Cannoli Dip

This easy, creamy cannoli dip gives you all the joy of the classic Italian dessert without any of the fuss!

Imagine all the creamy, sweet, and crunchy goodness of a cannoli, but in a form that’s perfect for dipping and sharing. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert for a get-together, a sweet snack for family movie night, or just a delightful treat to brighten your day, this homemade cannoli dip recipe has got you covered. And the best part? Just like my cheesecake dip, it’s incredibly easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients and no baking required!

Why You’ll Love This Cannoli Dip Recipe

• Effortlessly easy. With minimal ingredients and no cooking required, this dip comes together in a snap. It’s perfect for when you need a quick, impressive dessert without a lot of fuss.
• Perfectly creamy. Thanks to the combination of rich mascarpone and smooth ricotta, this dip achieves a luxuriously creamy texture that’s just irresistible.
• Make-ahead magic. Prepare this dip in advance and let it chill until you’re ready to serve. It’s a stress-free, make-ahead dessert that’s perfect for gatherings.
• Customizable. You can easily tweak this recipe to suit your taste. Whether you add a dash of cinnamon, some lemon zest, or a sprinkle of your favorite nuts, you’ll find tasty ways to make it your own.

What You’ll Need

See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions. Here are some notes about the ingredients:

• Ricotta cheese – I recommend whole milk ricotta for the best flavor and texture. Be sure to strain it well. (See my notes below for some tips for doing that.)
• Mascarpone cheese – Like the ricotta, full-fat mascarpone will give you the best results.
• Confectioners’ sugar – Also labeled as powdered sugar. I’ve listed a quantity range in the recipe so you can adjust the sweetness level to your preferences.
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract – You can omit this if you like, but I encourage you to use it for the great depth of flavor it adds.
• Chocolate chips – Mini chocolate chips work best here. I like semisweet chocolate in this dip.
• Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.

How to Strain Ricotta Cheese

It’s important to strain the ricotta so your dip isn’t runny. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Line a strainer or colander with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Scoop the ricotta into the cloth, and gently gather the edges of the cloth and twist to secure. Let it sit in the refrigerator while it strains.
• Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and add the ricotta. Since the sieve has smaller holes than a colander, it can effectively strain out the liquid. Leave it in the refrigerator to drain; for best results, you may want to stir the ricotta occasionally to ensure more uniform straining.
• Place a coffee filter inside a strainer or colander, then set it over a bowl. Spoon the ricotta into the coffee filter and let it drain in the refrigerator for a few hours. Coffee filters are fine enough to catch the whey while allowing you to easily dispose of it afterward.
• Lay a few layers of paper towels on a plate or inside a shallow bowl. Spread the ricotta over the paper towels in an even layer. Cover with another layer of paper towels and press gently to absorb the excess liquid. This method is quicker but might not remove as much liquid as the others.

No matter the method you use, keep the ricotta refrigerated while straining. And remember that the longer you strain it, the firmer and less moist it will become. For this recipe, I usually strain the ricotta with a cheesecloth for about 20 minutes but you can let it sit in the refrigerator up to overnight.

Can I Substitute Cream Cheese for Mascarpone?

Mascarpone is known for its smooth texture and slightly sweet, buttery flavor, which contributes to the richness of dishes. Cream cheese, while denser and tangier, can be a good alternative with a few adjustments to get the texture and flavor right.

To mimic the lighter, creamier texture of mascarpone, you can mix the cream cheese with a bit of heavy cream or sour cream. A good starting ratio is about 1 tablespoon of heavy cream or sour cream per 4 ounces of cream cheese. And because cream cheese is tangier than mascarpone, you might want to add a touch more powdered sugar or vanilla extract to your dip to balance the flavors.

How to Make Cannoli Dip

You’ll have this easy dessert dip mixed and chilling in short order. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to do:

• Strain the ricotta. Use one of the methods described above to remove excess liquid.
• Mix the cheeses. With a hand mixer or a whisk, combine the ricotta and mascarpone cheeses until well mixed.
• Finish mixing. Mix in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract until thoroughly combined and smooth.
• Add the chocolate chips. Fold them in gently, reserving some to use as a garnish when serving.
• Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Serve. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Serve with your favorite dippers. See below for some of my favorite serving suggestions.

Variations

There are plenty of ways to customize this cannoli dip to suit your tastes. Here are a few ideas to inspire your own creativity:

• Citrus twist. Add about a teaspoonful of orange zest or lemon zest for a fresh flavor addition.
• Nutty addition. Fold in up to a cup of chopped pistachios or toasted almonds. This can be in addition to or in place of the chocolate chips.
• Spice it up. Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon (or cinnamon sugar) on top before serving, or mix about a teaspoonful of cinnamon into the dip.

Serving Suggestions

Half the fun of this cannoli dip is serving it with a variety of dippers. These are some of my favorites for serving alongside it:

• Cannoli shells or cannoli chips – Break cannoli shells into chip-size pieces or look for cannoli chips at your grocery store.
• Cinnamon-sugar pita chips – These add a bit of spice and a wonderful crunch.
• Waffle cones – Break waffle cones into pieces for dipping.
• Cookies – Crisp cookies like graham crackers, waffle cookies, pizzelle cookies, vanilla wafers, and even chocolate chip cookies!
• Fresh fruit – Strawberries, apple slices, or some of your other favorites.

How to Store

Keep your cannoli dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep up to 5 days, but it will be at its best within the first couple of days. You may need to stir it to reincorporate everything before serving.

Can This Cannoli Dip Be Frozen?

I don’t recommend freezing this cannoli dip because it can alter the texture of the cheeses, making them grainy or watery once thawed.

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