Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (2024)

by Ashley Manila 109 Comments

An easy and delicious recipe for 5-Ingredient Cannolis! This classic Italian dessert is always a crowd-pleaser. So if you’ve been searching for a foolproof recipe for cannoli filling, this one’s for you!

Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (1)

Cannoli

I woke up the other day and realized something terrible… I’ve never shared with you my mega simple recipe for 5-Ingredient Cannolis with you! So many recipes… so little time! But I really wanted to squeeze this one in before the holidays. So I dropped everything, walked to the store (I don’t drive… did you know that?), grabbed my ingredients, and got busy. Lucky for us, this impressive recipe is sneaky simple. I’m talking 15 minutes of active work simple.

So, shall we cannoli? I promise making homemade cannoli is so much easier than you think 🙂

Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (2)

What is a Cannoli?

A Cannoli is a form of pastry that originated on the Island of Sicily. Most cannoli consist of tube-shaped shells of deep fried pastry dough that are then filled with a slightly sweet and creamy filling, that’s usually made from ricotta cheese.

Every time I make this recipe I get a little nostalgic. My grandmother taught me how to make cannoli many moons ago and the memory is one of my favorites. I must confess my gran made her cannoli shells from scratch (and man were they good), but most days I just don’t have time for that so I buy them from our local pastry shop or the grocery store. One day I’ll get it together and post her cannoli shell recipe too, but for now, feel free to use store bought shells or make your own using your favorite recipe.

Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (3)

Cannoli Recipe

Ingredients:

  • cannoli shells, homemade or store bought will work
  • ricotta cheese
  • confectioners’ sugar
  • mini chocolate chips
  • vanilla extract

Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (4)

Tips and Tricks for Recipe Success:

  • The most important part of this cannoli recipe is draining your ricotta cheese. It MUST drain. At least 12 hours, preferably overnight. If you use it as is, your cannoli cream filling will be wet and grainy and make your shells soggy. To drain, you’ll want to place the cheese in a fine mesh strainer and cover it with a piece of saran wrap. Place some pie weights (or just dry beans) on top of the saran wrap and place the strainer over a bowl. Pop the bowl in the fridge until needed. You’ll be surprised to see how much liquid comes out!
  • As mentioned earlier, I used store bought cannoli shells. Bellino cannoli shells are very good and what I use if my local pastry shop is out of fresh ones. You can also make and use your favorite homemade cannoli shell recipe.
  • Although I prefer a simple cannoli with just a dash of vanilla extract, feel free to make these your own! Add in orange zest, chopped pistachios, or even sprinkles! Just be sure not to make the filling too chunky if you plan on piping it into the shells.
  • If you can’t find mini chocolate chips at your local grocery store, you can click here to buy them online. Or use the filling as a cannoli dip and serve with broken up waffle cones or graham crackers.
  • Don’t forget the powdered sugar! I also set aside a 1/2 cup for dusting the cannoli shells. It adds a subtle sweetness and gives the dessert a stunning presentation.

Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (5)

If you try this Easy Cannoli Recipe, let me know! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bakerbynature on instagram! Seeing your kitchen creations makes my day. ♥

More Italian Ricotta Dessert Recipes:

  • Mini Ricotta Cheesecakes
  • Ricotta Chocolate Layer Cake
  • One-Bowl Lemon Ricotta Cupcakes

Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (7)

5-Ingredient Cannolis

Ashley Manila

Homemade 5-Ingredient Cannolis are super easy and so impressive!

PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Inactive Time 12 hours hrs

Total Time 12 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 cannolis

Ingredients

  • 8 cannoli shells, homemade or store bought will work
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar, plus extra for dusting
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Optional:

  • 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest

Instructions

  • Place the ricotta cheese into a fine mesh strainer and place it in the fridge to drain for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.

When you're ready to make the filling:

  • In a large bowl combine the drained ricotta cheese, confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and orange zest (if using); mix well. Using a spatula, carefully scrape the mixture into pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch open tip. Use at once, or refrigerate until needed; filling can be made up to 24 hours in advance.

  • When ready to serve, pipe the filling into one end of cannoli shell, filling shell halfway, then pipe into other end. If you don't have a piping bag, you may spoon the filling into the shells. Repeat with remaining shells.

  • Place remaining mini chocolate chips on a small plate. Dip each end of the cannoli into the chocolate chips, then lightly dust with confectioner's sugar. Serve at once.

Notes

The filling may be made and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Once the cannoli shells have been filling, serve them right away. Cannolis are best eaten the day they are made.

Tried it and loved it?Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @Bakerbynature and by using the hashtag #BakerByNature

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  1. Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (13)Cecelia says

    The only bad thing about a recipe turning out great is that everyone wants a dozen, yesterday!

    Thank you for a fabulous and easy recipe: made my own shells as wells because I have a large family. Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (14)Cindy says

    Made these for a dinner and tasted great! We used sugar wafer ice cream cones, drizzled inside with “magic shell” for extra flavor. Great success. Thx for sharing the recipe.

    Reply

    • Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (15)Ashley Manila says

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Cindy! And love the idea of using “magic shell” for extra flavor.

      Reply

  3. Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (16)Esctasy says

    Cannolis is creamy inside and crispy outside, exactly the right thing I needed as a treat to lift my mood. My kids loved this treat and I also felt elated at every bite. After experiencing the gloomy blue for awhile I knew this one made me feel so cheerful.

    Reply

  4. Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (17)Emma Wilson says

    Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (18)
    In last few days, I tried this dish to make in my home but I didn’t know how to make it. When I read this content and try this recipe in my home I was totally surprised. I got the actual test. Thank you for this recipe. I hope you will continue your journey and gave us such beautiful idea.

    Reply

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Easy 5-Ingredient Cannolis Recipe - Baker by Nature (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional cannoli filling made of? ›

What is cannoli filling made of? It's traditionally made with ricotta cheese and sugar. As we know it today, it also contains heavy whipping cream, whipped and sweetened with sugar.

What makes a good cannoli? ›

Whole milk ricotta cheese - The creamy ricotta filling is what makes cannoli so good! Whole milk ricotta has the best flavor and typically isn't as watery as skim varieties. But even whole milk ricotta needs to be strained so that you don't end up with soggy cannoli.

Is mascarpone or ricotta better for cannoli? ›

Cannoli is traditionally made with ricotta, but some people prefer mascarpone. It simply depends on your personal preference.

What is the difference between cannoli and Sicilian cannoli? ›

There is no difference because by definition there are only sicilian cannoli. A cannolo is a sicilian pastry. There is no other regional varietal. There are of course cannoli of hugely different quality both in sicily and elsewhere.

What is the difference between Italian and American cannoli? ›

Chief among them is the type of milk used for each. The Italian version makes use of sheep's milk, while Italian-American cannoli employs cow's milk (leading to significant distinctions in taste and consistency).

What can I use to thicken cannoli filling? ›

Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and continue mixing. Add vanilla and mix until combined. To thicken, add cornstarch 1 tbsp. at a time until desired consistency is reached.

What is holy cannoli? ›

“Holy” Cannoli are a Sicilian dessert. Sicilian pastry chefs form and fry dough rounds, they then fill them with a ricotta filling or sometimes, a cream filling. They are absolutely delicious, not too sweet and are just fun to eat treats.

What is a Roman cannoli? ›

The Cannolo, or little tube, is Italy's best-known Sicilian pastry dish. It consists of a fried tube-shaped shell and is filled with a sweet cheese cream filling. Cannoli are a truly timeless dessert that will usher you back into the heart of ancient Sicily.

How do you thicken cannoli filling without ricotta? ›

If the cannoli filling is too thin and runny, take two tablespoonfuls of the filling and place in a glass bowl. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Heat in microwave 45 seconds, stir until smooth texture and add to the filling.

Why won't my cannoli filling thicken? ›

I've found that the number one reason why cannoli filling isn't thick is that the ricotta cheese wasn't drained. This one simple step is SO important if you want a thick filling! And it's so easy to do! To drain the ricotta, you simply line a fine mesh strainer with a cheesecloth and place it over a bowl.

What do Italians call cannoli? ›

Etymology. In English, cannoli is usually used as a singular, but in Italian, it is grammatically plural; the corresponding singular is cannolo ( Italian: [kanˈnɔːlo]; Sicilian: cannolu [kanˈnɔːlʊ]), a diminutive meaning 'little tube', from canna, 'cane' or 'tube'.

Why is my cannoli filling gritty? ›

Most cannoli fillings call for mascarpone cheese as a base, but what many people don't know is that there are different types of mascarpone, some smooth and creamy, and others a little more grainy, but they are not necessarily called anything different.

What brand of ricotta is best for cannoli filling? ›

The best ricotta for making cannoli cream is Sorrento whole milk. It is the preffered cheese of cannoli cream manufactures because it is creamy, dry, and smooth.

What's the difference between a cannoli and a lady lock? ›

Lady locks are light, airy pastry cookies that are filled with sweet pastry cream. Shape-wise, it's like cannoli, but it will have a softer exterior and fluffier interior.

How many cannolis per person? ›

We recommend two cannoli per person. Assortments can be customized with a one dozen minimum per flavor.

What's the difference between mascarpone and ricotta cheese? ›

Texture: Ricotta has a grainy texture, like cottage cheese, and mascarpone has a smooth, creamy texture, similar to heavy whipping cream. Mascarpone is a more spreadable cheese than ricotta. Taste: Ricotta is brighter and more acidic than mascarpone. Mascarpone has a slightly sweet, milky flavor.

What makes cannoli filling grainy? ›

Over time recipes have begun using powdered sugar as both the sweetener and to stabilize the watery ricotta, but this, in turn, makes the filling a grainy and overwhelmingly sweet pastry cream. To fix this dilemma, I use a mixture of ricotta, mascarpone, goat cheese with granulated sugar.

Does cannoli have lard in it? ›

What are the ingredients of Sicilian cannoli. The cannolo dough is made of flour, sugar, egg, lard, vinager, marsal wine. The dough is worked by hands, stretched and finally rolled around the mould. The fragrant paste is gently killed in lard (pig fat), deep fried in it with no mercy.

What are the ingredients in Wegmans cannoli filling? ›

RICOTTA CHEESE (WHOLE MILK, VINEGAR, SALT), SUGAR, CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, COCOA BUTTER, SOY LECITHIN [EMULSIFIER], VANILLA), NATURAL FLAVOR.

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