Picture this: You’re wandering the quaint, cobbled streets of Sicily when a gentle breeze caresses your face, weaving through a vibrant and almost enchanting aroma that makes you stop. Your footsteps, almost guided by an invisible yet irresistibly sweet scent, lead you to a small and rustic pasticciere tucked away in a sun-dappled square.

As soon as you sit down, you are greeted by an elderly gentleman with a kind, wrinkled smile, gently cradling a tray of freshly made authentic cannolis, the golden-brown shells gleaming, and the rich, creamy cannoli dip filling, whispering and calling your name. An age-old culinary artistry that’s inspiring you to carry a piece of this Sicilian sweetness back home – in this super simple Italian recipe for cannoli dip.

If you’re looking for an easy recipe to make Cannoli – click here for the full recipe!

How to Make Italian Cannoli Dip

You’ve made your cannoli shells or waffle cones and want to get that delicious cannoli dip from Sicily – no worries, here’s an easy dip for your cannoli filling for a perfect sweet treat.

Here are the ingredients for the best results:

1 cup ricotta cheese, well-drained
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Zest of 1 orange (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional)

Alternative Ingredients:

Ricotta cheese – cottage cheese
Italian Cream cheese – mascarpone or heavy cream
Powdered sugar – granulated sugar, honey, or maple syrup

Flavor Add-Ins:

Vanilla extract – almond extract, orange extract
Chocolate chips – dark, milk, or white chocolate chunks, savings, or sprinkles
Orange zest – lemon zest
Pistachios – almonds, hazelnuts, or dried fruits like cherries or raisins

Step-by-Step instructions on Easy Cannoli Dip Recipe

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, blend together the ricotta cheese and cream cheese until smooth using a hand mixer or a stand mixer (if you have a food processor, this may make it even easier!)

Step 2: Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until well incorporated and smooth – you want to get that creamy texture.

Tip: Optionally, add orange zest for a bright, citrusy note.

Step 3: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and, if using, chopped pistachios, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture – if it clumps too much together, use a spoon to separate the chunks before mixing again.

Tip: Consider adding a dash of cinnamon or substituting some of the chocolate chips with candied citrus peel for a classic cannoli flavor.

Step 4: Then, refrigerate the cannoli cream for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the dip to firm up slightly.Before serving, stir this creamy dessert dip quickly and transfer it to a serving bowl. Here, you can sprinkle a few more chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, and a light dusting of powdered sugar on top for presentation – then, arrange your dippers around the bowl and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Here are some tips that I found to make this recipe even better or just easier to make:

Make sure to drain the ricotta cheese really well or it’ll be too moist and diluted – for this, you could put the ricotta into a cheesecloth-lined strainer over a bowl and drain it for an hour or overnight
When you’re blending the cheeses, make sure it’s smooth and lump-free – if you want it to be more fluffy, whip the mix for an additional minute or two to get that light texture
When adding other things, balance the flavor and adjust the sweetness as different ingredients and sweeteners can make it super sweet really quick – add some citrus zest to get some freshness

What to Serve Cannoli Dip with

Maybe you’ve ran out of cannoli, or you made a lot more of the dip than you thought, no worries – you can easily use this dip for so many other things! This Italian dessert will definitely stand out When planning a party or game day!

Besides Cannoli, you can also use some of my favorite dippers:

Waffle cone pieces
Fresh fruit slices (like strawberries, apples, or pears)
Pretzels
Graham crackers
Pizzelle cookies
Vanilla wafers
Cannoli chips
Chocolate chip cookies

When it comes to drinks, choose a sweet wine, espresso, or Italian liquor to heighten this tasting experience even more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got questions about this recipe? No worries! We’ve got the answers!

Can I Make the Cannoli Dip in Advance?

Yes! You can make the cannoli dip a day in advance, just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. When ready, add any crunchy mix-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts, just before serving to maintain their texture.

Can I Freeze the Cannoli Dip?

Yes and no. You can freeze the cannoli dip, but it’s not recommended because the texture may change when you thaw it (since it adds water). However, if you have to freeze it, store it in an airtight container and eat it within a month for the best quality.

Tip: When you thaw it and it’s too watery, just add some more cottage cheese or mascarpone to it to get it fluffy again.

Can the Cannoli Dip be Used as a Filling or Topping?

Yes! This cannoli dip is quite versatile and can be used as a filling for crepes, a topping for cakes or cupcakes, or even swirled into other desserts like cheesecakes or ice cream – it’s reaalllly goood!

From Sicily, With Love: Italian Recipe Cannoli Dip

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Author: Anna Dykeman

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Instructions

In a mixing bowl, blend together the ricotta cheese and cream cheese until smooth using a hand mixer or a stand mixer (if you have a food processor, this may make it even easier!)
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until well incorporated and smooth – you want to get that creamy texture.
- Tip: Optionally, add orange zest for a bright, citrusy note.
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and, if using, chopped pistachios, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture – if it clumps too much together, use a spoon to separate the chunks before mixing again.
- Tip: Consider adding a dash of cinnamon or substituting some of the chocolate chips with candied citrus peel for a classic cannoli flavor.
Then, refrigerate the cannoli cream for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the dip to firm up slightly.
Before serving, stir this creamy dessert dip quickly and transfer it to a serving bowl. Here, you can sprinkle a few more chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, and a light dusting of powdered sugar on top for presentation
- Arrange your dippers around the bowl and enjoy!