Sweet Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe: Crispy Italian Treats Made Easy

Crispy mini cannoli cups craft traditional Italian desserts into bite-sized delights that tantalize taste buds with creamy, sweet perfection.

These miniature treats pack incredible flavor into a compact, irresistible package that elevates any gathering or personal indulgence.

Delicate pastry shells cradle a rich, smooth filling that balances texture and taste with remarkable precision.

Compact yet decadent, these dessert cups offer a modern twist on classic cannoli that appeals to both traditionalists and culinary adventurers.

The contrast between the crisp exterior and silky interior creates a sensory experience that feels both familiar and innovative.

Compact size makes these cups perfect for parties, gatherings, or a personal sweet moment of pure pleasure.

Mini Cannoli Cups With Big Flavor Punch

• Quick and Easy Dessert Transformation: Transform classic cannoli into adorable mini cups that are perfect for parties and gatherings, offering a fresh twist on a traditional Italian dessert without complex preparation.
• Delightful Textural Experience: Enjoy the crispy, sugar-crusted pie crust shells paired with smooth, creamy ricotta filling that delivers a delectable contrast between crunchy exterior and silky interior.
• Elegant Yet Effortless Presentation: Create impressive bite-sized treats that look professionally crafted but require minimal culinary skills, making them ideal for home bakers wanting to wow guests with minimal effort and maximum visual appeal.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Personalize these mini cannoli cups by experimenting with different garnishes like chocolate chips, pistachios, or even a sprinkle of additional spices, allowing creative freedom while maintaining the classic cannoli essence.

Everything You’ll Need for Perfect Cannoli Cups

• Pie Crust: Buttery, flaky base for the mini cups, best when using all-butter refrigerated pie crusts.
• Turbinado Sugar: Adds a sweet, crunchy texture and caramel-like flavor to the crust.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements the sweet filling and adds depth to the pastry.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used for light dusting to prevent sticking when rolling out the dough.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, smooth base for the traditional cannoli filling, best when using whole milk ricotta.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness to the filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds extra sweetness and helps create a smoother texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.
• Lemon Zest: Bright citrus flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese.

• Chocolate Chips: Optional sweet addition that adds texture and chocolate flavor.
• Pistachios: Crunchy, nutty topping that provides a contrasting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Delicate dusting that adds a sweet finish and elegant appearance.

How to Assemble and Chill Cannoli Cups Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 2: Create Sugared Pie Crust Rounds

Lightly flour a work surface

Unroll pie crusts

• Turbinado sugar
• Cinnamon

Roll gently to press sugar and spice into the dough

Use a cookie cutter to cut 2½-inch rounds

Press rounds into mini muffin cups

Step 3: Bake Pie Crust Cups

Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown

Let cool in pans for 15 minutes

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

Step 4: Whip Creamy Cannoli Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine:

Ricotta cheese

Granulated sugar

Powdered sugar

Lemon zest

Vanilla extract

Beat ingredients until smooth and creamy

Transfer filling to a zip-top bag

Refrigerate until ready to serve

Step 5: Assemble Mini Cannoli Cups

Snip a corner of the filling bag

Pipe filling into cooled pastry cups

Garnish with:

Miniature chocolate chips

Chopped pistachios

Dust with powdered sugar

Serve and enjoy immediately

Tips That Keep Your Mini Cannoli Crispy

• Select Quality Ingredients: Choose full-fat ricotta cheese for a richer, creamier filling that holds its shape perfectly.
• Drain Ricotta Thoroughly: Strain ricotta overnight in a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, ensuring a thick and smooth filling.
• Chill Before Piping: Refrigerate the filling for at least 30 minutes to help it set and make piping easier and neater.
• Create Uniform Cups: Use a small glass or measuring cup to press pie crust evenly into muffin tins for consistent shape and thickness.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare pastry cups and filling separately up to a day in advance, assembling just before serving to keep the cups crisp and delicious.

