Five-Ingredient Cannoli Dip Recipe
If you love a good cannoli but don't love all the work that comes from filling the shells, have we got a recipe for you! This cannoli dip takes all the deliciousness of a cannoli but deconstructs it into an easy dip. We love this dip because it saves a ton of time, but it's also a wonderful way to serve cannoli at a party or for an easy dessert. Let's whip some up!
What is cannoli dip?
Cannoli dip is like the creamy filling in a cannoli pastry but in dip form! Because filling the cannoli shells is the most finicky and time-consuming part of making cannolis, this dessert dip is a huge time saver. Plus, it is a great simple dessert for parties! We especially love it on fresh fruit, pizzelle cookies, and waffle cone pieces.
What is cannoli dip made of?
To make this dip, you'll need:
- Mascarpone cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Mini chocolate chips
Protip: Swap smart!
Can't find mascarpone? Try it with cream cheese instead!
Can I use regular chocolate chips?
You can, but then you run the risk of not getting a little chocolate in every bite. If you only have regular-size chocolate chips, try chopping them with a knife or a food processor before adding them to the dip.
How do you make cannoli dip?
This dessert dip is ready in ten minutes or less! To make it:
- Use a hand mixer to beat the mascarpone cheese. Stop when it looks light and fluffy-you don't want to overmix it, or the final dip will be grainy.
- Add powdered sugar and mix until it is just incorporated.
- Add vanilla extract and ricotta cheese. Beat on low until the ingredients are just combined.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate on top.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, and your dip is ready to serve!
How should I garnish this dip?
We typically garnish our dip with a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips, but you can also top it with chopped nuts or crushed cannoli shells!
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What should I serve with cannoli dip?
There are so many foods that are delicious after a swipe through cannoli dip. Here are some of our favorites:
- Pizzelle cookies
- Waffle cones, broken into pieces
- Fresh fruit such as strawberries, apple slices, or melon
- Vanilla wafers
- Graham crackers
- Pretzels
Does cannoli dip need to be refrigerated?
Yep-this dip is heavy on dairy, so it should be kept in the refrigerator when not being eaten. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days (if it lasts that long!), and give the chilled dip a good stir before serving.
How long can cannoli dip sit out?
We don't recommend having the dip out at room temperature for more than two hours. That's about the limit of how long dairy can safely sit out!
What else can I do with this dip?
This cannoli dip isn't only for dipping! Try putting it on pancakes or waffles, or dollop some over ice cream.
Want more easy desserts like this one?
📖 Recipe
Creamy Cannoli Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips divided
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-low to beat ½ cup mascarpone cheese until light and fluffy.
- Add 1 cup powdered sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated.
- Add 1 cup ricotta cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and reduce speed to low, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in 1 cup mini chocolate chips.
- Transfer dip into a serving bowl, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mini chocolate chips on top, and serve with your favorite dippers.
Notes
- Set the ricotta and mascarpone on the counter for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature before you start prepping the dip. This will help them blend together and give you a smoother dip.
- For the smoothest possible cannoli dip, you can strain the ricotta before adding it to the mixture. Place the ricotta in a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl, cover, and let it drain in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
- Be careful not to overbeat the cheeses, or you'll end up with a grainy dip.
- You will get the creamiest, smoothest dip with whole milk ricotta cheese or part-skim ricotta cheese. We do not recommend using low-fat or fat-free ricotta.
- Add more or less powdered sugar if you want a less sweet or sweeter dip.
This cannoli dip is such a fun way to get the flavor of cannoli without the stress of filling shells or transporting delicate filled cannoli. We like to serve this with gluten free graham crackers!