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Why You’ll Love My Recipe
This Cannoli Dip takes all the best parts of a classic cannoli and turns them into a sweet, creamy dip that’s perfect for sharing! It’s rich, decadent, and just a little bit savory, so it’s the perfect treat to serve at your next party with something crunchy for dipping.
Looking for more tasty dips for your next get-together? Try my simple Fruit Dip or Cream Cheese Fruit Dip. You can even put it all together with a beautiful Fresh Fruit Platter!
Karlynn’s Recipe Notes
- Skill Level: Traditional cannoli can be a little tricky to prep from scratch, but this dip is super easy to make! You get all that delicious cannoli-inspired flavor without the fuss of making pastry shells.
- Total Time: You’ll have dip prepared in 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Variations: This recipe calls for cream cheese, but you can swap it for mascarpone for a more traditional Italian flavor! For an adults-only party, try stirring in a splash of coffee liqueur, Kahlúa, or bourbon vanilla extract. Serve your dip with fresh fruit, my Chocolate Chip Cookies, or biscotti. For dipping, try waffle cone pieces or graham crackers!
- Tools For This Recipe: You will need a mixing bowl, a hand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, and a serving tray.
What You’ll Need for Ingredients
Cream Cheese: One 8-ounce package of your favorite cream cheese forms the base of this dip alongside the ricotta for a rich, creamy texture. Karlynn’s Tip: You can also use mascarpone instead of cream cheese in a 1:1 ratio.
Chocolate Chips: Mini semisweet chocolate chips are perfect for this dip because they mix evenly into the filling and add a little chocolate to every bite. Feel free to experiment with different chocolate types and sizes to make it your own!
Confectioners’ Sugar: This adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the creamy cheeses and works beautifully with the vanilla extract for that classic cannoli flavor.
Fixings & Pairings: Serve your dip with fresh fruit, broken waffle cones, or graham crackers for dipping. Karlynn’s Tip: Cookies, pretzels, and ladyfingers are also great options, so feel free to put out a variety and let everyone choose their favorite!
How To Make Cannoli Dip
This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Beat the ricotta and cream cheese together until smooth.
- Add the sugar and vanilla, and beat again.
- Taste test until it is as sweet as you like it.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips, sprinkle the remaining into the mixture, and stir.
- Top with the reserved chocolate chips, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until chilled.
- Serve with your desired pairings!
Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Cannoli Dip
- You Don’t Need Actual Cannoli: Despite the name, this recipe doesn’t require any actual cannoli! Instead, it takes the best part of a cannoli (that delicious, creamy filling) and turns it into a dip you can share with friends and family. If you happen to have a great Italian bakery nearby, you can even pick up some fresh cannoli, break them into smaller pieces, and use them for dipping!
- Choose the Right Dippers: Almost anything sweet goes well with cannoli dip, but fresh fruit is especially delicious. Strawberries, raspberries, and kiwi add a little tartness that balances out the rich filling.
- Try Waffle Cones or Graham Crackers: For something crunchy, break up some waffle cones and use the pieces to scoop up the dip. You can even fill mini waffle cones with the dip for a fun treat the kids will love! Graham crackers are another great option, thanks to their sweetness and crisp texture.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Transfer any leftover cannoli dip to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving again, and keep it chilled until you’re ready to enjoy.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this dip! The cream cheese and ricotta can separate and become grainy when thawed. For the best results, enjoy it fresh or store leftovers in the fridge.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
Who doesn’t love a good dip? They’re perfect for parties, easy snacking, or just because you’re craving one! If you’re looking for more tasty dips to try, check out a few of my favorite Dip Recipes:
- This White Bean Ranch, Bacon & Cheddar Dip is loaded with savory flavors and plenty of cheesy goodness!
- My Hot and Cheesy Artichoke Dip is a warm, creamy favorite that’s perfect for sharing.
- You can’t go wrong with another dessert dip! My Tipsy Grasshopper Dip is a fun, minty treat that’ll satisfy any sweet tooth.
There you have it, folks! This Cannoli Dip is one of the best ways to enjoy the flavors of a classic cannoli without the work of making pastry shells. It’s the perfect treat for parties, family gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something sweet!
Give this recipe a try, serve it with your favorite dippers, and don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comments below.
Happy Baking!
Karlynn
Cannoli Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- one 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened , (mascarpone can also be used)
- 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- fresh fruit, broken waffle cones, graham crackers,
Instructions
- Beat the ricotta cheese and cream cheese together in a bowl until smooth.
- Add in the sugar and vanilla. Beat in, and taste test to see if you want to add more sugar. IF desired, beat in more powdered sugar until the right sweetness.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips aside for the topping, then stir the remaining chocolate chips in by hand through the cheese mixture. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top as a topping.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least half an hour.
- Serve with broken waffles cones fruit, graham crackers.
Notes
- the softer the cream cheese is, the better it mixes and less lumps in the dip!
- this makes around 2 cups, one serving is 1/4 cup
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Leigh Moran says
For your cannoli dip recipe, can I substitute confectioners sugar with granulated sugar?