Description
This Cannoli Dip is a creamy, sweet dessert dip inspired by classic cannoli flavors. Featuring a smooth blend of ricotta and mascarpone cheese combined with powdered sugar, vanilla, and mini chocolate chips, it’s perfect for casual gatherings or a festive treat. Serve chilled with an assortment of dippers like cookies, strawberries, or broken waffle cones for a fun and easy-to-share dessert option.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, drained
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese as a substitute)
Sweeteners & Flavorings
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins & Toppings
- ¾ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
Dippers (for serving)
- Pizzelle cookies
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Broken waffle cones
- Strawberries
- Broken cannoli shells
Instructions
- Drain the Ricotta: To ensure the dip has a thick and creamy texture, lay the ricotta cheese on paper towels to press out excess moisture or use a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to thoroughly drain it.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained ricotta and mascarpone cheese. Use a hand mixer on medium-high speed to beat the mixture for several minutes until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cheese mixture. Start beating on low speed to avoid powder flying, then increase to medium-high speed until everything is fully combined and silky smooth.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Using a spatula, gently fold in all but two tablespoons of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Reserve the remaining chocolate chips for garnish on top.
- Chill the Dip: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to thicken. If short on time, the dip can be served after 15 minutes chilling.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved mini chocolate chips and optionally dust with powdered sugar on top. Serve chilled with your choice of dippers, such as pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, strawberry slices, broken waffle cones, or broken cannoli shells. Enjoy!
Notes
- Draining the ricotta thoroughly is key to preventing a watery dip and achieving the right creamy consistency.
- If mascarpone cheese is unavailable, cream cheese can be used as a substitute for a slightly tangier flavor.
- Feel free to customize dippers based on preference—fruit, cookies, and crunchy cones all work well.
- For added richness, a splash of orange zest can be stirred into the dip before chilling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
