My husband has an Italian heritage, and I’m all for it! Pasta, bread, and cannolis are delicious Italian staples. I’ve got the first two down, but homemade cannolis are not something that I’ve purchased the equipment for. So when I signed up to bring an Italian dessert to our next church function, I went for my easy cannoli dip instead! It requires no special equipment, it’s delicious, and it comes together in under 10 minutes (talk about the best of all worlds!). Learn how to get the taste of a real cannoli, but without the hassle, (plus 3 fun ways to serve it) below!
Supplies Needed
- Measuring spoons: I love these measuring spoons.
- Measuring cups: These measuring cups are my favorite.
- A mixer and bowl: I use my vintage stand mixer with the stainless steel paddle attachment, but you can use any hand mixer or stand mixer that you have!
- A spatula: I prefer silicone spatulas for scraping down the bowl.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips
- Dippers: Such as crushed waffle cones, pretzels, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, fruit, etc. You can optionally drizzle them in melted chocolate, white chocolate, and/or crushed nuts if you prefer.
Directions
Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and dump it into your mixing bowl. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until smooth.
Next, add the ricotta cheese, and beat on low to medium speed for about 4 minutes, or until smooth and thoroughly combined. Make sure to scrape the bowl down occasionally.
Then, add the powdered sugar and beat to combine. You may choose sift the powdered sugar first if it is clumpy.
Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
Remove the bowl from the mixer, and add the mini chocolate chips. Fold them in with your spatula.
This can be served immediately while it is soft, or it may be chilled until ready to serve for a firmer and more structured dip.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
3 Ways to Serve
Cannoli Cones
This is probably the most fun and whimsical way to serve this easy cannoli dip!
Allow the dip to set up in the fridge for about 1-2 hours, and then use an ice cream scoop or dough scoop to fill the inside of waffle cones. If you like, you can also provide different topping choices including additional chocolate chips, crushed nuts, sprinkles, and syrup.
Depending on the size of your cones, you can get anywhere from 8-14 cannoli cones per batch of dip.
Individual-Serving Jars
This is a way to serve a portioned amount of dip without having to scoop and serve cones immediately.
After mixing your dip, use a dough scoop to portion it into jars. Chill until ready to serve. Optionally top with your favorite waffle dippers, additional chocolate chips, crushed nuts, sprinkles, or syrup just before serving. A spoon is recommended as well!
One batch of dip will make approximately 12 of the 4oz jars.
Party Dip
This is a great no-fuss way to serve a large group of guests, serving it chips and dip style!
Simply spread the dip into a bowl of choice (I used one from my glass bowl set), and place your dippers on the side. Additional toppings are optional.
This will serve 12-18 guests, depending on how much dip they get for themselves!
Easy Cannoli Dip, Served 3 Ways
Course: Dessert, Natural Food12
servings10
minutes335
kcalGet the taste of a real cannoli, but without the hassle. This decadent, easy cannoli dip requires no special equipment, and it comes together in under 10 minutes! There are 3 creative ways to serve it as well.
Ingredients
30oz. ricotta cheese
8oz (1 block) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Dippers: Such as crushed waffle cones, pretzels, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, fruit, etc. You can optionally drizzle them in melted chocolate, white chocolate, and/or crushed nuts if you prefer.
Directions
- Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and dump it into your mixing bowl. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until smooth.
- Add the ricotta cheese, and beat on low to medium speed for about 4 minutes, or until smooth and thoroughly combined. Make sure to scrape the bowl down occasionally.
- Add the powdered sugar and beat to combine. You may choose sift the powdered sugar first if it is clumpy.
- Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer, and add the mini chocolate chips. Fold them in with your spatula.
- This can be served immediately while it is soft, or it may be chilled until ready to serve for a firmer and more structured dip.
- Try Serving One Of These Ways
- Cannoli Cones: Allow the dip to set up in the fridge for about 1-2 hours, and then use an ice cream scoop or dough scoop to fill the inside of waffle cones. If you like, you can also provide different topping choices including additional chocolate chips, crushed nuts, sprinkles, and syrup. Depending on the size of your cones, you can get anywhere from 8-14 cannoli cones per batch of dip.
- Individual-Serving Jars: After mixing your dip, use a dough scoop to portion it into jars. Chill until ready to serve. Optionally top with your favorite waffle dippers, additional chocolate chips, crushed nuts, sprinkles, or syrup just before serving. A spoon is recommended as well! One batch of dip will make approximately 12 of the 4oz jars.
- Party Dip: Simply spread the dip into a bowl of choice (I used one from my glass bowl set), and place your dippers on the side. Additional toppings are optional. This will serve 12-18 guests, depending on how much dip they get for themselves!
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Approximate Nutritional Information Per Serving: 335 calories, 31g carbs, 20g fats, 7g protein, 166g sodium, 29g sugar
