This cannoli dip is a blend of two types of sweet Italian cheeses, sugar and chocolate chips, all blended together to make a creamy dip that tastes just like the inside of a cannoli. Serve your dip with graham crackers, cookies, cannoli shells and fruit, then watch the rave reviews roll in.
When I want a unique and unexpected dessert or party snack, I turn to sweet dips such as chocolate fruit dip, cherry cheescake dip and this delicious cannoli dip.
I love cannolis, but let’s be real, they can be difficult to make from scratch. Between frying the shells, making the filling and then putting the whole thing together, it can be a labor of love. This cannoli dip has all the same great flavors but takes just minutes to put together.
What is cannoli dip made of?
This dip contains just a handful of ingredients that are available at most grocery stores.
- Ricotta Cheese: This type of cheese can be found in the dairy section of every grocery store. I choose whole milk ricotta whenever possible as I think it has a richer flavor.
- Mascarpone Cheese: I recommend using mascarpone cheese in this dip, which is essentially an Italian cream cheese. It has a lighter flavor and creamier texture than standard cream cheese. This cheese is sold in tubs in the specialty cheese area of most grocery stores If you can’t locate mascarpone, feel free to substitute standard cream cheese.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar, you want to opt for this variety over regular granulated sugar as it will blend into the dip better and not leave a gritty texture.
- Vanila Extract: Go for pure vanilla extract, avoid the imitation version.
- Chocolate Chips: You will want to use miniature chocolate chips for authentic cannoli taste and texture. If you can’t find mini chips, you could finely chop a bar of high quality semisweet chocolate and stir it into the dip.
How do you make cannoli dip?
Place the ricotta and mascarpone cheeses in a bowl, then beat until smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla, then beat to combine. Stir in a healthy amount of chocolate chips, leaving another few tablespoons for garnish. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top of the dip, then serve with the dippers of your choice.
Tips for the perfect dip
- This dip can be made up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. Let the dip sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before you plan to eat it, and add the chocolate chip garnish right before serving.
- Serve your dip with a variety of dipping options such as broken waffle cones, waffle or pizzelle cookies, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, pre-made cannoli shells or strawberries. The possibilities are endless!
- For an extra creamy dip, puree the ricotta in a food processor before you beat it with the mascarpone cheese.
Flavor Variations
While this dip is fabulous as-is, you can add other ingredients to make it your own!
- Fruit: Add some fruit flavors with chopped candied orange peel, mixed candied fruit, candied cherries or freshly grated orange zest.
- Nuts: Stir in some finely chopped pistachios or add them on top of the dip as a garnish.
- Flavorings: Add a little almond extract, or stir in some cocoa powder for a chocolate version of this dip.
Cannoli dip is sure to be the hit of the party – it’s full of flavor, easy to make, and fun to eat!
More dips to try
Cannoli Dip Video
Cannoli Dip
Ingredients
- 15 ounce tub ricotta cheese I prefer whole milk
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese softened, cream cheese is also fine
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips divided use
- dippers such as cookies, waffle cone pieces, prepared cannoli shells and strawberries
Instructions
- Place the ricotta and mascarpone cheeses in the bowl of a mixer. Beat at medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and well combined.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat at low speed until combined.
- Stir in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips.
- Spoon the dip into a serving bowl. Top with the rest of the chocolate chips, then serve with assorted dippers.
I whipped this up for my daughter to take to her boyfriend’s house! Paired it with strawberries, mini vanilla wafers, Oreos, graham crackers and Piroulijnes. The tray is beautiful! Thank you!
This is how I remember cannoli cream as a child. Ordered a pizzelle press to make the cookie. It’ll be the perfect pairing!
I love cannolis and putting the flavor of a cannoli into a dip is awesome! This turned out to be a super fun and tasty desert!
I absolutely love cannolis and putting the flavors of a cannoli into a dip is genius!! This turned out to be perfectly sweet and creamy – and was so easy to make too!
Enjoyed this for an afternoon treat and it did not disappoint! So easy and delicious; my kids gobbled this up!
I loved how easy this is!! My kids almost ate it by the spoonful!!
One of the best dessert dips EVER! My family loves it and we always make it for game or movie night!
This dip is irresistible! It was the centerpiece of a snack board I made and was surrounded by an assortment of dippers. Talk about a hit! Everyone loved it!
You are right about the rave reviews. Everyone devoured this dip. Definitely a keeper. Thanks for the recipe!
This dip looks and sounds amazing. Those miniature choc chips look cute. I’ve got friends coming tomorrow so this will be the perfect sweet treat, cheers!
My addiction to cannoli’s is already bananas, and now this recipe! SO GOOD!! Thank you for sharing. Strawberries are my favorite thing to dip!
Delicious! I followed your step by step directions and it came out just perfect.
Will definitely making this again.
Thank you so much!
This is one of my favorite dessert dips. So so good. Thanks for sharing
What a creative idea! Excited to try this!