Description
Mini Cannoli Bites offer a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, featuring crisp mini cannoli shells filled with a smooth and sweet ricotta cheese mixture, studded with mini chocolate chips and optionally garnished with chopped pistachios. Perfect for parties or a quick sweet treat, these bite-sized desserts are easy to prepare and require no baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Shells
- 12 mini cannoli shells
Filling
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Optional Garnishes
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Prepare Workspace: Gather all ingredients and necessary tools, including mixing bowls, a spatula, a piping bag (or zip-lock bag), and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to make assembly smooth and organized.
- Mix Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, blend the ricotta cheese and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then, stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly to infuse flavor.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the ricotta mixture using a spatula to evenly distribute without deflating the creaminess.
- Fill Cannoli Shells: Transfer the prepared filling into a piping bag or a zip-lock bag with a corner cut off. Carefully pipe the filling into each mini cannoli shell until they are just filled to the brim.
- Garnish: For an extra touch of texture and flavor, dip the ends of each filled cannoli shell into chopped pistachios or additional mini chocolate chips.
- Chill: Place the filled mini cannoli bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the filling to firm up for optimal taste and texture before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the ricotta is well-drained to avoid a watery filling.
- Use whole milk ricotta for creamier and richer texture; part-skim ricotta is a lighter alternative.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pistachio garnish.
- These bites are best served chilled but should be consumed within 1-2 days of assembly for freshness.