Fresh, homemade cannoli cream is easier than you think to make. With my How to Make Cannoli Cream tutorial, you’ll fill cannoli shells in no time! This popular Italian recipe has been shared over 500,000 times on social media!
Cannoli Filling
Buckle up, folks, because I’m showing you how to make cannoli cream today! Italian pastries are my favorite, and this is my all-time favorite dessert. They are very popular during the Christmas and Easter seasons (especially if you live back east).
I can remember the first time that I had a cannoli. It was at a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant in my hometown of Southington, Connecticut. It was sweet (but not overly sweet), crunchy, and had the most fantastic texture.
I was hooked instantly.
Since I cannot resist these Italian pastries anytime, I see them on a restaurant menu.
I love a good cannoli, but sadly, they’re hard to find outside of the Northeast. Over the years, this Connecticut girl has learned how to make them out of necessity.
My recipe for the cannoli filling is every bit as good as what you can get back east.
Reader Reviews
This recipe is by far one of my most popular, and it’s the best cannoli filling I’ve ever had. Don’t believe me? Well, you don’t need to take my word for it, here’s what some of my readers have said about this recipe:
Jenn: These were on my “must make” list, and I’m so glad I found this easy peasy recipe for cannoli cream – thank you!
Ruth V.: Jillian, I had success making this cannoli filling several times, and it was delicious.
Paula: I am a Cannoli-aholic! I learned to make the cream spot on to your recipe and was taught that the whipping cream addition makes all the difference in the world!
Cook’s Note:
Disclosure: Affiliate links are below.
- This cannoli filling recipe calls for strained ricotta. For instructions on straining ricotta cheese, see how to strain ricotta cheese.
- To fill the pastry shells with the filling, I use a pastry bag and a coup to fill the pastry shells with the filling. That’s it. I don’t use an icing tip because the mini chocolate chips tend to clog it.
- This recipe will make enough filling to fill 20 small and 12 large cannoli shells.
Let’s Take A Minute To Discuss Cannoli Shells:
You can either make them from scratch or buy them. These are my favorite large and small premade cannoli shells.
To make homemade shells, you’ll need to buy cannoli forms, make the dough, chill the dough, roll out the dough, wrap the dough around the forms, and then fry.
Making a homemade pastry shell takes time, but it is SO worth it! Check out my tutorial on how to make cannoli shells for all the details.
If you buy the shells, there’s no shame in it. A lot of bakeries and even restaurants do the same thing.
My all-time favorite shells are from World Market. You get a set of 20 mini shells for $4.99! Well worth it, in my opinion!
Also, if you don’t have a World Market nearby, then Amazon is to the rescue! These are my favorite cannoli shells from Amazon.
What is cannoli cream made of?
The cream recipe calls for just six essential ingredients:
- Whipping cream: This makes the cream light and not too dense.
- Ricotta cheese: This gives the classic cannoli flavor and texture.
- Powdered sugar: Just a little bit goes a long way. You want to taste the ricotta cheese and not sugar!
- Pure vanilla extract: Pure and nothing less. When making uncooked recipes, it’s best to use pure vanilla extract.
- Ground cinnamon: Just a touch adds a tasty flavor dimension.
- Mini dark chocolate chips: The mini chips are easier to pass through your pastry bag or Ziploc bag. Plus, the mini chocolate chips complement the size of the cannoli well.
How do you thicken up the filling?
This question is a hard one, so it’s imperative to strain the ricotta before you use it in the filling. But, if the filling starts to become runny, you can thicken it with a few ground almonds that you process in a blender or food processor until they are almost like almond powder.
How long does this cannoli filling last?
Unfortunately, with fresh ingredients like whipped cream and ricotta cheese, this filling will not last long in the refrigerator. I recommend keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than two days.
I do not recommend freezing the filling because ricotta cheese and freshly whipped cream do not freeze and defrost well.
Where does Cannoli come from?
These Italian pastries come from the island of Sicily in the city of Palermo. They’re a staple of Sicilian cuisine as well as Italian-American cuisine.
Is it cannoli or cannolis?
In Italian, the singular is cannolo, and the plural is cannoli. English speakers generally use cannoli/s for the singular and the plural.
If you love these Italian pastries as I do, then check out these other recipes:
Flavor and Recipe Variations:
- Instead of chocolate chips, you can use chocolate shavings or chopped pistachios.
- Also, I’ve had some pastries with a bit of grated orange peel added to the filling.
- You can sprinkle them with powdered sugar and even add a maraschino cherry to either end too.
More Delicious Recipes
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Italian Soda
- Coconut Cream Cake
- Birthday Rice Krispie Treats
- Buttermilk Syrup Recipe
- Shirley Temple Drink
- Red Velvet Cheesecake
- Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Cranberry Bliss Bar Recipe
- Easy Macaroons
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How To Make Cannoli Cream
Video
Equipment
- fine mesh strainer
- cheesecloth
- mixing bowls
- stand mixer or handheld mixer
- rubber scraper
Ingredients
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 15 ounce container whole milk ricotta cheese, strained
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup mini dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Place the cream into a small bowl and set aside.
- In the same mixing bowl, add the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix on medium speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Fold in the whipped cream and chocolate chips.
- Chill the cream for at least 2 hours before filling the cannoli shells.
Notes
Nutrition
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I first tried these as a little girl. They were a special wedding treat! Now I needed the filling recipe from you. I made my shells on a pitzel iron and rolled them up. Before filling, I dipped the end in melted dark chocolate. After filling, I drizzled chocolate lines over top. Served at Ladies Church Luncheon! Thanks.
Renee Mossotti, do you have a recipe to make the ricotta that you use? Thanks!
I just use store-bought ricotta but really strain it! Here’s a tutorial: https://foodfolksandfun.net/how-to-strain-ricotta-cheese/
Why does my cannoli cream get grainy and I followed your recipe step by step which was easy ??
Grainy cannoli cream can result from overmixing or using ricotta that isn’t fully drained. Even when following a recipe precisely, if the ricotta has too much moisture, it can lead to a grainy texture. Make sure to drain the ricotta thoroughly before mixing, and mix the cream just until smooth to avoid overworking it.
Made the cannoli shells and cannoli cream. Recipe was very easy to follow. Made approximately 12 cannoli. Better than store bought.
When I made the cream I used marscaponi cheese instead of whipping cream and added orange zest.
I took a picture of my final creation. People were in awe.
I have been using whipped. Cream with the ricotta for years and it’s always turned out wonderful! I double the recipe and put mini chocolate chips in half and pistachios ( chopped up ) in the other half. So yummy.!
Love the addition of the whipping cream
The Cheaper the Ricktta the more water volume the Ricotta will have. Maggio or Polly-O was perfect.
Thank you for a Great recipe..
“Assolutamente fantastico”
Thank you for the recipe..
My question is:
How long can you store the cream?
I recommend keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than two days.
Ok not rain on anyones parade cannoli filling is made with impastata ricotta not regular ricotta. The water content is to high my father a veteran pastry chef from italy for almost 60 years always used impastata this will improve you mixture in a big way and by the way heavy cream is brilliant so bravo on that
Definitely need impastata ricotta. Regular even drained is way too wet.
I made these with good ol American grocery store ricotta cheese , I drained it in a strainer over a bowl overnight and it came out wonderful, not watery at all it was very creamy and yummy! I think I put a tad too much cinnamon thats the only thing Ill be more careful of next time. I dont want anyone to shy away from making it bc of the ricotta bc its do able for sure and a Very Good recipe .
Impastata ricotta is just drained and strained ricotta through a seive. I learned this from my husbands Nona from Carpignano Sesia, Italy and make it all the time.
I’m also from Southington- Plantsville actually- Strong Elementary! I’ve been using this recipe all fall, and It’s great! I always double it. Because I make my own ricotta it’s hard to know how much is in a 15 oz container.