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The Best Cannoli Cookies Recipe

The Best Cannoli Cookies Recipe
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These Best Cannoli Cookies perfectly capture the essence of traditional Italian cannoli in a crunchy, bite-sized cookie with a creamy ricotta filling. Crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and offers customizable options to suit any occasion or flavor preference.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ricotta Filling Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (ensure drained of excess moisture)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

For Dusting & Garnish

  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Optional: crushed pistachios or melted chocolate for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and powdered sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and work it into the flour mixture using your fingers or a pastry cutter until it forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until a smooth dough ball forms. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
  2. Roll and Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough until about 1/8-inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter approximately 3 inches in diameter to cut out circles. Place each circle on a parchment-lined baking tray and carefully shape them over a cannoli form or thick straw to create tubes. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool completely before removing the forms.
  3. Prepare the Ricotta Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the drained ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in mini chocolate chips. Chill this filling in the refrigerator to firm slightly before assembling the cookies.
  4. Assemble the Cookies: Once the shells are completely cooled, fill a piping bag with the prepared ricotta filling. Pipe the filling generously into each cannoli shell without overfilling to prevent spilling. Dust the assembled cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an attractive finish.

Notes

  • Keep the dough chilled to ensure crisp, well-shaped cookies.
  • Do not overfill the shells to avoid sogginess from spilled filling.
  • Use high-quality ricotta and drain excess moisture for the best filling consistency and flavor.
  • Try variations such as dipping cookies in chocolate, adding nuts to the filling, or incorporating citrus zest for extra flavor.
  • Fill cookies just before serving to keep shells crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: cannoli cookies, ricotta cookies, Italian dessert, creamy filling, crunchy cookies, homemade cannoli

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/the-best-cannoli-cookies-recipe/