Sweet Cannoli Cookie Cups Recipe: Bite-Sized Italian Charm

Crispy, delicate cannoli cookie cups bring a sweet Italian twist to your dessert table.

Pastry chefs have long celebrated this delightful treat that combines traditional flavors with modern baking techniques.

Small gatherings or large parties will love these bite-sized delicacies that pack intense ricotta and chocolate charm.

Rich mascarpone cream nestles perfectly inside each delicate cup, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Compact and elegant, these miniature desserts offer an impressive presentation without complicated preparation.

You can craft these delectable treats with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.

Prepare to dazzle everyone with these irresistible cannoli cookie cups that promise pure culinary joy.

Why Cannoli Cookie Cups Are Deliciously Unique

• Simplify Dessert Making: Transform traditional cannoli into easy-to-create cookie cups that require minimal baking skills and basic ingredients.
• Quick Family Treat: Prepare a delightful dessert that kids and adults will love, perfect for family gatherings or casual weekend celebrations.
• Customize with Ease: Swap pistachios with different nuts or add extra chocolate chips to personalize these bite-sized treats according to your taste preferences.
• No-Stress Entertaining: Create an impressive dessert that looks sophisticated but takes minimal effort, making you appear like a culinary genius without complex techniques.

Ingredients For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Sugar Cookie Dough: A pre-made dough that forms the crisp and sweet foundation for these delightful cookie cups.

• Ricotta Cheese: A smooth and creamy Italian cheese that provides a rich and tangy base for the cannoli filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a silky texture in the filling.
• Chocolate Chips: Small morsels that bring delightful chocolate bursts throughout the creamy mixture.

• Pistachios: Chopped nuts that add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the top of the cookie cups.

How To Bake Cannoli Cookie Cups

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C) and get ready for some delicious baking action.

Step 2: Shape Cookie Bases

Slice the cookie dough into 24 equal portions and gently press each piece into a well-greased mini muffin tin, creating perfect little cookie cups.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Powdered sugar

Whisk until the mixture becomes silky smooth and free of lumps.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Excitement

Fold in chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the creamy ricotta mixture for bursts of chocolatey goodness.

Step 6: Fill the Cookie Cups

Carefully spoon the ricotta and chocolate chip mixture into the cooled cookie cups, filling each one generously.

Step 7: Sprinkle Nutty Crunch

Garnish the tops with chopped pistachios, adding a delightful crunch and extra layer of flavor.

Step 8: Chill and Enjoy

Place the filled cookie cups in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set. This helps the filling firm up and enhances the flavors. Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Pro Tips For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Swap store-bought cookie dough with homemade sugar cookie dough for a more personalized touch.
• Use full-fat ricotta cheese to ensure a rich, creamy filling that holds its shape perfectly.
• Experiment with different mix-ins like mini dark chocolate chips or chopped dried cherries for unique flavor variations.
• Drain excess liquid from ricotta using a cheesecloth to prevent a watery filling and maintain a thick, luxurious texture.
• Make these cannoli cups gluten-free by using gluten-free sugar cookie dough and checking chocolate chip ingredients.

Creative Variations For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Sicilian Style: Replace pistachios with candied orange peel and add a dash of cinnamon to ricotta mixture for authentic Mediterranean flavor.
• Berry Bliss: Swap chocolate chips for fresh raspberries and mix a hint of lemon zest into ricotta for bright, fruity notes.
• Nutella Dream: Swirl Nutella into ricotta mixture and sprinkle crushed hazelnuts on top for rich, decadent chocolate experience.
• Espresso Crunch: Mix instant espresso powder into ricotta and garnish with dark chocolate shavings for coffee lover's version.

Pairing Suggestions For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Pair Sparkling Moscato: Complement the sweet cannoli cookie cups with a light, bubbly Moscato d'Asti wine that echoes the dessert's creamy richness and enhances its nutty pistachio topping.
• Create Espresso Match: Serve a small shot of rich, robust espresso alongside these cookie cups to cut through the sweetness and provide a classic Italian coffee contrast.
• Balance with Amaretto Liqueur: Drizzle a touch of almond-flavored amaretto over the dessert or serve as a side drink to amplify the nutty pistachio notes and add depth to the creamy filling.

Storage Advice For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Store cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them covered to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap individual cookie cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm cookie cups in the oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, which can make the cookie base soggy and the filling lose its creamy texture.
• For best taste and texture, enjoy cannoli cookie cups directly from the refrigerator. The cool temperature helps maintain the filling's smooth consistency and keeps the cookie base crisp.

Cannoli Cookie Cups FAQs Answered

• Can I use store-bought cookie dough for this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-made sugar cookie dough to save time and make the recipe easier.

• How do I prevent the cookie cups from sticking to the pan?

Generously grease the mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter before pressing the dough into each cup.

• Is there a substitute for ricotta cheese?

Mascarpone cheese works well as an alternative if you can’t find ricotta, providing a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.

• Can I make these cannoli cookie cups ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie cups and filling a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator and assembling just before serving.

Cannoli Cookie Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 52 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Italian cannoli cookie cups combine creamy ricotta filling with crisp pastry shells, delivering a delightful dessert that whisks you straight to Sicily’s charming streets. Rich flavors and delicate textures invite you to savor each delectable bite of this irresistible treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 8 ounces (226 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) mini chocolate chips

Filling Components:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar

Garnish:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) chopped pistachios

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a mini muffin tin with light grease.
2. Divide cookie dough into 24 uniform segments, carefully pressing each piece into the prepared muffin cavities, ensuring even coverage and smooth surfaces.
3. Slide the tin into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookie bases transform into a golden, crisp foundation.
4. While cookies are cooling, whisk ricotta cheese and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl, blending until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
5. Gently fold chocolate chips into the creamy ricotta blend, distributing them evenly throughout the filling.
6. Once cookie cups have completely cooled, delicately spoon the ricotta-chocolate mixture into each cup, creating elegant, slightly rounded peaks.
7. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the filled cups, adding a delightful crunch and nutty accent to the dessert.
8. Transfer the prepared cannoli cookie cups to the refrigerator, allowing them to chill for a minimum of 30 minutes to set and enhance flavor integration.

Notes

• Swap cookie dough with gluten-free options for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract to the ricotta mixture for enhanced flavor depth.
• Ensure ricotta is well-drained to prevent a watery filling consistency.
• Experiment with different nut toppings like almonds or pecans for varied texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 207 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 74 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg