Description
This classic Ricotta Cannoli recipe features a creamy, light, and fluffy ricotta filling perfectly combined with sweet powdered sugar, fresh orange zest, mini chocolate chips, and pistachios. Easily piped into mini or large cannoli shells, this no-bake dessert offers a delightful crunch and a harmonious balance of flavors, ideal for an elegant Italian treat or festive occasion.
Ingredients
Ricotta Filling
- 1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 small orange, zested (about 1 teaspoon zest)
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips, divided
- ⅓ cup shelled pistachios, lightly chopped, divided
Cannoli Shells
- 24 mini cannoli shells or 12 large cannoli shells
For Garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the drained ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and freshly grated orange zest. Using a handheld mixer, whip the mixture on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it becomes light, smooth, and fluffy, ensuring the flavors are well blended.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Pistachios: Gently fold in ¼ cup of the mini chocolate chips and ¼ cup of the chopped pistachios into the ricotta blend, distributing them evenly without deflating the mixture.
- Fill Cannoli Shells: Transfer the ricotta filling into a piping bag. Carefully pipe the filling into each cannoli shell, filling both ends adequately to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Add Final Garnishes and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips and chopped pistachios on the exposed ends of the filled cannoli shells. Dust the assembled cannoli lightly with powdered sugar for a refined finish. Serve immediately to maintain shell crispness and enjoy the contrast of textures.
Notes
- Drain the ricotta thoroughly using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer overnight or for several hours to prevent watery filling.
- For a citrus twist, you can substitute the orange zest with lemon or lime zest.
- If mini cannoli shells are unavailable, large shells work well; just adjust the amount of filling accordingly.
- Prepare the filling just before serving to keep the shells crisp and avoid sogginess.
- For an extra touch, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the cannoli shells before filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
