Sweet Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe: Tiny Bites of Italian Bliss

Delicate pastry shells cradle a silky cannoli filling that whispers sweet secrets of Sicily in this mini cannoli cups recipe.

These bite-sized delights pack an irresistible punch of creamy goodness into every single morsel.

Ancient Sicilian traditions meet modern dessert innovation with each delectable cup.

Crisp, golden shells provide the perfect crunch against the smooth ricotta center.

Powdered sugar dusts these miniature treats like a delicate winter snowfall, adding a touch of elegance to your dessert spread.

The rich combination of chocolate chips and ricotta creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Serve these miniature marvels at your next gathering, and watch as they disappear in moments of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 13

Mini Cannoli Cups Ingredient List for Quick Prep

• Pie Crust: Provides a delicate, crispy foundation for the mini cannoli cups with a hint of sweetness.
• Turbinado Sugar: Adds a delightful crunch and caramel-like sweetness to the crust.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic notes that complement the sweet filling.
• Flour: Helps with rolling and preventing sticking during preparation.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creates a smooth, rich base with a delicate texture and mild flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and balances the cheese's tanginess.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and a silky smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic warmth to the filling.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces a bright, citrusy note that lightens the creamy mixture.

• Chocolate Chips: Offer rich, melty chocolate bursts for extra indulgence.
• Pistachios: Provide a nutty crunch and beautiful green color contrast.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, snow-like dusting for an elegant final touch.

Utensils for Assembling Mini Cannoli Cups

• Cookie Cutter (2½-inch): Essential for cutting perfect pie crust rounds.
• Mini Muffin Tin: Creates the cup shape for the cannoli base.
• Wire Rack: Helps cool baked pastry cups evenly.
• Zip-Top Bag: Perfect for piping creamy ricotta filling smoothly.
• Electric Mixer: Blends ricotta filling to a creamy consistency.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for rolling pie crust.
• Rolling Pin: Helps embed sugar and cinnamon into dough.
• Small Knife: Useful for snipping zip-top bag corner.

How to Fill and Bake Mini Cannoli Cups

• Pastry Foundation

Start by warming your kitchen oven to a toasty temperature. Gently unfold delicate pie dough and sprinkle with sparkling sugar crystals and warm cinnamon. Press sugar into dough with a light touch, creating a sweet crust.

• Pastry Shaping

Cut circular shapes from the dough using a small round cutter. Nestle these delicate circles into mini muffin cavities, creating tiny edible vessels for your creamy filling.

• Golden Baking

Slide the muffin tin into the heated oven. Watch carefully as the pastry transforms into golden, crispy shells with delicate edges. Allow the cups to rest and cool completely after baking.

• Creamy Filling Creation

Blend rich ricotta with sweet sugars, bright citrus zest, and smooth vanilla. Mix until silky and luxurious. Transfer the filling into a piping bag, keeping it chilled until serving time.

• Final Flourish

When ready to serve, pipe the dreamy filling into each crisp pastry cup. Sprinkle with crunchy chocolate bits or vibrant green pistachios. Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a elegant finish.

Flavor Ideas for Mini Cannoli Cream and Shells

• Replace traditional pie crust with puff pastry or phyllo dough for a lighter, flakier texture that adds crispy layers to your mini desserts.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond or orange to enhance the ricotta mixture, creating unique taste profiles that surprise your guests.
• Mix chopped almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts with chocolate chips for a crunchy, multi-textured garnish that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.
• Prepare pastry cups and filling separately up to two days in advance, storing them in airtight containers to simplify party preparation and reduce last-minute stress.
• Use gluten-free pie crust and low-fat ricotta for a lighter version that accommodates different dietary needs without compromising delicious flavor.

Serving Mini Cannoli Cups at Gatherings

• Sweet Dessert Platter: Create a beautiful display by arranging the mini cannoli cups alongside fresh berries, mint leaves, and a small scoop of vanilla gelato for an elegant Italian-inspired presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve these delightful mini cups with a steaming espresso or cappuccino, perfect for a mid-afternoon sweet treat that transports you straight to a charming Italian café.
• Festive Party Nibbles: Transform these mini cannoli cups into a crowd-pleasing appetizer by arranging them on a decorative tray, allowing guests to easily grab and enjoy these bite-sized delicacies during cocktail hour or celebrations.
• Seasonal Sprinkle Surprise: Customize the toppings based on the season – use crushed candy canes during winter, fresh strawberries in spring, or toasted coconut flakes in summer for a playful twist on the classic recipe.

Storage Tips to Keep Mini Cannoli Cups Crisp

• Tasty Storage Solutions: Smart Strategies for Mini Cannoli Cups
• Refrigerator Haven: Store unfilled pastry cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping their crispy texture intact. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Filling Freshness Window: Keep ricotta mixture sealed in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before serving. Always use clean utensils when handling to maintain optimal quality and prevent bacterial growth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble cups just before serving to maintain crisp shells and prevent soggy bottoms. Prepare components separately and combine right before your gathering for maximum deliciousness.
• Freezing Finesse: Freeze plain pastry cups in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and crisp in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes before filling to restore their golden crunch.

Crispy Mini Cannoli Cups Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sicilian cannoli get a modern twist with mini cannoli cups that pack authentic flavor into bite-sized treats. Crisp pastry shells cradle creamy ricotta filling, offering a delightful experience you’ll savor from first to last bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15 oz (425 g) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps turbinado sugar (raw sugar)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips or finely chopped pistachios
• 1 tsp finely grated orange or lemon zest
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Additional powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Unroll pie crusts and lavishly coat with turbinado sugar and ground cinnamon, pressing spices gently into the pastry for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Shaping Technique: Utilize a 2½-inch circular cutter to create uniform dough rounds, then meticulously press each circle into mini muffin tin cavities, ensuring seamless integration.
3. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 425°F and bake pastry cups until achieving a lustrous golden-brown appearance, approximately 10 minutes, then allow to rest in the tin for 15 minutes for structural stabilization.
4. Cooling Protocol: Transition pastry cups to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling while maintaining their delicate architectural integrity.
5. Filling Creation: Blend ricotta cheese, sugars, citrus zest, and vanilla extract, whipping until the mixture transforms into a silky, luxurious cream.
6. Filling Deployment: Refrigerate the prepared filling in a pastry bag, then pipe generously into cooled pastry cups with elegant precision.
7. Finishing Touches: Adorn the filled cups with chocolate chips or chopped pistachios, and conclude by dusting with a gossamer layer of powdered sugar for a sophisticated presentation.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Use a 2½-inch circular cookie cutter for uniform dough rounds, ensuring consistent cup sizes and professional presentation.
• Sugar Secret: Press turbinado sugar and cinnamon gently into pie crust to maximize flavor infusion and create a delightful caramelized texture.
• Cooling Technique: Allow pastry cups to rest in the muffin tin for 15 minutes after baking, preventing structural collapse and maintaining delicate shape.
• Filling Finesse: Refrigerate ricotta mixture before piping to enhance flavor melding and maintain optimal cream consistency for smooth, elegant filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg