Heavenly Cannoli Cake Recipe: Sweet Italian Dream Come True

When the sweet aroma of a creamy cannoli cake recipe fills your kitchen, magic happens.

Sicilian traditions blend perfectly with modern dessert crafting in this delightful treat.

Each layer whispers stories of rich culinary heritage and indulgent flavors.

The classic Italian dessert gets a delectable makeover that will make your taste buds dance.

Velvety ricotta cream nestles between soft, tender cake layers that melt in your mouth.

Delicate pistachio crumbles and a sprinkle of powdered sugar add the perfect finishing touch.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible dessert that brings pure joy to the table.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cannoli Cake

• Chocolate Ganache Foundation

Create a silky chocolate base by warming cream and melting chocolate chips into a smooth, glossy mixture. Let the ganache cool and slightly thicken in the refrigerator while preparing other components.

• Ricotta Cream Magic

Blend ricotta cheese with sweet powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a luxurious creamy base. Gently fold in chocolate chips for delightful bursts of flavor and texture throughout the mixture.

• Whipped Cream Cloud

Whip fresh cream until soft peaks form, transforming it into a light, airy cloud. Carefully incorporate this fluffy cream into the ricotta mixture, maintaining its delicate structure.

• Cake Layer Construction

Slice frozen pound cake into thin, even layers. Carefully arrange the first layer in a pan, pressing gently to create a solid foundation. Spread a generous layer of ricotta cream across the cake.

• Layering and Assembly

Continue building layers of cake and ricotta cream, alternating carefully. Ensure each layer is evenly distributed for a balanced and beautiful final presentation.

• Chocolate Cascade

Retrieve the cooled ganache and pour it smoothly over the top of the assembled cake. Allow the chocolate to drip elegantly down the sides, creating a tempting visual appeal.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle additional chocolate chips across the top, creating a playful and delicious decoration. Refrigerate the cake to allow flavors to meld and set perfectly.

Cannoli Cake Flavor Tips and Garnishes

• Let heavy cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before heating to ensure smoother melting and more consistent ganache texture.
• Press ricotta through a fine-mesh strainer before mixing to eliminate any potential lumps, creating an ultra-silky filling that spreads like velvet.
• Prepare cake components a day in advance – ganache, filling, and sliced pound cake can be stored separately in refrigerator, allowing quick assembly when ready to serve.
• Toast mini chocolate chips lightly in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes before adding to recipe, enhancing their nutty flavor and bringing deeper richness to the dessert.
• Wipe knife with warm, damp cloth between each slice to achieve clean, picture-perfect cuts that showcase beautiful cake layers without crumbling or messy edges.

Ways to Serve Cannoli Cake at Gatherings

• Party Platter Perfection: Create an elegant dessert board featuring sliced cannoli cake alongside fresh berries, mint leaves, and a dusting of powdered sugar for a stunning presentation.
• Cappuccino Companion: Serve each slice with a warm espresso or rich cappuccino to complement the cake's creamy texture and chocolate chips, enhancing the traditional Italian dessert experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Portion: Cut into smaller squares for bite-sized treats perfect for potlucks, birthday parties, or casual gatherings where guests can easily enjoy this decadent dessert without fuss.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle crushed pistachios or candied orange peel on top of the ganache for an extra layer of flavor and a pop of color that makes the cake look even more irresistible.

How to Keep Cannoli Cake Fresh and Moist

• Chill and Savor Strategy: Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld perfectly, enhancing the overall taste experience.
• Slice and Store Smart: Cut the cake into individual portions before storing in an airtight container to maintain freshness and make quick grab-and-go treats.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze up to 2 weeks, ensuring a delightful dessert is always ready when cravings strike.
• Moisture Management: Place a layer of parchment paper between cake slices to prevent sticking and protect the delicate ganache and filling during storage.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 353 kcal

Servings: 13

Cannoli Cake Ingredients You Should Have

• Family-Size Frozen Pound Cake: Provides a sturdy and delicious foundation for the cannoli cake, creating a convenient and quick base that saves preparation time.
• Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: Delivers authentic Italian cannoli flavor and creamy texture, ensuring a rich and traditional taste profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness and helps create a smooth, silky filling with a refined texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes and complements the ricotta's richness.

• Mini Chocolate Chips, Heavy Whipping Cream: Work together to create a luxurious, light cream topping with delightful chocolate crunch.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Provide classic cannoli-style chocolate bits that add depth and excitement to each slice.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Whips into a fluffy, cloud-like topping that brings elegance and lightness to the dessert.

Tools That Make Cannoli Cake Smooth and

• Microwave-safe bowl: Perfect for heating cream smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Essential for mixing ricotta and whipped cream.
• Hand mixer or immersion blender: Crucial for whipping cream to stiff peaks.
• 8×8 inch pan: Key for layering and assembling the cake.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice frozen pound cake evenly.
• Whisk: Great for blending ricotta mixture.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding ingredients and spreading layers gently.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

Decadent Cannoli Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sicilian cannoli cake blends creamy ricotta filling with delicate pastry layers, creating a dessert that celebrates Italian culinary heritage. Festive and rich, this cake invites you to savor Mediterranean flavors in each delightful slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 container (15 oz / 425 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
• 12 oz (340 g) mini chocolate chips, divided
• 1 family-size (16 oz / 454 g) store-bought frozen pound cake
• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy whipping cream, divided
• ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Ganache Preparation: Microwave heavy whipping cream until hot, then submerge mini chocolate chips. Let sit undisturbed for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Refrigerate to set.
2. Ricotta Mixture: Blend ricotta cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Fold in mini chocolate chips evenly.
3. Cream Whipping: Whip remaining heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently incorporate into ricotta mixture, maintaining airiness.
4. Cake Layering: Thaw pound cake and slice into uniform ¼ inch pieces. Arrange first layer in 8×8 inch pan, trimming edges for a perfect fit.
5. Filling Application: Spread half the cannoli filling over the first cake layer. Add second cake layer, pressing gently. Distribute remaining filling evenly.
6. Ganache Topping: Restore ganache to a pourable consistency. Drizzle over cake, ensuring complete and even coverage. Sprinkle remaining mini chocolate chips decoratively.
7. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate cake for minimum 3 hours or overnight. Cover after 15 minutes of initial chilling to prevent moisture accumulation.

Notes

• Chocolate Chip Selection: Use high-quality mini chocolate chips for the best flavor and smooth texture in the ganache and filling.
• Ricotta Consistency: Ensure ricotta is well-drained to prevent excess moisture that could make the cake soggy.
• Whipping Cream Technique: Achieve stiff peaks carefully to maintain the light, airy texture of the filling.
• Chilling Importance: Allow sufficient refrigeration time to let flavors meld and cake layers set completely.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 353
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 165 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 89 mg