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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Reader Interactions

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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

How do you stiffen cannoli fillings? ›

To thicken, add cornstarch 1 tbsp. at a time until desired consistency is reached. Add cannoli cream to a bowl to dip your Golden Cannoli Chips, or a pastry bag to fill your Golden Cannoli Shells, and serve with your favorite toppings!

Why is my 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.

What is the difference between cannoli and Sicilian cannoli? ›

Here are a few distinctions: The Venetian shell is in a cylinder shape while the Sicilian shell looks like a bow tie wrap. While the Sicilian dough is deep-fried, the Venetian dough is baked. The traditional Venetian filling is made of heavy cream cheese mixed with vanilla bean.

What brand of ricotta is best for cannoli filling? ›

Classic Cannoli Ricotta | Galbani Cheese.

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 makes cannolis so good? ›

The crispy pastry shell is made with the usual suspects: flour, sugar, whole eggs, and butter. It's usually spiked with marsala, a fortified wine that adds distinct flavor and sweetness. The alcohol also helps tenderize the pastry, ensuring a pleasantly flaky finished product.

How do you keep cannoli from getting soft? ›

Don't Fill Them Until Just Before Serving

If you let it get too soggy, it falls apart and the taste gets ruined! The same is true for a good cannoli. For the best taste and structure from your treats, don't pump the shells with their filling until just before you're about to serve them.

What is cannoli icing made of? ›

In a large bowl, beat mascarpone, ricotta, almond and vanilla with hand or stand mixer, until creamed. Beat in powdered sugar and remaining condensed milk until smooth. Spread cannoli frosting evenly over top of the cake. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.

What is a substitute for ricotta cheese in cannolis? ›

Mascarpone. For any sweet recipe, this is a great substitution – cannoli, tiramisu, cheesecake — the sky's the limit.

How do you keep cannoli shells crisp? ›

Our unfilled cannoli shells should be stored in an air tight container, just like you would store ice cream cones. We do not recommend refrigerating them because with constant temperature changes the shells can lose their color. However, filled shells should be kept in the fridge until served.

Why don't my cannoli shells have bubbles? ›

Oil that is too cool will cook the dough in place without bubbling it up. It results in a shell that is crunchy and hard, not crispy and light. Oil that is too hot can burn your shells, but it can also create too much steam too quickly and puff up the shells in a bad way.

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.

What does "Holy Cannoli" mean? ›

It has nothing to do with Italian. It just means "holy crap" or "wow, I cannot believe it!" It is used to express shock or surprise at something incredibly good or incredibly bad.

What do Italians call cannoli? ›

In Italian, cannoli is plural; the singular is cannolo ( Italian: [kanˈnɔːlo]; Sicilian: cannolu, Sicilian: [kanˈnɔːlʊ]), a diminutive meaning 'little tube', from canna, 'cane' or 'tube'.

What is cannoli ice cream made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: MILK, CREAM, MASCARPONE BASE [SUGAR, MASCARPONE CHEESE (MILK, CREAM, CITRIC ACID), CORN SYRUP, EGG YOLK, WATER, SALT], CORN SYRUP, LIQUID SUGAR, SKIM MILK, BUTTERMILK, COATED CANNOLI SHELLS [VEGETABLE OIL (COCONUT, PALM, AND SOYBEAN), WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, EGGS, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR], CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, ...

What cheese are cannolis made of? ›

Perfectly crisp, golden pastry tubes filled with a creamy, dreamy ricotta cheese and chocolate filling — yes, I'm talking about cannoli! Cannoli are a delightful and impressive dessert to serve at dinner parties with cups of hot coffee.

What are cannoli cones made of? ›

Cannoli Cones: Ingredients & Equipment

sugar ice cream cones – these turn your cannolis into Cannoli Cones! dark chocolate chips – you'll dip the opening of your cones in melted dark chocolate for an extra sweet crunch. mini semisweet chocolate chips – an addition to your cannoli filling.

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