Delicious, creamy Cannoli Dip is the perfect sweet treat for your next get together. Made with just 5 ingredients, this delicious dip is better than classic Cannolis and SO much easier! The perfect no bake dessert!
Love no bake desserts? Make sure to check out my Banana Pudding and Ice Cream Cake recipes!
Cannoli Dip
We are big fans of easy desserts that feed a crowd. Especially when they come in dip form and take about 10 minutes to make. That is what I call a win. This Cannoli Dip fits the bill for gatherings of all sizes and the recipe can easily be doubled or halved as needed.
This Cannoli Dip has become a favorite over the years and is frequently enjoyed at family get togethers, holidays and BBQs. It’s a cinch to pull together and with only 5 ingredients, it makes my life incredible easy – not to mention delicious.
We are big fans of cannoli – especially these Churro Cannolis – but this dip just can’t be beat!
What Is Cannoli Dip?
There is nothing better than a complicated dessert simplified. That is the essence of this cannoli dip. It is essentially the filling of a cannoli turned into a creamy, sensational dip that is perfect for parties.
It’s amazing.
The fun part is the dippers! I have lots of suggestions for dipping (see below) but when all else fails, use a spoon!
More Dessert Dips To Try
We are suckers for sweet dips especially when they are perfect for a party! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Key Lime Pie Fruit Dip
- Baked Apple Pie Dip
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Blueberry Pie Cheese Ball
- Mocha S’mores Dip
Cannoli Dip Ingredients
This easy dip has just 5 ingredients and many are what you’d find in a cannoli filling recipe. It can be made ahead of time which frees up your time when you’re prepping for the holidays or a family gathering. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need for this dip:
- ricotta cheese – the ricotta cheese needs to be drained before using otherwise the dip will end up too runny.
- mascarpone cheese – this will give you a true, authentic cannoli filling flavor but if you can’t find it, cream cheese can be substituted.
- powdered sugar – to sweeten the dip. Sift the powdered sugar first to avoid any lumps.
- vanilla extract – this really rounds out the flavor of the dip. If you like, you can use half vanilla extract and half almond extract.
- mini semi sweet chocolate chips – make sure you buy the mini, regular sized chocolate chips are too big for this dip.
A little orange zest is a delicious addition to this dip!
How To Make Cannoli Dip
- Cream ricotta and mascarpone together.
- Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Fold in mini chocolate chips.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Just before serving, sprinkle with more chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve with desired dippers and enjoy!
Cannoli Dip Dippers
The best part of this dip is the yummy dippers that go with it. You really can’t wrong but here are a few of our favorite dippers to consider:
- graham crackers
- Nilla wafers
- chocolate chip cookies
- strawberries
- butter crisps (shown in my pictures)
- pizzelle cookies
- broken waffle cones/cups
- broken cannoli shells or cannoli chips
- anything else that you can think of!
Trish’s Tips
- Use fresh, whole milk ricotta for the least amount of liquid. This will help keep the dip from turning grainy or runny.
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to easily make this dip. You really need the power of a mixer to get this dip extra smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy within 2 days of making. This recipe is great for making in advance – but not too far! I find it starts to get a little runny after 2 or 3 days.
- The ricotta cheese needs to be drained. My favorite way to do this is to spoon it on to layers of paper towels and press out all the moisture. You will need to do this a few times. The other way is to line a fine mesh sieve with cheesecloth or coffee filter, place the ricotta on the cheesecloth and gently press on the ricotta to let the excess moisture drain away.
- Mascarpone cheese will give the most authentic cannoli flavor but if you can’t find it, cream cheese can be substituted. The flavor will definitely be different. Good but different.
- To make a lighter, fluffier cannoli dip, whip in a half cup of heavy whipping cream with the ricotta and mascarpone.
Try adding one of these mix-ins: orange zest, chopped pistachio or other nuts, orange extract or whipped cream for a lighter, fluffier dip.
More Easy No Bake Desserts To Try
- No Bake Lemon Pie
- Banana Split Dessert
- Ambrosia Salad
- Easy No Bake Cookies
- Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake (with video!)
How To Make Cannoli Dip
Cannoli Dip
Ingredients
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese drained
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese cream cheese can be substituted
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
Dippers
- pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, broken waffle cones, strawberries, broken cannoli shells, etc.
Instructions
- Combine ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese together in a medium mixing bowl and using a hand mixer, mix on medium high speed for several minutes or until the mixture is smooth and creamy.15 ounces ricotta cheese, 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until combined and smooth. (Start on low speed to avoid a powdered sugar shower…)1 ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Fold in all but two tablespoons of the mini chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The dip is best after 1 hour but can be served in as little as 15 minutes if need be.¾ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
- Just before serving, sprinkle on reserved chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve with desired dippers and enjoy!pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, broken waffle cones, strawberries, broken cannoli shells, etc.
Video
Notes
- The ricotta cheese needs to be drained. My favorite way to do this is to spoon it on to layers of paper towels and press out all the moisture. You will need to do this a few times. The other way is to line a fine mesh sieve with cheesecloth or coffee filter, place the ricotta on the cheesecloth and gently press on the ricotta to let the excess moisture drain away.
- Mascarpone cheese will give the most authentic cannoli flavor but if you can’t find it, cream cheese can be substituted. The flavor will definitely be different. Good but different.
- To make a lighter, fluffier cannoli dip, whip in a half cup of heavy whipping cream with the ricotta and mascarpone.
Sarah Miller says
I’ve made this 3x (so far) since finding your recipe. And three times isn’t enough! It’s delicious. Tonight we had it with assorted berries and lady fingers since I sadly didn’t have cannoli shells. But they were tasty and 7 of us nearly polished off a double batch. I actually throw all my ingredients into my Vitamix because it’s so easy. It’s roughly 15-20 seconds to blend so I prefer this method. It’s definitely a hit over here. Thanks you for the easy but delicious recipe!!
Melissa says
A step that is required BEFORE starting the recipe should be printed at the beginning. By the time I saw that the ricotta needs to be drained (at the end of the recipe), I had already blended all the ingredients. My dip came out a little loose. What a waste of precious ricotta and mascarpone. Bummer.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
The ingredients listed says “ricotta, drained”. It’s literally the first ingredient so I’m not sure how I can advise you that you need to drain any sooner…
Venie says
I made this, thought I let the ricotta drain long enough but not the case, very thing. Any suggestions on how to thicken it up?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You really have to press on it a bit. You can always add more mascarpone or powdered sugar to thicken it.
Dayna says
Hi! Would this freeze well?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No, I don’t recommend freezing it.
Lisa says
I made this for a holiday gathering and it is amazing!
(I mixed the powdered sugar in with the cheeses, started mixing on low
to avoid the sugar shower! 🙂 I also only stirred in about 1/4 cup of
mini chocolate chips so the chocolate wouldn’t be overpowering.
Rave reviews, thank you!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I appreciate this so much Lisa, thank you!
Melissa says
This was a hit at my party! Thank you for a great recipe 😊
Grammacat says
Excellent recipe. Easy too. Tastes FANTASTIC! I’m using the cream to stuff Cannoli shells and between homemade chocolate chip cookies for sandwich cookies. Inside chocolate chip muffins! Oh the possibilities! I also added chopped pistachios. About 2 ounces. More chocolate chips too. About 10 ounces. This recipe makes a lot of cream and I’ll gladly share with friends.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Love the addition of chopped pistachios! Thank you!
Susan says
Made this for my granddaughter who loves Cannoli. SOOOO YUMMY! Dipped Girl Scout cookies( Trefoils, Lemonups and Thin Mints in it. All were delish!
SheilaG says
Ready to make this and wondering how dark chocolate mini chips would taste… Looks so delicious. Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Those would be delicious in this recipe!
Kimberly says
This is one of the best recipes I’ve ever used. Every measurement is perfect. I do recommend straining the ricotta and I found using BelGioioso mascarpone is the best brand
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Kimberly!
career booster says
That’s something extra for me to have because I just started learning from your platform. And I already know many things about these recipes. Let me think about practice it and will tell you about it.