Ingredients
Scale
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
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!
Share this recipe with loved ones for the next get together!