The Perfect Holy Cannoli Cookies Recipe: Italian Flavor Magic

Holy cannoli cookies bring an irresistible burst of Sicilian-inspired sweetness to your dessert table.

These delectable treats merge classic pastry traditions with modern baking techniques.

Creamy ricotta cheese and delicate pastry notes dance together in each delightful bite.

Rich fillings and crisp exteriors create a symphony of textures that tantalize taste buds.

Bakery-style indulgence meets homemade comfort in this crowd-pleasing recipe that revamps ordinary ingredients into extraordinary delights.

Family and friends will eagerly gather around, anticipating the first heavenly crunch.

The magic of these cookies lies in their perfect balance of flavors and nostalgic charm.

Holy Cannoli Cookies You’ll Crave Again

• Burst of Italian Dessert Fusion: These cookies brilliantly combine the classic cannoli's rich flavors with traditional cookie texture, creating a delightful cross between a pastry and a cookie.
• Quick and Easy Chocolate-Nut Celebration: Loaded with chocolate chips and chopped pistachios, these cookies offer a delightful crunch and complex flavor profile that comes together in just one hour of preparation time.
• Zesty Orange Surprise: The fresh orange zest adds a bright, unexpected citrus note that elevates the cookie from ordinary to extraordinary, bringing a sophisticated twist to a classic treat that makes each bite more exciting and memorable.

Everything You Need for Cannoli Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie base.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy cookies.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates soft, tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to cookie structure.
• Ricotta Cheese: Gives classic cannoli-inspired moisture and creamy texture.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds sweet chocolate bursts throughout the cookie.
• Pistachios: Provides nutty crunch and traditional cannoli-inspired flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic bakery flavor.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice reminiscent of cannoli.
• Fresh Orange Zest: Offers bright, citrusy note typical in Italian desserts.

Steps to Bake Holy Cannoli Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Creamy Base

• Eggs
• Ricotta cheese
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Fresh orange zest

Mix until well combined.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough

• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped pistachios

Cover and refrigerate dough for minimum one hour.

Step 3: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease.

Step 4: Scoop and Arrange

Use a medium cookie scoop to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets. Leave 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake cookies for 8-11 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Cool slightly, then transfer to wire racks.

Step 6: Add Chocolate Drizzle

Microwave remaining chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring between each. Transfer melted chocolate to a small resealable bag. Clip corner and drizzle over cooled cookies. Allow chocolate to set completely.

Top Tips for Cannoli Cookie Success

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour to prevent spreading and enhance the flavors, creating a more compact and rich texture.
• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients, especially flour and chocolate chips, to maintain the perfect balance of sweetness and consistency.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and ricotta are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold in chocolate chips and pistachios to prevent tough cookies and maintain a delicate crumb.
• Chocolate Drizzling Trick: Use a small resealable bag with a clipped corner for a precise and professional-looking chocolate drizzle over the cooled cookies.

How to Keep Cannoli Cookies Fresh Longer

• Refrigeration: Store cooled Holy Cannoli Cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Place cookies in a freezer-safe container between sheets of wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Reheating: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore softness and revive the chocolate drizzle.

Great Matches for Holy Cannoli Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Espresso Martini: The rich chocolate and pistachio flavors in these cookies dance perfectly with a smooth espresso martini. The coffee's boldness complements the sweet, nutty cookie profile, creating a delightful Italian-inspired dessert experience.
• Match with Sicilian Orange Moscato: The fresh orange zest in the cookies finds its soulmate in a chilled Moscato wine from Sicily. This light, sweet wine enhances the citrusy notes and brings out the cookie's delicate Mediterranean essence.
• Serve with Classic Cappuccino: The cinnamon and chocolate elements in the Holy Cannoli Cookies create a magical harmony with a traditional cappuccino. The creamy milk foam and robust espresso base provide a luxurious counterpoint to the cookie's texture and flavor complexity.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Gelato: Drizzle the chocolate-topped cookies alongside a scoop of pure vanilla bean gelato. The cool, smooth gelato offers a refreshing contrast to the warm, spiced cookie, creating a decadent dessert combination that celebrates Italian culinary traditions.

Fun Cannoli Cookie Variations to Bake

• Pistachio Cannoli Crunch: Replace chocolate chips with crushed pistachios for extra nutty flavor and added texture. Sprinkle extra chopped pistachios on top of melted chocolate drizzle for a delightful crunch.
• Orange Zest Chocolate Version: Double the orange zest for more intense citrus notes. Replace regular chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips to create a more sophisticated flavor profile.
• Almond Ricotta Delight: Swap chopped pistachios with sliced almonds. Add almond extract alongside vanilla for a complementary nutty undertone. Drizzle white chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a different visual and taste experience.
• Spiced Cannoli Cookies: Increase cinnamon quantity and add ground cardamom and nutmeg. Use white chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate for a warming, aromatic cookie variation that hints at traditional Italian spice combinations.

Holy Cannoli Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Holy Cannoli Cookies bring Sicily’s beloved dessert into a delightful cookie form. Creamy ricotta, chocolate chips, and powdered sugar create a sweet symphony that transports palates to Italian bakery magic you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup ricotta cheese

Flavoring and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• ½ teaspoon salt

Leavening and Additions:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 10 ounces (283 grams) mini chocolate chips, divided
• 1 cup chopped pistachios

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Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, ensuring a smooth and light texture.
2. Incorporate eggs one at a time, then fold in ricotta cheese until thoroughly integrated. Add fragrant orange zest, warm cinnamon, and pure vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Gently sift together dry ingredients: baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold flour into the wet mixture, creating a cohesive dough.
4. Fold chocolate chips and chopped pistachios throughout the dough, distributing them evenly. Wrap the dough and refrigerate for minimum 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm.
5. Heat oven to 375°F. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or light grease to prevent sticking.
6. Portion dough using a cookie scoop, placing mounds approximately 2 inches apart to allow proper spreading during baking.
7. Bake cookies for 8-11 minutes until edges transform to a golden-brown hue. Remove from oven and let rest briefly before transferring to cooling racks.
8. Melt remaining chocolate chips in microwave, stirring between 20-second intervals until smooth and glossy.
9. Transfer melted chocolate to a small resealable bag, snip a tiny corner, and delicately drizzle over cooled cookies. Allow chocolate to set completely before serving.

Notes

• Chill the dough for at least one hour to enhance flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and ricotta to ensure smooth and even mixing.
• Toast pistachios before chopping to intensify their nutty flavor and aromatic profile.
• Melt chocolate in short intervals to prevent burning and maintain a smooth, glossy texture.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and even browning.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before drizzling chocolate to prevent melting and maintain clean lines.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg