Cannoli
Crisp shells filled with sweet ricotta cream.
Ingredients
- 12 Cannoli shells
- 500 g Ricotta
- 120 g Sugar
- 60 g Dark chocolate (optional)
- 1 Orange (optional)
Method
- Drain the ricotta well and beat smooth with the sugar.
- Fold in chopped chocolate and a little orange zest.
- Pipe the cream into the shells just before serving so they stay crisp.
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About Cannoli
Cannoli are the signature dessert of Sicily, tube-shaped fried pastry shells filled with a sweetened ricotta cream. The contrast is the entire idea: a shell that shatters crisply against a filling that is cool, soft, and lightly sweet. Traditionally the shells are fried until blistered and bubbled, and here they're used ready-made so the work centers on the cream, where it should. Well-drained ricotta beaten smooth with sugar forms the base, studded with chopped dark chocolate and brightened with a little orange zest, a Sicilian touch that cuts the richness.
Bitten into, a good cannolo gives that first crack of the shell before the creamy ricotta takes over, with pockets of chocolate and a citrus lift running through. They're a fixture of Italian celebrations, holidays, and Sunday tables, and pair naturally with strong espresso. The one rule that makes or breaks them is timing the fill: pipe the cream in only just before serving, because a shell filled too early goes soft and loses the crispness that defines the dessert. Draining the ricotta thoroughly is the other quiet key, since excess moisture both loosens the cream and hastens a soggy shell.
Cannoli: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Cannoli?
A serving has about 536 calories — 11.1g protein, 73.3g carbs, 21.3g fat, 3.8g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Cannoli gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Cannoli shells. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
Is Cannoli dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Ricotta. Swapping it for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
How long does Cannoli take to make?
About 25 minutes start to finish, but only around 14 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Cannoli?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out dark chocolate, orange — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Cannoli make?
This recipe makes 6 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.