If you have a sweet tooth and love the creamy, dreamy flavors of Italian desserts, you are going to adore this Cannoli Dip Recipe. It takes all the classic elements of a traditional cannoli—rich ricotta and mascarpone cheeses, a hint of vanilla, and delightful chocolate chips—and transforms them into a luscious, party-friendly dip that’s perfect for dipping your favorite cookies, fruits, or even waffle cones. This Cannoli Dip Recipe is surprisingly easy to whip up, making it an irresistible choice for any gathering or a cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this Cannoli Dip Recipe right means relying on simple but essential ingredients that combine perfectly to create that signature rich flavor and velvety texture. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—whether it’s bringing creaminess, sweetness, or that chocolatey crunch—for an indulgent dip you’ll want to eat by the spoonful.
- Ricotta cheese: Draining it well is key to avoid a watery dip and ensure a smooth, creamy base.
- Mascarpone cheese: Adds luxurious creaminess and depth; a great alternative is cream cheese for a slightly tangier twist.
- Powdered sugar: Sifted for no lumps, it sweetens the dip evenly without any graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Just the right amount to infuse a warm, inviting fragrance and flavor.
- Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Folded in and saved for topping, they give delightful bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- Assorted dippers (Pizzelle cookies, Graham crackers, Chocolate chip cookies, Broken waffle cones, Strawberries, Broken cannoli shells): These add texture and make every bite exciting with a variety of crunch and freshness.
How to Make Cannoli Dip Recipe
Step 1: Drain the Ricotta
The secret to a thick and creamy dip lies in properly draining your ricotta cheese. Lay it out on paper towels and gently press to release excess moisture or set it in a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or even a coffee filter. This step might take a little patience but it’s worth it—you don’t want a runny dip!
Step 2: Mix the Cheeses
Grab a medium bowl and combine the drained ricotta with the mascarpone cheese. Using a hand mixer on medium-high speed, whip them together until you get a smooth, luscious mixture. This creamy foundation is what sets your Cannoli Dip Recipe apart from the rest.
Step 3: Add Sugar and Vanilla
Next, add the sifted powdered sugar along with the vanilla extract. Start mixing on a low speed to keep the sugar from puffing everywhere, then crank it up to medium-high until your mixture is perfectly smooth and sweetened just right. The vanilla adds a lovely aromatic note that brings the dip alive.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Use a spatula to gently fold in most of the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving a small handful to sprinkle on top later. Folding instead of whipping here preserves the texture of the chocolate and ensures you get hearty chocolate bursts with every dip.
Step 5: Chill the Dip
Cover your bowl and pop it into the fridge for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up beautifully. If you’re in a hurry, even 15 minutes will do—though patience truly rewards you with a better dip.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top and, if you like, a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish. This Cannoli Dip Recipe is now ready to shine alongside all your favorite dippers—get ready to impress!
How to Serve Cannoli Dip Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top adds a lovely contrast and little pockets of chocolate in every bite. For an extra festive touch, a dusting of powdered sugar or a few chopped pistachios can also elevate the presentation and add texture.
Side Dishes
This dip pairs fabulously with a variety of dippers. Try Pizzelle cookies for a crisp, lightly sweet crunch; graham crackers or chocolate chip cookies for familiar comfort; fresh strawberries if you want a juicy, tart balance; or broken cannoli shells and waffle cones to keep the Italian spirit alive with added crunch and flair.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Cannoli Dip Recipe in a gorgeous bowl surrounded by an assortment of dippers laid out on a rustic wooden board or a colorful platter. You could even pipe it into decorative glasses or small cups for individual servings at a party. Garnishing each serving with a tiny chocolate chip or a mint leaf makes it look like a dessert masterpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once you’ve enjoyed your Cannoli Dip Recipe, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining its creamy texture and delicious flavor. Just give it a gentle stir before serving again.
Freezing
Freezing this dip is not recommended because the texture of the cheese mixture can change and become grainy once thawed, which might take away from its silky smoothness and appeal.
Reheating
This dip is best served chilled and isn’t designed to be reheated. Leaving it at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving can slightly soften it, making scooping easier without compromising its creamy allure.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese for mascarpone in this Cannoli Dip Recipe?
Absolutely! Cream cheese works great as a substitute and will give the dip a slightly tangier flavor, but still maintain that creamy richness that’s essential for this recipe.
Do I have to use sifted powdered sugar?
Sifting powdered sugar helps prevent lumps and creates a smooth texture for your dip. If you don’t have a sifter, you can also whisk the sugar lightly before adding it, but sifting is ideal.
How long can I keep the Cannoli Dip Recipe in the fridge?
You can safely store leftovers for up to 3 days in a sealed container. Beyond that, the fresh cheese components may start to lose their flavor and texture.
What are the best dippers to use with this dip?
This dip tastes amazing with a wide range of dippers—Pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, and chocolate chip cookies are classic pairings. Fresh fruit like strawberries provides a nice contrast of flavor and texture.
Can I make this dip ahead for a party?
Yes! In fact, making it a few hours to a day ahead helps the flavors develop. Just keep it refrigerated and add garnishes right before serving for the best presentation.
Final Thoughts
This Cannoli Dip Recipe is truly one that you’ll want to keep in your dessert arsenal. It’s quick, delicious, and endlessly versatile—perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself after a long day. So grab those ingredients and give it a whirl; once you try it, it just might become your new favorite indulgence to share and savor!
Print
Cannoli Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert Dip
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy and luscious Cannoli Dip captures the classic flavors of traditional cannoli in a creamy, scoopable dessert dip. Made with ricotta and mascarpone cheese, sweet powdered sugar, vanilla, and studded with mini chocolate chips, this no-bake recipe is perfect for parties, gatherings, or anytime you want a simple yet decadent treat. Serve chilled with an assortment of cookies, broken waffle cones, cannoli shells, or fresh fruit for dipping.
Ingredients
Dip Ingredients
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, drained
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese as a substitute)
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
Dippers
- Pizzelle cookies
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Broken waffle cones
- Strawberries
- Broken cannoli shells
Instructions
- Drain the Ricotta: Ensure the ricotta cheese is thoroughly drained before using by laying it on paper towels and pressing out moisture or using a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove excess liquid. This step is important to prevent a watery dip.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese. Using a hand mixer on medium-high speed, blend the cheeses for several minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cheese mixture. Begin mixing on low speed to avoid powdered sugar flying out of the bowl, then increase to medium-high speed and continue until the dip is completely smooth and well combined.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in all but two tablespoons of the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips with a spatula, reserving the remaining chips for garnish on top of the dip.
- Chill the Dip: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dip for at least 1 hour to enhance flavor and texture. If you are short on time, chilling for 15 minutes will still yield a tasty result.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top and optionally dust with extra powdered sugar. Serve the dip chilled with an assortment of dippers like pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, broken waffle cones, strawberries, or broken cannoli shells for a delightful presentation and taste experience.
Notes
- Draining the ricotta thoroughly is key to avoiding a watery dip.
- If mascarpone cheese is unavailable, cream cheese can be used as a substitute but will slightly alter the flavor and texture.
- The dip can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, allowing flavors to meld nicely.
- For added texture, consider stirring in chopped pistachios or mini chocolate chips into the dip beyond the garnish.
- Use fresh fruit like strawberries or apple slices as a gluten-free dipping alternative.
