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EASY Mini Cannoli Cups

Mini Cannoli Cups are bite-sized Italian-inspired desserts made with baked pastry cups and sweet ricotta filling.
Prep Time 19 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian-American

Ingredients
  

Filling

  • 1 container whole-milk ricotta cheese 15 ounces, drained
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange or lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cannoli Cups

  • 1 box refrigerated pie crusts softened as directed (2 crusts)
  • 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Garnish

  • ¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips or finely chopped pistachios
  • Additional powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Lightly flour a work surface and unroll the pie crusts.
  • Sprinkle both crusts evenly with turbinado sugar and cinnamon.
  • Gently roll a rolling pin over the dough to press the sugar and cinnamon into the crust.
  • Using a 2½-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out circles from the dough.
  • Press each circle gently into ungreased mini muffin cups.
  • Re-roll any remaining dough and continue cutting circles until you have approximately 48 pastry rounds.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until the cups are golden brown.
  • Allow the cups to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cups cool, prepare the filling. In a large mixing bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, citrus zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  • Transfer the filling to a large zip-top bag and seal. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Just before serving, snip a corner from the bag and pipe about 1 tablespoon of filling into each cooled pastry cup.
  • Garnish the Mini Cannoli Cups with miniature chocolate chips or chopped pistachios.
  • Dust lightly with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Substitute lemon zest for a brighter citrus flavor.
  • Mini chocolate chips and pistachios can be combined for extra texture.
  • Serve on a dessert platter alongside cookies, brownies, or fresh fruit.
  • These bite-sized cannoli desserts are ideal for holiday celebrations and special events.