Cannoli Dip

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Cannoli dip is the best part of the cannoli! Fluffy ricotta and mascarpone cheese get sweetened and whipped with vanilla and chocolate chips, recreating the creamy filling in the classic Italian dessert. This dip is ready in minutes!

For another sweet no-bake dessert, try this sprinkle-filled cake batter dip and this chocolatey brownie batter dip, too.

Cannoli dip in a bowl surrounded by a platter of graham crackers.

 

This cannoli dip is our latest get-together obsession. It’s a thick and fluffy dessert dip that tastes just like cannoli filling, with whipped mascarpone and ricotta cheese studded with mini chocolate chips. The flavors are super creamy and just sweet enough, perfect for dipping everything from chocolate chip cookies to fruit.

What Makes This the Best Cannoli Dip Recipe

  • It’s ready in minutes. This creamy cannoli dip recipe comes together in 15 minutes, and it’s ready to serve right away.
  • You need only 5 ingredients. I keep things simple with a handful of easy ingredients that make this dip extra rich, silky, and flavorful. 
  • Authentic cannoli flavor. If you love the filling in a bakery cannoli, you’ll love this dip! I use a combination of ricotta and mascarpone cheese and the flavors are sweet, tangy, and creamy, rounded out with vanilla and chocolate chips.
Ingredients for cannoli dip.

Dip Ingredients

Traditional cannolis are filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese and powdered sugar. While ricotta is the classic choice, I love the richness of mascarpone, so I use both in my cannoli dip! Below are some extra notes on the ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list.

  • Ricotta Cheese – Ricotta is a soft Italian whey cheese with a creamy, mild flavor. Most ricotta comes packaged in water and should be drained first. I’ll show you how to do it further in the post.
  • Mascarpone Cheese – Mascarpone is a type of fresh Italian cream cheese. It’s a bit different than American cream cheese, but you can substitute it in a pinch, see below.
  • Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioner’s sugar. Powdered sugar makes a smooth dip that isn’t grainy. If you only have granulated sugar in the pantry, you can blitz it in a food processor until it’s a fine powder.
  • Vanilla – I recommend real vanilla extract and not artificial vanilla. You can also add a little cinnamon to this dip for more flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips – Mini chocolate chips or regular. You can also use shaved or finely chopped chocolate.

Can I Use Cream Cheese Instead of Mascarpone?

Yes! Cream cheese works well as a substitute for mascarpone in this dip. If you can, I recommend mixing in ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream per 8 ounces of cream cheese to lighten the texture.

Overhead view of cannoli dip in a bowl surrounded by a platter of graham crackers.

How to Drain Ricotta Cheese

You’ll want to drain the ricotta cheese to avoid a watery cannoli dip. I like to do this overnight. To drain the cheese:

  1. Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and line the sieve with cheesecloth (if you don’t have cheesecloth, a damp paper towel makes a good substitute).
  2. Add the ricotta, cover with plastic wrap, and place it into the fridge for 8 hours or so. 

Your ricotta will be drained and ready to use the next day. In a pinch, you can also press the ricotta through the sieve to strain out as much liquid as possible, for a thicker dip.

How to Make Cannoli Dip

This cannoli dip couldn’t be easier to make. I love that I can mix this up before parties in 15 minutes or less. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card for the printable instructions.

  • Mix the ingredients. Cream the drained ricotta and mascarpone together in a bowl until that’s smooth. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
  • Add chocolate chips. Lastly, fold in the mini chocolate chips, saving a few to garnish the top of the dip. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Cannoli dip in a bowl with a graham cracker.

What to Serve With Cannoli Dip

I like to serve this cannoli dip in the middle of a platter filled with sweet dippers like graham crackers, or any of these ideas: 

  • Pizzelle cookies or vanilla wafers
  • Chocolate chip shortbread
  • Oreos
  • Biscotti
  • Broken waffle cones (I also found cannoli chips in the bakery section at my local supermarket)
  • Fresh strawberries
  • Apple slices, and other fruit.

Cannoli dip is a delicious treat on game day next to a crock pot of chili or pulled pork sliders and more tasty snacks, like hot crab dip and football cookies. I also love making this dessert dip during the holidays (no oven!), and it’s great with our favorite Thanksgiving appetizers, from sausage cups to spinach artichoke dip.

Cannoli dip in a bowl with a graham cracker.

Storing Leftovers

Cannoli dip is so easy to make and you’ll want to serve it fresh. In a pinch, leftovers will last a day or two in the fridge, but I don’t recommend mixing the dip too far ahead of time or freezing it. The liquid in the cheese starts to separate. If you don’t eat it right away, make sure to stir it well before serving.

More No-Bake Desserts

Cannoli dip in a bowl with a graham cracker.
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Cannoli Dip

By Erin
Cannoli dip is a creamy dessert dip made from fluffy ricotta mascarpone filling and chocolate chips. It's the best part of the cannoli, ready in 15 minutes!
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Line a fine mesh strainer with cheese cloth or paper towel. Add the ricotta cheese and spread into an even layer. Ideally you let it set for 8 hours or overnight in a bowl to drain. Shortcut you can press down and stir the mixture to get as much liquid as possible out. The more you get out, the thicker your dip.
  • To make the dip mix together the ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until well combined.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips, reserving a few to sprinkle on top.

Notes

  • Serve with graham crackers, Pizzelle cookies, waffle cones, fruit, etc. My store had “Cannoli Chips” in the bakery section that I used as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 512IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: No Bake Desserts
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 305
Keyword: cannoli dip
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About Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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