How-To Make Cannoli Cream
To fill your store-bought shells, and make a winner of an Easter dessert!
This Cannoli Cream Recipe is as easy as it gets for a last-minute dessert idea! Just a few ingredients you can mix up in a bowl with a spatula, no need to drag out the mixer! Then all you have to do is pipe it into some store-bought cannoli shells.
Storebought Shells vs. Homemade?
Personally, I have found homemade shells to be too much work for a mediocre payoff!
Store-bought shells are much lighter, and crispier and way less effort! The hardest part about them is sourcing the Italian deli that sells them. But you can also get a big box of Cannoli Shells on Amazon if you plan ahead! They come 48 shells to a box so it’s best for a large gathering!
A Few Tips on the Cream:
The key is to mix the cheese, sugar and vanilla first to make sure the sugar and vanilla is combined well.
Then stir in the chocolate and the zest. Be sure the chocolate is chopped into small pieces that will fit through your pastry tip.
If your ricotta cheese is watery looking it’s best to drain it with a fine mesh sieve, lined with cheesecloth.
If your cannoli cream looks loose and needs thickening, add a little bit of cornstarch ( 1 tablespoon increments) until it’s thickened and comes together.
Then, pop it in the fridge until you are ready to use. And all you have to do is serve! Sooo easy and delicious too!
Tips for Filling the Cannoli Shells
To prevent your cannoli from getting soft, fill the cannoli shells just a few hours before filling, and they will remain crisp.
Create a “filling station” with the empty cannoli shells, the cannoli cream placed in a pastry bag, and the chopped pistachios.
Then set a rack over some parchment paper or a baking tray so you have a place to set them and add the nuts, while assembling them.
The cannoli cream may be a little bit loose, depending on how long you drained the ricotta and which brand you buy (funny enough, the Trader Joe’s Brand of Ricotta Cheese appears to be drier!), but not to worry, it will firm up in the refrigerator as it sets up overnight.
Pre-Order My Cookbook Here!
There is a photo of every recipe!
Each recipe has a notes section for tips and tricks to help you achieve success!
Each recipe has a “Make-Ahead Game Plan” to identify things you can prep beforehand.
Each recipe has a “Pairs well With” section that leads to other recipes in the book that pair well with each other, helping you create menus.
Or leave the planning to me! The back of the book has eight seasonal menus, from Thanksgiving to Mother’s Day, designed using recipes from the book and complete with game plans to help you manage the prep.
I also include entertaining advice on how to keep your cool while entertaining, how to build a collection of plates, flatware, and serving pieces, how to deal with awkward situations that will arise, and lots of fun personal stories from my own parties!
The book also comes with a snazzy book ribbon to help mark your place! (One of my favorite little details!)
I’ve been asked to assist with dessert for Easter Sunday Fellowship and this suggestion couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. Thank you again for your generosity of sharing the BEST recipes and entertaining suggestions with us here.