By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 19, 2020
I’ve got your next dessert covered with this easy cannoli recipe! Made with store-bought shells, the filling is the star of the show. I loaded it up with fresh ricotta, orange zest, vanilla, candied ginger, and chocolate chips for a creamy texture and a zesty flavor. These cannolis are so simple to make and so delicious!
This is such a foolproof and easy cannoli recipe! The filling comes together in a flash, and it’s great in traditional shells or as a dip with cookies or crackers. These gorgeous golden tubes of loveliness are so simple to make but look like they should adorn a patisserie shop window – perfect for parties!
What’s in This Easy Cannoli Recipe
- Ricotta Cheese : I recommend using whole milk ricotta, such as BelGioso , for the smoothest texture and richest taste.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the filling.
- Orange Zest: Adds a touch of fresh citrus flavor to the filling. You can omit this if you’re not a fan, but I really like it!
- Vanilla Extract : Enhances the sweet flavor fo the filling.
- Candied Ginger: Adds a touch of zestiness and warmth to the filling.
- Chocolate Chips: Miniature semisweet chocolate chips add a pop of chocolate flavor.
- Cannoli Shells: I used store-bought cannoli shells. They are pretty common in most grocery stores. You can of course make your own if you desire.
Tips for Success
- I found that I didn’t need to strain the whole milk BelGioso ricotta, but if you use a wetter brand (or homemade ricotta), you’ll need to strain it. To do this, place a paper towel over the ricotta still in the container. Turn the ricotta and container upside down and set it in a fine mesh sieve for 30 minutes. Discard the excess whey.
- When mixing your filling, it should come out a little fluffier than at first.
- Make sure to refrigerate the filling in an airtight container at least 2 hours before piping into shells.
- Use a piping bag fitted with a piping tip just smaller than the opening of the cannoli shells.
- Powdered sugar is optional but adds a lovely look to the cannolis and provides a subtle sweetness to complement the tangy filling.
How to Store
I have found that these cannolis taste best within 2 hours of filling them. I recommend keeping them refrigerated until just before serving. They will keep for up to 2 days in the fridge, but the shells will begin to soften over time.
Serving Suggestions
These cannolis are ripe for toppings. More chocolate chips or candied ginger pieces would be delish, but don’t be afraid to really have fun. Chopped pistachios, melted chocolate, or rainbow sprinkles are all great choices.
5-Star Review
“I love this recipe and highly recommend it! I love cannoli so this is a quick recipe I love!” -Bob
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 16 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese 454 grams, BelGioioso recommended
- ▢ ⅔ cup granulated sugar 133 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon orange zest 6 grams (from ½ orange)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger 17 grams
- ▢ ¼ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips 43 grams
- ▢ 8 (5-inch) cannoli shells or mini cannoli shells
Extra Toppings (optional)
- ▢ Chopped pistachios
- ▢ Chopped mixed nuts
- ▢ Candied ginger
- ▢ Powdered sugar
Instructions
Read through the entire instruction list before starting
- Strain the ricotta over a fine-mesh sieve for 30 minutes if watery. 16 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
- Pour the cheese, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla into a medium bowl. Mix, using a hand mixer, on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. The mixture should be a little fluffier than at first. ⅔ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon orange zest, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the candied ginger and chocolate chips and stir to combine. 1½ tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger, ¼ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
- Refrigerate in an airtight container at least 2 hours before piping into shells.
- Use a piping bag fitted with a piping tip just smaller than the opening of the cannoli shells. Fill the piping bag with the filling. 8 (5-inch) cannoli shells
- Fill one end of the cannoli shell, turn the shell around and fill the other end. If desired, dip the ends into chopped pistachios or other nuts, mini chips or your other favorite toppings. Chopped pistachios, Chopped mixed nuts, Candied ginger, Powdered sugar
- If desired, dust the cannolis with powdered sugar right before serving.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Fine Mesh Sieve (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Easy Dessert Recipes to Try!
Cake Mix Cookies
Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling
Cream Cheese Brownies
Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites
Easy Cannoli Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Fine Mesh Sieve (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set
Ingredients
- 16 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese 454 grams, BelGioioso recommended
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar 133 grams
- 1 tablespoon orange zest 6 grams (from ½ orange)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
- 1½ tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger 17 grams
- ¼ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips 43 grams
- 8 (5-inch) cannoli shells or mini cannoli shells
Extra Toppings (optional)
- Chopped pistachios
- Chopped mixed nuts
- Candied ginger
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
Read through the entire instruction list before starting
- Strain the ricotta over a fine-mesh sieve for 30 minutes if watery. 16 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese
- Pour the cheese, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla into a medium bowl. Mix, using a hand mixer, on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. The mixture should be a little fluffier than at first. ⅔ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon orange zest, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the candied ginger and chocolate chips and stir to combine. 1½ tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger, ¼ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
- Refrigerate in an airtight container at least 2 hours before piping into shells.
- Use a piping bag fitted with a piping tip just smaller than the opening of the cannoli shells. Fill the piping bag with the filling. 8 (5-inch) cannoli shells
- Fill one end of the cannoli shell, turn the shell around and fill the other end. If desired, dip the ends into chopped pistachios or other nuts, mini chips or your other favorite toppings. Chopped pistachios, Chopped mixed nuts, Candied ginger, Powdered sugar
- If desired, dust the cannolis with powdered sugar right before serving.
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
