli if only to impress your friends when they come over for dinner. While this recipe definitely takes a while to make, and maybe even a little while to master, the end result is well worth the trouble. This easy Italian dessert recipe is one of the classics, and now you can make it in the comfort of your own home!
NotesDo not fill the cannoli shells until you are ready to eat them or they will become soggy.
Makes24 cannoli
Preparation Time30 min
Chilling Time1 hr
Cooking Time - Text45-60 minutes
Ingredients
- Cannoli Shells
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon sweet Marsala
- Filling
- 2 cups whole milk Ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 quart canola oil (for frying shells)
- 1 egg beaten
- 24 whole maraschino cherries, drained of juice
- 1/2 cup crushed pistachios
- confectioner's sugar for dusting
For more classic Italian favorites, check out our full collection: 24 Easy Italian Desserts
Instructions
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Prepare the cannoli shell dough by whisking the flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
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Using your fingers or a pastry cutter work the butter into the flour until you have a sandy consistency.
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Mix in the egg yolk, wine and marsala until the dough comes together and is smooth, do not over work the dough or it will be tough.
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Place the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and gently press down, cover and chill until you are ready for the dough.
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While the dough is resting prepare the filling. In a medium bowl add the ricotta. Add the confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon. Mix gently to blend well.
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In a chilled bowl beat the heavy cream until you have stiff peaks.
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Gently fold the whipped cream into the ricotta mixture.
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Stir in the chocolate chips and orange zest.
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Cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
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While the filling is chilling prepare the cannoli shells.
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In a medium heavy sauce pot heat the oil to 360 degrees F.
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On a flat surface sprinkle some flour. Divide the dough into thirds. Cover the dough pieces not being rolled out with plastic wrap so they do not dry out.
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Roll each piece of dough to about 1/8-inch thick. Using a bowl that has a 3-4 inch diameter cut around the bowl with a small sharp knife.
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Wrap each dough circle around a cannoli mold. Seal the top edge with some egg wash pressing to secure and flare out the edges slightly.
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Carefully place the cannoli mold into the hot oil using tongs to submerge. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy.
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Using the tongs, carefully remove cannoli shell from the oil. Hold the mold in one hand with the tongs and gently hold the shell in your other hand using a clean kitchen towel. Carefully slide the shell off of the mold. Place on a cooling rack over several paper towels to drain and cool.
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Repeat until all the shells are fried.
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Place the cannoli filling into a pastry bag and pipe each end of the shells with the filling making sure the entire shell is filled.
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Place a whole cherry at one end and crushed pistachios on the other end. Dust with confectioner's sugar.
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Rnbowgrl
Jul 01, 2017
Omg this sounds so amazing! Never having tried a cannoli...what better way to do it than to make it yourself. The filling alone sounds like a treat, I can only imagine the results when they're finished. Is it possible to bake the shells instead of fry them and where would I find cannoli molds?
AllFreeCopycatReci pes Editor
Jul 03, 2017
You can buy cannoli molds at almost any kitchen store, or home goods retailer in the kitchen supply section. You can also search for them online to order. I would check Amazon first for a good deal, but I know Sur La Table sells them. Also, you can definitely bake the shells. Here's a recipe from one of our Italian bloggers: https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/baked-cannoli/ Thanks for stopping by RecipeLion! Have a great day!
shelizabeth99
May 19, 2017
I always expect cannoli filling to be sweeter, and this recipe is no different. I'm sure it would be easily tweaked, though. There was also a slight lemon taste, which I didn't like because I'm not a fan of fruity desserts. But it wasn't bad! The shell was nice and light and crunchy.
nashmeow
May 16, 2017
Homemade cannoli always seemed like it would be really difficult, but it doesn't have to be. These are light and tasty, and the filling isn't overly sweet - which is a good thing. I love how this recipe mixes things up and puts pistachios on one and and a cherry on the other!
Polly Esther
May 16, 2017
I wish these treats had a bit more flavor. I was expecting the cream to be sweeter.
ErinJ
May 16, 2017
A very light and not overly sweet cannoli! Perfect for after-dinner coffee.
jthelander1231
May 16, 2017
I really liked the crunchy pistachios in the filling. It gave the pastry a unique texture.
shelfconsciouskati e
May 16, 2017
These cannoli were delicious! Great way to enjoy an Italian treat at home.
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