Description
Sicilian cannoli cups bring luxurious Italian dessert magic into bite-sized perfection. Crisp pastry shells cradle rich ricotta cream, sprinkled with chocolate chips and dusted with powdered sugar, inviting you to savor each delightful Mediterranean-inspired morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling Ingredients:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (100 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cannoli Cup Base Ingredients:
- 1 box pie crusts (softened)
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) turbinado sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (40 grams) mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios
- Extra powdered sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Carefully unfold the pie crusts and generously sprinkle turbinado sugar and ground cinnamon across the surface, gently rolling with a pin to embed the sweet, aromatic mixture into the dough.
- Using a circular cookie cutter or glass rim, precisely cut rounds from the seasoned pie crusts and delicately press them into the cavities of a mini muffin tin, ensuring smooth, even placement.
- Bake the pastry shells for approximately 10-12 minutes until they transform into a beautiful golden-brown color. Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine smooth ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, freshly grated orange or lemon zest, and pure vanilla extract. Whisk the ingredients until the mixture becomes uniformly creamy and light.
- Transfer the luxurious filling into a piping bag or zip-top bag, then snip a small corner to create a precise piping tip.
- Elegantly pipe the ricotta cream into each cooled pastry shell, filling them to the brim with the fragrant mixture.
- Enhance the mini cannoli cups by sprinkling chocolate chips or chopped pistachios on top, then dust lightly with additional powdered sugar for a delicate, professional finish.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and temperature of these delightful miniature desserts.
Notes
- Craft these delightful mini cannoli cups when you crave a bite-sized Italian dessert that impresses guests without hours of complicated preparation.
- Transform ordinary pie crust into crispy, sugar-crusted shells that provide the perfect vessel for creamy ricotta filling.
- Swap traditional cannoli-making techniques for this simplified approach that delivers authentic flavors with minimal kitchen effort.
- Elevate the dessert by using fresh citrus zest and high-quality vanilla extract, which brighten the rich ricotta mixture.
- Store leftover cups loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to two days, ensuring the pastry remains crisp and filling stays creamy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg