Cannoli Dip is a creamy Italian dessert dip made with ricotta cheese, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and mini chocolate chips. It has all the sweet, creamy flavors of cannoli filling without having to make or fill individual cannoli shells.
Growing up around so much Italian food in Central New York, cannoli have always been a familiar dessert. This dip gives me those same creamy ricotta and chocolate flavors in a much easier recipe, and I can put it together in about 10 minutes when I need a simple dessert for sharing.
Why I Love Cannoli Dip
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Ricotta Cheese: Gives the dip its classic cannoli flavor and creamy texture. If your ricotta is very wet, drain off excess liquid first.
- Mascarpone Cheese: Makes the dip extra rich, smooth, and creamy.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dip while blending smoothly into the cheeses.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a little extra sweetness and vanilla flavor.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Give you chocolate in every bite without overpowering the creamy filling.
- For Serving: Broken waffle cones, graham crackers, and fresh strawberries are perfect for scooping up the dip.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to make Cannoli dip
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cheese mixture. Mix again until well combined and the dip is sweetened to your liking.
- Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.
- Transfer the cannoli dip to a serving bowl and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
- Serve the cannoli dip immediately with cannoli shells or cinnamon sugar pita chips for
dipping.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Drain wet ricotta: If you notice excess liquid in the ricotta, drain it before mixing so the Cannoli Dip stays thick and creamy.
- Let the mascarpone soften slightly: This makes it easier to blend with the ricotta without overmixing.
- Use powdered sugar: It dissolves smoothly into the cheeses and keeps the dip from having a grainy texture.
- Don’t overmix: Mix just until everything is smooth and combined. Overmixing can make the dip looser.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate the dip for about 30 minutes before serving to give it time to thicken and let the flavors come together.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cannoli Dip
Cannoli Dip is a creamy Italian dessert dip made with ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and mini chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- Broken waffle cones, graham crackers, and fresh strawberries, for serving
Instructions
- Add the ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese to a large mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until completely combined.
- Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, reserving a small amount for topping.
- Transfer the Cannoli Dip to a serving bowl. Sprinkle the reserved mini chocolate chips over the top.
- For the best texture, chill for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve with broken waffle cones, graham crackers, and fresh strawberries.
Notes
Drain the ricotta if it has excess liquid and let the mascarpone soften slightly before mixing. Chill the dip for about 30 minutes before serving for the best texture. Serve with waffle cones, graham crackers, or fresh strawberries.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 227Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g