Store Mini Cannoli Cups Without Losing Crunch

• Refrigerate: Store filled cannoli cups in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep them chilled to maintain the creamy texture and prevent soggy crusts.
• Separate Storage: Keep unfilled pastry cups and ricotta filling separately in sealed containers. This prevents the shells from becoming soft and maintains their crisp texture.
• Gentle Reheating: Warm pastry cups briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness. Fill with fresh ricotta mixture just before serving to ensure the best taste and texture.

Best Pairings for Mini Cannoli Desserts

• Pair with Sweet Sicilian Marsala: Complement the cannoli cups with a glass of chilled Marsala wine, echoing the dessert's traditional Italian roots and enhancing its rich, creamy texture.
• Match with Espresso Elegance: Serve alongside a strong, freshly brewed espresso that cuts through the sweetness and provides a bold contrast to the delicate pastry cups.
• Create a Fruit Harmony: Garnish with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, adding a bright, tangy note that balances the creamy ricotta filling and brings a refreshing element to the dessert.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Drizzle a small amount of dark chocolate sauce over the cannoli cups or serve with a side of dark chocolate pieces to intensify the dessert's flavor profile and add depth to each bite.

Cannoli Flavor Ideas to Mix It Up

• Sweet Almond Adventure: Replace vanilla with almond extract and fold chopped almonds into the ricotta filling for a nutty, aromatic experience.
• Citrus Burst Cups: Add orange and lemon zest together, mix blood orange juice into the filling, and garnish with candied citrus peel for a bright, zesty profile.
• Berry Cream Dream: Fold fresh raspberries or strawberries into the ricotta mixture, top with berry compote, and sprinkle with freeze-dried berry powder for intense fruity flavor.
• Chocolate Espresso Indulgence: Blend melted dark chocolate and strong espresso into the ricotta filling, dust with cocoa powder, and garnish with chocolate-covered espresso beans for a rich, intense treat.

Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sicilian mini cannoli cups bring classic Italian dessert magic into bite-sized perfection. Crisp pastry shells cradle rich ricotta cream, offering sweet indulgence that transports you straight to Naples with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts

Sugars and Spices:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar (raw sugar)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips or finely chopped pistachios

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange or lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Additional powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Prepare a clean, flat surface by lightly dusting with flour for dough manipulation.
2. Carefully unroll pie crusts and generously sprinkle with turbinado sugar and ground cinnamon, gently pressing the granules into the pastry to ensure even distribution.
3. Using a precise 2½-inch circular cookie cutter, cut uniform rounds from the seasoned dough.
4. Delicately press each dough circle into the cavities of a mini muffin tin, ensuring smooth, even placement.
5. Heat the oven to a precise 425°F for optimal pastry crispness.
6. Position the filled muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake until the pastry reaches a golden, crisp texture, approximately 10 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and allow the pastry cups to rest within the tin for 15 minutes, facilitating gentle cooling and structural setting.
8. Carefully transfer the cups to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and maintaining their delicate structure.
9. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sugars, citrus zest, and vanilla extract, whipping until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
10. Transfer the rich filling into a zip-top pastry bag and refrigerate to maintain optimal temperature and texture.
11. When ready to serve, snip a small corner of the bag and elegantly pipe the chilled filling into each cooled pastry cup.
12. Embellish the filled cups with a sprinkle of chocolate chips or chopped pistachios.
13. Finish by dusting the decorated cannoli cups with a delicate veil of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Prep this delightful dessert in advance by making the pastry cups and filling separately, storing them in the refrigerator until serving time.
• Ensure your pie crusts are at room temperature for easier rolling and cutting, preventing cracks and tears in the delicate dough.
• Create a crisp, caramelized texture by gently pressing turbinado sugar and cinnamon into the pie crust before baking.
• Use a zip-top bag as a convenient piping tool for a mess-free and professional-looking filling application.
• Experiment with different garnishes like chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to personalize these bite-sized treats.
• For best results, chill the ricotta filling before piping to maintain a firm, creamy consistency that holds its shape beautifully.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg