Name: Cannoli Bites Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 premade pie crust; 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, strained; 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/3 cup powdered sugar; 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping

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Introduction

Cannoli Bites are a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, perfect for bite-sized indulgence. These mini treats combine a crisp pastry shell with a creamy, sweet ricotta filling studded with chocolate chips. They’re quick to make and sure to impress at any gathering.

A close-up of a small tart held by a woman's hand showing its layers: a golden brown, crispy shell forms the base, filled with a smooth, creamy white filling in the center, topped with several small, dark chocolate chips scattered unevenly, and dusted lightly with white powdered sugar on top and around the edges of the shell. In the blurred background, more similar tarts sit on a cooling rack and a white plate on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 premade pie crust
1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (strained)
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips; plus more for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Unroll the room temperature pie crust onto a lightly floured surface or cutting board. Using a 2 ½ inch round biscuit cutter, cookie cutter, or cup, cut out 12 rounds from the dough. Place each round into an ungreased mini muffin tin and gently press with your fingers to fit the shape of the tin.
Step 2: Bake the pie crust rounds for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they turn a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 15 minutes in the muffin tin.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the strained ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and mini chocolate chips. Mix until smooth and well blended.
Step 4: Spoon the ricotta filling into the cooled pastry cups. For a neat presentation, transfer the filling into a large resealable plastic bag, cut a small corner, or use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe the filling into each cup. Garnish with extra mini chocolate chips and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a slightly tangier filling, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the ricotta mixture.
Strain the ricotta overnight using a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture for a thicker filling.
Try adding chopped pistachios or candied orange peel as a garnish for extra texture and flavor.

Storage

Store the assembled cannoli bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because the pastry cups can soften over time, it’s best to fill them just before serving. Reheat the pastry cups alone briefly in the oven to restore their crispness if desired, but avoid reheating after filling.

How to Serve

A group of eight mini tartlets placed closely on a white, round plate with cut-out edge designs. Each tartlet has a golden-brown, crispy crust forming a small cup. Inside, there is a creamy, pale yellow filling topped with small dark chocolate chips scattered unevenly. The crust edges and filling are lightly dusted with powdered sugar, adding a soft white contrast. In the background, more identical tartlets sit on a wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface, with one separate tartlet placed to the right. At the bottom left corner, part of a floral cloth with red and green patterns is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pie crust?

Yes, a homemade pie crust works perfectly and adds a personal touch. Just ensure it’s rolled out evenly and chilled before cutting the rounds.

How do I strain ricotta cheese?

Place the ricotta in a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth set over a bowl and let it drain in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to remove excess liquid, resulting in a thicker, creamier filling.