Homemade Cannoli Cookie Cups Recipe: Sweet Italian Magic

Creamy, rich ricotta fills these delightful cannoli cookie cups that blend traditional Italian dessert magic with modern baking charm.

Sweet pastry shells cradle a luscious filling inspired by classic cannoli flavors.

Crisp edges give way to a smooth, decadent center that melts in your mouth.

Chocolate chips and powdered sugar add an extra layer of indulgence to this irresistible treat.

Small enough for gatherings yet impressive enough for special occasions, these cookie cups promise to delight every palate.

Whip up a batch and watch as smiles spread around the table, celebrating the perfect marriage of cookie and cannoli.

Dive into this delectable dessert that brings a taste of Sicily right to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 23

Cannoli Cookie Cups Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure for tender cookie cups with a soft, crumbly texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Delivers sweet caramelized depth and helps create golden-brown edges.
• Butter: Ensures rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor and helps bind ingredients together.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create smooth, cohesive dough consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertone that complements sweet filling.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and achieve light, airy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, subtle spice note that elevates cookie base.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creates creamy, smooth base with traditional Italian dessert authenticity.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Adds luxurious, silky texture and extra richness to filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens filling and provides smooth, fine consistency.
• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy undertone that cuts through richness.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Provides delightful texture and classic cannoli-inspired chocolate element.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Offers decorative chocolate crunch.
• Pistachios: Adds nutty, crunchy contrast and elegant green color accent.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate, elegant finishing touch with soft white dusting.

What You’ll Need For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to a light, fluffy consistency.
• Large mixing bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Mini muffin tin: Creates the signature cup shape for these delightful treats.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients and scrape down bowl sides.
• Piping bag or spoon: Used for filling cookie cups with creamy cannoli mixture.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookie cups to cool completely and maintain their shape.

How To Fill Cannoli Cookie Cups Easily

• Cookie Base Preparation

Mix soft butter with sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, blending smoothly. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in another bowl. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just incorporated.

• Shaping and Baking

Heat oven to 350F. Coat mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Create small dough balls, placing them inside each cup. Press centers gently to form little wells. Bake until edges turn golden, about 10-12 minutes. While warm, press centers again to maintain cup shape. Allow complete cooling in pan.

• Creamy Filling Creation

Whip ricotta and mascarpone until silky. Incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. Fold in miniature chocolate chips. Chill filling for 30 minutes to set texture.

• Filling and Decorating

Carefully spoon or pipe cannoli mixture into cooled cookie cups. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips or crushed pistachios. Optional powdered sugar dusting adds elegant touch.

• Serving Suggestions

Best enjoyed fresh. Can be stored in refrigerator for several hours before serving. Perfect for gatherings or sweet afternoon treats.

Creative Tips For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Dough Perfection Hack: Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create more defined cup shapes. Cold dough helps maintain structure during baking.
• Filling Texture Magic: Drain ricotta cheese overnight in a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture, ensuring a thick, creamy filling that won't become watery. Pat ricotta dry with paper towels for best results.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to make these cups celiac-friendly. Add a pinch of xanthan gum for better binding and texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap ricotta with cashew cream or coconut cream cheese. Use dairy-free butter alternatives and plant-based chocolate chips to create a vegan-friendly version of these delightful cookie cups.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different mix-ins like chopped candied orange peel, crushed amaretto cookies, or a splash of marsala wine in the filling to add authentic Italian flair and unexpected depth.

Serve Cannoli Cookie Cups In Style

• Sweet Party Platter: Arrange cookie cups on a decorative tray with fresh mint leaves scattered between them for a festive touch.
• Dessert Buffet Centerpiece: Create a stunning display by varying cup heights using cake stands or tiered serving platters, making the treat visually appealing.
• Brunch Companion: Pair these delightful cookie cups with strong espresso or cappuccino for an authentic Italian-inspired morning indulgence.
• Gifting Delight: Package individual cookie cups in clear mini boxes with ribbons for charming homemade food gifts that look professionally crafted.

Smart Storage For Cannoli Cookie Cups

• Cookie Cup Cooling Strategy: Let cookie cups cool completely in the muffin tin to maintain their delicate shape and prevent cracking. This helps them set perfectly without falling apart.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store filled cannoli cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them chilled helps maintain the filling's creamy texture and prevents separation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie cups and filling separately up to 2 days in advance. Keep the unfilled cups at room temperature in a sealed container and store the filling in the refrigerator. Assemble just before serving to keep the cups crisp and fresh.
• Smart Serving Tip: For best taste and texture, remove cookie cups from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to soften slightly and the flavors to become more pronounced, creating a more enjoyable dessert experience.

Heavenly Cannoli Cookie Cups Recipe

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• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Cannoli cookie cups blend Sicily’s beloved dessert with American baking traditions. Crisp pastry shells cradle rich ricotta filling, offering a delightful twist you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese, drained
• ½ cup (120 g) mascarpone cheese
• ⅓ cup (60 g) mini chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp orange zest (optional)
• Mini chocolate chips (for garnish)
• Chopped pistachios (for garnish)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cookie Base: Cream butter with sugars until fluffy, then blend in eggs and vanilla extract into a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, then gently incorporate into the sugar mixture to create a consistent dough.
3. Form and Bake Cookie Cups: Preheat oven to 350F (175C), spray mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Roll dough into small balls, place in tin cavities, and create thumb indentations to form cup shapes.
4. Bake and Shape Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Immediately upon removal, reinforce cup shape by pressing centers again. Allow to cool completely in the tin.
5. Craft Cannoli Filling: Whip ricotta and mascarpone with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest until achieving a silky smooth texture. Fold in mini chocolate chips and refrigerate to set.
6. Assemble and Garnish: Fill cooled cookie cups with chilled cannoli cream using a piping bag or spoon. Decorate with additional chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
7. Serve and Store: Present immediately or refrigerate briefly to maintain optimal flavor and presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Dough Overworking: Mix flour mixture gently into wet ingredients to maintain a tender, soft cookie cup texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Master Thumb Indentation: Create cup shape carefully when pressing centers, ensuring uniform depth and width for consistent filling capacity and elegant presentation.
• Cooling Technique: Let cookie cups completely cool inside muffin tin to preserve structural integrity and prevent cracking or breaking during removal.
• Temperature Control for Filling: Chill cannoli cream mixture before piping to enhance flavor complexity and achieve optimal spreadable consistency for smooth, elegant filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg