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The Best Sicilian Ricotta Cannoli Filling
Traditional Cannoli are a staple of Sicilian cuisine and have been enjoyed for generations. The crispy shell holds a creamy ricotta cheese filling that makes cannoli special. With this recipe, you can make the best Sicilian ricotta cannoli filling and create this delicious and authentic Italian dessert at home.
Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 12 cannoli
Calories: 293 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese drained (see note)
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 12 large cannoli shells or 24 mini cannoli shells
- ½ cup chopped pistachios or mini chocolate chips or both
Notes
- fine mesh strainer
- cheesecloth
- Using good quality ricotta cheese is essential to the success of this recipe. You can use homemade ricotta cheese, which is easy to make and adds a special touch . If using store bought, look for impastata ricotta, which has been strained and blended to be extra thick and smooth, and can be found at Italian markets. If using ricotta from the grocery store, you must strain it first so that it's nice and thick.
- If using store bought ricotta, first drain it in a fine mesh strainer lined with paper towels or cheesecloth, over top of another bowl, in the refrigerator overnight. It allows the ricotta to drain its liquid and get nice and thick, which will prevent the pie from being runny or getting soggy.
- It’s important to serve the cannoli immediately after making because the shells get soggy when they sit.
- It’s best to keep the cream and shells separate, then fill them to order or right before serving so they stay fresh and crisp.
- Add different flavorings to your cannoli filling, such as orange zest or lemon zest, almond extract, or add the chocolate chips and pistachios right to the cream. But keep in mind this will make it harder to pipe out!
- You can serve this cannoli cream as a party dip instead with broken pieces of cannoli shell or other dippers like cookies and pretzels or slices of apple and pear. It’s a great option if you can’t fill the cannoli to order so that the shells do not get soggy.
Nutrition Information
Calories
293kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Cholesterol
38mg
(13%)
Sodium
43mg
(2%)
Potassium
94mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
446IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
0.2mg
(0%)
Calcium
111mg
(11%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12cannoli
Amount Per Serving
Calories 293
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 293kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 43mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 94mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 446IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 111mg | 11% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.