Creamy Cannoli Squares
A delightful dessert inspired by classic Italian cannoli, featuring a creamy ricotta filling, crunchy crust, and sweet chocolate garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (drained if necessary)
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- Extra mini chocolate chips or shaved chocolate for garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated and resemble wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to pack it tightly. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with a hand or stand mixer.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips gently with a spatula, ensuring they’re evenly distributed.
- Spread the filling evenly over the cooled crust, smoothing it out with a spatula. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the filling to firm up.
- Before serving, sprinkle extra mini chocolate chips or shaved chocolate over the top for garnish. Dust with powdered sugar for that classic cannoli look.
- Cut into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy every creamy, crunchy bite!
Notes
[‘Drain the ricotta if watery to ensure a firm and creamy filling.’, ‘Pack the crust firmly to prevent crumbling.’, ‘Chill thoroughly for at least 3 hours or overnight for the filling to set properly.’, ‘Use fresh ricotta and mascarpone for the best flavor and texture.’, ‘If the filling seems runny, ensure ricotta was properly drained or add powdered sugar to thicken.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Cannoli, Dessert, Italian, Easy Recipe, Creamy, Chocolate, Party Dessert