Description
This creamy and delicious Cannoli Dip combines smooth ricotta and mascarpone cheeses sweetened with powdered sugar and flavored with vanilla. Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips add delightful bursts of chocolate throughout the dip. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, this no-cook dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers like pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, strawberries, and broken cannoli shells, offering all the beloved flavors of classic cannoli in a quick, easy-to-serve spread.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 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 (for serving)
- Pizzelle cookies
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Broken waffle cones
- Strawberries
- Broken cannoli shells
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: Combine the drained ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium-high speed, blend the cheeses together for several minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Sweeteners: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cheese mixture. Start mixing on low speed to prevent powdered sugar from flying out, then increase speed until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in all but two tablespoons of the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Chill the Dip: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dip for at least 1 hour for best flavor and texture, though it can be served as soon as 15 minutes later if needed.
- Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved two tablespoons of mini chocolate chips on top and optionally dust with some powdered sugar. Serve alongside your choice of dippers such as pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, strawberries, or broken cannoli shells for a delightful treat.
Notes
- Drain the ricotta cheese well before using by spooning it onto layers of paper towels and pressing out moisture multiple times, or by placing it in a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and gently pressing to remove excess liquid.
- Mascarpone cheese provides the most authentic cannoli flavor; however, if unavailable, cream cheese can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will differ slightly.
- For a lighter and fluffier dip, whip in half a cup of heavy whipping cream with the ricotta and mascarpone before adding powdered sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
