Cannolis are a classic Italian treat that people all over the world can enjoy!
That crunchy shell, the creamy filling...what more could you want?
But making and filling a whole batch of cannolis is a tedious task that can be too daunting for a lot of people.
That's why these cannoli bites are the perfect dessert that you can customize and share with the entire family!
What You'll Need
Cannoli Cups
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting work surface
- 2 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg white
- 6 - 8 Tbsp apple juice or grape juice*
- 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar (red wine vinegar or plain white vinegar would be fine)
- Vegetable oil cooking spray
Cannoli Filling
- 12 oz whole milk Ricotta cheese, strained
- 8 oz Mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar**
- 1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
- Optional toppings:
- Melted chocolate, chopped pistachios, sprinkles, toasted sweetened coconut
How To Make Them
For the cannoli cups:
- Add flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt to a food processor and pulse until blended. Pour in melted butter and pulse until well combined then add egg white and pulse until blended. In a bowl combine juice and vinegar, with processor running slowly pour in juice mixture and pulse just until mixture begins to come together. Divide dough into two pieces, shape into balls and transfer to a resealable bag. Chill in refrigerator 30 minutes - 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees during last 10 minutes of refrigeration.
- Meanwhile prepare filling. In a mixing bowl, using a rubber or silicone spatula, blend together Ricotta and Mascarpone cheese while running and pressing mixture along bottom of bowl to remove any lumps. Fold in powdered sugar. Cover and chill 30 minutes (or until ready to use).
- Roll each chilled dough out on a lightly floured surface (dust top with flour too) into a 14-inch circle, to about an 1/8-inch thickeness. Cut into circles using a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter. Transfer rounds to an ungreased mini muffin tin, pressing evenly into sides and bottom of muffin well. Spray tops evenly with vegetable oil spray (I just poured vegetable oil in to my Misto to spray). Bake in preheated oven 11 - 13 minutes until lightly golden (I liked these best crisp). Remove from oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Once cool dip tops in chocolate if desired then into coating if using (such as pistachios) and allow chocolate to set.
- Remove cannoli filling from refrigerator, transfer to a piping bag fitted with a tip (or you can use a large resealable bag and cut the tip of the end). Pipe filling into cups and sprinkle with chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar.
For best results serve within 2 hours. Store in refrigerator.