Description
Cannoli Cream Puffs combine the light and airy texture of choux pastry with the rich, sweet ricotta-based filling of traditional Italian cannoli. A crispy shell encases a creamy, delicately spiced center, perfect for any festive or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (drained)
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios or hazelnuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Optional: additional mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium saucepan, combine water and butter. Heat over medium until butter melts, then bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in flour, salt, and sugar. Mix vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the pan.
- Cool the mixture for 5 minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
- Pipe or spoon small mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if desired.
- Cut a slit in each puff and fill with the cannoli cream using a piping bag.
- Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with chocolate chips or nuts if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Notes
- Ensure the ricotta is well-drained to avoid a runny filling.
- Do not open the oven door during baking, or the puffs may collapse.
- Choux pastry can be made ahead and frozen unfilled.
- Feel free to add citrus zest for a fresh twist in the filling.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cream puff
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: cannoli, cream puffs, choux pastry, Italian dessert, ricotta filling, mascarpone, holiday dessert, festive treat