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
Scale
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.
