We have updated this Short Cut Cannoli recipe since 2015.  We hope you like how we changed things up a bit.

Are you looking for an easy Valentines Day Dessert Ideas that is nice enough to serve to a dinner party but is also kid-friendly? My family loves Cannolis but the shells are so expensive and often hard to find at our grocery stores. 

Why not serve your cannoli cream up in sugar cones instead?  You can make them extra special too, keep reading to see what we did!

Not only will the filling stay in place the kids can eat it like an ice cream cone. I hope you enjoy this short cut cannoli recipe and will share it as one of your Valentines.

 

HOW TO MAKE EASY CANNOLI

If I did not tell you at the beginning of this post would you have known what I was making based on these ingredients? During my meal planning week, I inadvertently picked up the 32 oz container of Ricotta Cheese for my baked lasagna.  

Not prepared to make a double batch of ziti, I decided to make a quick dessert that evening. Sticking with the Italian theme,  I decided to make these short cut cannolis.

 

 

The Easy Canolli Filling 

Can I make Cannoli Filling ahead of time?

It is actually necessary to prepare the filling either the night before or first thing in the am to allow the filling to thicken up and release some of the extra liquid.  

In a mixer add the cheeses, sugar, and flavorings and mix well. It is always best to start with room temp. cream cheese. Be sure to taste the mixture to adjust the sweetness. I recommend adding the sugar gradually 

 

WHAT KIND OF CHEESE IS INSIDE A CANNOLI?

Ricotta Cheese is a must.  This recipe calls for cream cheese as well.  In our first go around we did it that way, but this time we made it with marscapone since we had some leftover in the fridge from making Tiramisu. 

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE CANNOLI FILLING LESS RUNNY?

 

Place it in a strainer and place it back in the fridge for several hours or overnight.   You can see how much liquid was released overnight. 

 

 

DO YOU ADD CHOCOLATE CHIPS TO CANNOLI FILLING OR DIP? 

It is totally up to you whether or not you serve up this cannoli filling with chocolate chips.  Be sure to only use mini chips because they are easier to bite into. 

 

 

 

 

What If I don’t have Riccota Cheese, What can I substitute Ricotta cheese in Cannoli? 

Ricotta is the filling of choice for cannolis, but that’s only according to tradition.  However, you can use mascarpone cheese or a mixture of the two.  

 

MAKE CHOCOLATE COVERED ICE CREAM CONES

 

DIP into melted chocolate and add sprinkles as desired.  Allow hardening before using it. 

 

How To Serve Short Cut Cannolis

DO NOT ASSEMBLE THESE CANNOLIS TOO FAR IN ADVANCE AS THE CONES WILL GET SOGGY!

 

 

Right before serving, It’s easiest to place your sugar cones in a glass and then fill it with the sweet cannoli filling and top with mini chocolate chips and Valentine’s Day Sprinkles if desired. 

 

 

 

Enjoy these short cut Cannoli for your Valentines Day Dessert or any time you are looking for a little Italian Dessert. 

Can I Serve Cannoli Filling as a Dip? 

Yes, don’t bother filling shells or ice cream cones.  Simply put the prepared cannoli filling into a bowl and serve it with broken up Ice cream cones or pizzelle cookies. 

 

 

WHAT DO YOU SERVE WITH EASY CANNOLI DIP

I might choose to break up waffle cone bowls if I was serving it as a dip, just so the pieces would be bigger.

 

How to Make Cannolis in 5 Minutes:

 

Have you ever made this Easy Italian Dessert?