Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe: Sweet Bites of Italian Joy

Sinking your teeth into delicate mini cannoli cups that burst with creamy, sweet richness.

These bite-sized Italian delights pack an incredible punch of flavor in every single morsel.

Sicily inspired this playful twist on the classic dessert, reimagining traditional techniques for modern kitchens.

Compact and elegant, these miniature treats work perfectly for dinner parties or casual weekend gatherings.

Each delicate cup combines crisp pastry with smooth ricotta filling that melts beautifully on your tongue.

Chocolate chips add delightful crunch and unexpected texture to the already irresistible dessert.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable moment of these miniature culinary masterpieces.

Why Mini Cannoli Cups Are A Tiny Treat With Big Flavor

• Whip Up Speedy Dessert Delights: These mini cannoli cups transform traditional Italian pastry into a quick, elegant treat that takes minimal prep time and delivers maximum flavor excitement.
• Savor Creamy Texture Perfection: Blending ricotta and mascarpone creates an incredibly smooth, rich filling that melts deliciously in your mouth with luxurious cheese and subtle sweetness.
• Enjoy Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for parties, potlucks, or casual gatherings, these bite-sized cups are easily customizable with different garnishes and appeal to both kids and adults with their playful size and classic flavor profile.
• Master Effortless Gourmet Technique: Using pre-made phyllo shells and simple mixing methods allows even novice bakers to create an impressive dessert that looks professionally crafted without requiring advanced culinary skills.

All The Ingredients For Mini Cannoli Cups

• Ricotta Cheese, Mascarpone Cheese: Creamy base that gives a rich, smooth texture to the filling. Choose full-fat versions for best flavor and consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth filling. Use fresh, lump-free sugar for best results.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, sweet undertone to the filling. Pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Optional spice that adds warmth and depth to the filling. Fresh ground cinnamon provides more intense flavor.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds texture and chocolate burst throughout the filling. Use high-quality chocolate chips for best taste.

• Phyllo Shells: Pre-made crispy pastry base for the cannoli cups. Store-bought shells save time and ensure consistent texture.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides a classic sweet dusting on top. Sifted sugar creates an even, light coating.
• Mini Chocolate Chips, Chopped Pistachios: Optional decorative and flavor-enhancing toppings. Adds crunch and visual appeal to the dessert.

How To Make Mini Cannoli Cups In A Snap

Step 1: Whip Up The Dreamy Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Mascarpone cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon (optional)

Blend with an electric mixer until silky smooth. Gently fold in mini chocolate chips for delightful bursts of sweetness.

Step 2: Chill And Let Flavors Dance

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and slide into the refrigerator. Let the filling rest and mingle for about 30 minutes. This magical pause allows the flavors to become best friends and helps the mixture firm up beautifully.

Step 3: Crisp Up The Phyllo Shells

Fire up the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread mini phyllo shells on a baking sheet and bake until they turn golden and crisp. Once done, let them cool completely – patience is key here!

Step 4: Fill With Creamy Goodness

Transfer the chilled filling into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a snipped corner. Pipe the filling into each shell, creating little towers of deliciousness that reach right to the top.

Step 5: Give A Fabulous Finish

Dust the filled cups with a snowfall of powdered sugar. For extra pizzazz, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios on top. Serve these little bites of heaven immediately to enjoy maximum crispiness.

Top Tips For Mini Cannoli Cups

• Smooth Filling Secret: Strain ricotta cheese through cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfectly creamy and light texture for your cannoli cups.
• Quick Shell Crunch: Toast phyllo shells just before filling to maintain their crispy texture and prevent sogginess, creating a delightful contrast with the creamy filling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare filling and shells separately up to 24 hours in advance, assembling just before serving to keep the cups fresh and crisp.
• Flavor Customization: Swap chocolate chips for chopped pistachios or candied orange peel to create unique variations that match your taste preferences.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute ricotta and mascarpone with cashew cream or coconut-based alternatives for a delicious vegan version of these mini desserts.

How To Keep Mini Cannoli Cups Crisp And Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cannoli cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their delicate flavor.
• Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze these delicate desserts, as the phyllo shells will become soggy and lose their crispy texture when thawed.
• Quick Reheat: Warm gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to help restore some crispness to the shells. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Best Enjoyed Fresh: These mini cannoli cups are most delicious when served immediately after filling, so try to prepare them just before serving for the ultimate taste and texture experience.

What Goes Well With Mini Cannoli Cups

• Pair with Smooth Italian Red Wine: Enjoy your mini cannoli cups alongside a velvety Nero d'Avola from Sicily, which complements the sweet ricotta filling and adds a rich, fruity undertone to each bite.
• Match with Creamy Espresso: Serve these delightful cups with a freshly brewed espresso that cuts through the sweetness and enhances the chocolate chip and cinnamon notes in the dessert.
• Elevate with Dessert Prosecco: Sip on a chilled glass of sweet Prosecco that brings out the delicate flavors of mascarpone and provides a light, bubbly contrast to the rich cannoli filling.
• Enhance with Almond Liqueur: Drizzle a small amount of amaretto over the cannoli cups or serve it as a side drink to intensify the nutty and sweet characteristics of this delectable treat.

Tasty Twists For Mini Cannoli Cups

• Nutty Crunch Cups: Swap mini chocolate chips for chopped almonds or pecans, adding a rich, toasted flavor and satisfying crunch to the creamy filling.
• Citrus Zest Sensation: Mix lemon or orange zest into the ricotta mixture, bringing a bright, refreshing note that complements the sweet cheese base.
• Berry Bliss Bites: Top each cup with fresh raspberries or finely chopped strawberries, creating a fruity contrast to the smooth, rich filling.
• Salted Caramel Dream: Drizzle a small amount of salted caramel sauce over the filled cups, introducing a luxurious sweet-and-salty element that elevates the dessert.

Mini Cannoli Cups FAQs Made Simple

• What is the difference between traditional cannoli and these mini cannoli cups?

Traditional cannoli are fried pastry tubes filled with ricotta cream, while these mini cannoli cups use pre-made phyllo shells for a quicker, easier dessert that captures the classic cannoli flavor without the complex preparation.

• Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cannoli filling up to 2 days in advance. Keep it covered and refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the cups, which helps the flavors develop and makes party prep easier.

• Are these cannoli cups suitable for people who can't eat gluten?

These aren’t gluten-free since phyllo shells contain wheat. However, you could potentially substitute with gluten-free mini shells or create a similar base using almond flour or gluten-free pastry cups.

• How do I prevent the phyllo shells from getting soggy?

Fill the shells just before serving and don’t overfill. The chilled filling helps maintain the crisp texture, and serving immediately ensures the shells stay crunchy and delightful.

Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent cannoli cups bring Sicily’s sweet magic right to your kitchen, blending creamy ricotta and crisp pastry in one delightful bite. Rich chocolate chips and delicate powdered sugar elevate this classic dessert, promising a delectable experience you’ll savor with pure Italian charm.

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Ingredients

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Cheese Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese, drained
• ½ cup (125 g) mascarpone cheese

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Additional Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (60 g) mini chocolate chips
• 1 package (15-20) mini phyllo shells
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Whisk ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until velvety smooth and thoroughly blended.
2. Gently incorporate mini chocolate chips into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the filling.
3. Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to allow flavors to harmonize and filling to slightly solidify.
4. Heat oven to 350F and arrange mini phyllo shells on a clean baking sheet, warming them for approximately 3-5 minutes to enhance crispness.
5. Remove phyllo shells and let cool completely on a wire rack to maintain their delicate texture.
6. Transfer chilled filling into a piping bag or resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped diagonally.
7. Carefully pipe the creamy mixture into each shell, filling them generously but avoiding overfilling.
8. Delicately dust the filled cannoli cups with a light layer of powdered sugar using a fine mesh sifter.
9. Optional: Sprinkle additional mini chocolate chips or finely chopped pistachios on top for extra visual appeal and textural contrast.
10. Serve immediately to preserve the shells’ crisp integrity and enjoy the decadent treat.

Notes

• Opt for fresh, high-quality ricotta cheese to ensure a smooth, creamy filling that elevates the entire dessert.
• Drain excess moisture from ricotta by placing it in a cheesecloth-lined strainer for 30 minutes before mixing to prevent watery filling.
• Customize the filling by experimenting with different mix-ins like orange zest, chopped candied fruits, or alternative spices like nutmeg for unique flavor profiles.
• Make these cups gluten-free by using gluten-free phyllo shells or creating a crispy almond flour cup alternative for those with wheat sensitivities.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg