Bite-Sized Bliss: The Adorable Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe

Dessert enthusiasts adore these delightful mini cannoli cups that blend classic Italian pastry charm with modern bite-sized convenience.

Crisp phyllo shells cradle a rich and smooth cannoli filling that melts deliciously on your palate.

Sweet ricotta cheese mingles with delicate hints of vanilla and zesty orange peel, creating a symphony of flavors.

The creamy mixture bursts with traditional cannoli magic, promising a decadent treat that delights every time.

Dusted with powdered sugar and studded with miniature chocolate chips, these petite desserts transform an ordinary moment into a celebration.

Compact yet indulgent, these mini cannoli cups deliver authentic Italian pastry magic in one perfect, irresistible bite.

Prepare to fall in love with this effortless dessert that brings a touch of Sicily right to your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 23

All Ingredients For Mini Cannoli Cups

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base providing smooth texture and rich dairy flavor, choose fresh, well-drained ricotta for best results.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Adds luxurious richness and silky consistency, select high-quality Italian-style mascarpone for authentic taste.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps bind filling ingredients, sift to prevent lumps for a velvety smooth mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes, opt for pure vanilla for deeper taste.
• Cinnamon: Optional spice adding warmth and depth, use freshly ground for most intense flavor.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Provides delightful chocolate bursts and textural contrast, use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chips.
• Chopped Pistachios: Optional garnish offering nutty crunch and vibrant green color, toast lightly for enhanced flavor.

• Phyllo Shells: Crispy vessel for filling, purchase pre-made to save time and ensure consistent texture.
• Additional Powdered Sugar: Decorative dusting that adds subtle sweetness and elegant finish.

Tools Needed For Mini Cannoli Cups

• Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for blending filling ingredients smoothly and creating a creamy texture.
• Mixing bowl: Medium-sized bowl needed for combining ricotta, mascarpone, and other filling ingredients.
• Baking sheet: Use to crisp up phyllo shells in the oven and create a flat surface for baking.
• Piping bag or zip-top bag: Perfect for neatly filling phyllo shells with creamy cannoli mixture.
• Plastic wrap: Covers filling bowl while chilling to keep ingredients fresh and prevent drying.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure consistent flavor and texture.

Steps To Make Mini Cannoli Cups

• Creamy Filling Preparation

Blend ricotta and mascarpone in a bowl until silky smooth. Incorporate sweet powdered sugar, aromatic vanilla, and a hint of warm cinnamon. Gently mix in tiny chocolate morsels for delightful bursts of flavor.

• Flavor Infusion

Allow filling to rest in the refrigerator, letting ingredients harmonize and texture become luxuriously rich.

• Crispy Shell Transformation

Warm phyllo shells in the oven, transforming them into golden, crunchy vessels ready to cradle the luscious filling.

• Artistic Assembly

Carefully pipe the velvety mixture into delicate shells, creating elegant mini desserts that promise a delectable experience.

• Final Flourish

Dust with powdery sugar and sprinkle extra chocolate bits or crushed pistachios. Serve these petite treasures immediately to enjoy maximum crispness and indulgent taste.

Tips And Tricks For Mini Cannoli Cups

• Creamy Filling Pro Tips: Drain ricotta cheese overnight in a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, ensuring a thick, luxurious filling without wateriness.
• Texture Perfection: Chill the filling for at least an hour to let flavors blend and create a firmer, more authentic cannoli texture that holds its shape beautifully.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Replace phyllo shells with almond flour cups or gluten-free pastry shells to make this dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Flavor Boost: Experiment with orange zest, amaretto liqueur, or swap chocolate chips for dried cherries or chopped pistachios to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the classic Italian treat.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare filling and shells separately up to 24 hours in advance, assembling just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent soggy bottoms.

How To Serve Mini Cannoli Cups

• Elegant Italian Soirée Plating: Transform your dessert table into a chic Italian-inspired spread by arranging cannoli cups on a gorgeous marble tray with scattered pistachios and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair these delightful mini cups with strong espresso or cappuccino for a delectable morning treat that brings Mediterranean charm to your breakfast gathering.
• Cocktail Party Stunner: Serve these bite-sized delights on elegant small plates during evening gatherings, creating a sophisticated dessert that guests can enjoy without needing utensils while mingling.
• Seasonal Celebration Twist: Adapt the garnish based on holidays – use red and green sprinkles for Christmas, pastel-colored chips for Easter, or fresh berries during summer gatherings to make the dessert feel festive and fresh.

Storing Mini Cannoli Cups For Later

Keep Cannoli Cups Fresh

• Refrigerator Strategy: Store filled cannoli cups in an airtight container for maximum freshness, consuming within 1-2 days to maintain crispy shells and creamy texture.
• Filling Separation Trick: Keep filling and shells separate until serving to prevent soggy bottoms, storing components in different sealed containers in the refrigerator.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare filling up to 3 days in advance and store in a sealed container, allowing quick assembly when guests arrive for effortless entertaining.
• Freezing Protocol: Freeze unfilled phyllo shells in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 weeks, thawing at room temperature before adding chilled filling for instant dessert prep.

Crispy Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Indulgent mini cannoli cups bring Sicily’s beloved dessert into bite-sized perfection. Crisp pastry shells cradle creamy ricotta filling, offering a delightful twist on classic cannoli that you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 15–20 mini phyllo shells (1 package)
• 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese, drained
• 125 g (½ cup) mascarpone cheese
• 60 g (⅓ cup) mini chocolate chips
• 60 g (½ cup) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Filling: Whisk ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until silky smooth, then gently fold in mini chocolate chips for even distribution.
2. Chill Mixture: Cover and refrigerate the filling for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and texture to slightly firm up.
3. Prepare Shells: Preheat oven to 350F, warm phyllo shells for 3-5 minutes to enhance crispness, then cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Fill Cannoli Cups: Transfer chilled filling to a piping bag, carefully pipe mixture into shells, ensuring generous but not overflowing portions.
5. Garnish and Serve: Dust with powdered sugar using a fine mesh sifter, optionally sprinkle with extra mini chocolate chips or finely chopped pistachios, and serve immediately to maintain crisp shell texture.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the filling for 30-45 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Crisp Shell Technique: Briefly warm phyllo shells in the oven to enhance their crunchiness, creating a delicate, golden texture that complements the creamy filling.
• Precise Piping Approach: Use a piping bag or plastic bag with a diagonal cut to ensure neat, even filling without messy overflow or uneven distribution.
• Serve Immediately Strategy: Present the cannoli cups right after filling to maintain the perfect contrast between crisp shells and smooth, cool filling, preventing sogginess.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg