Cannoli Bites Recipe

Introduction

Cannoli Bites are a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, made easy with premade pie crust and a creamy ricotta filling. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or a sweet snack any time of day.

Ingredients

• 1 premade pie crust
• 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (strained)
• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips; plus more for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Unroll the room temperature pie crust onto a lightly floured surface or cutting board. Use a 2 ½ inch round biscuit cutter or a cup to cut out 12 rounds of pie crust. Place the rounds in an ungreased mini muffin tin and press the dough to fit the pan with your fingers.
2. Step 2: Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pie cups are a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the strained ricotta, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and mini chocolate chips. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
4. Step 4: Spoon the ricotta filling into the cooled pie cups. For a neater presentation, place the filling in a resealable bag and cut a corner off or use a piping bag with a star tip. Fill each cup, then sprinkle additional mini chocolate chips on top and dust with powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Strain the ricotta cheese overnight in a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth for a thicker, creamier filling.
• Try adding a splash of orange or lemon zest to the filling for a citrusy twist.
• Use mini white chocolate chips or chopped pistachios as alternative toppings.

Storage

Store the Cannoli Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best texture, fill the pie cups with the ricotta mixture just before serving to prevent the crust from becoming soggy. Reheat the empty pie cups briefly if desired, then add the filling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the pie crust cups ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the pie crust cups in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days before filling.

What can I use if I don’t have mascarpone cheese?

You can substitute mascarpone with an equal amount of cream cheese for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Cannoli Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 53 reviews

These delightful Cannoli Bites transform classic cannoli flavors into bite-sized treats using a premade pie crust filled with a creamy ricotta and mascarpone mixture studded with mini chocolate chips. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or a sweet party snack, they are easy to prepare and visually appealing.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 12 cannoli bites 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 premade pie crust

Filling

• 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (strained)
• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Unroll the room temperature pie crust onto a lightly floured surface or cutting board. Using a 2 ½ inch round biscuit cutter, cookie cutter, or cup, cut out 12 rounds of pie crust. Place these rounds into an ungreased mini muffin tin, then press the dough with your fingers to fit the shape of the pan and form little cups.
2. Bake Pie Cups: Bake the dough cups in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they turn a light golden brown. Once baked, remove from oven and allow the pie cups to cool completely for about 15 minutes. This ensures the crusts stay crisp and intact when filled.
3. Make the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the strained whole milk ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Fill the Cups: Carefully spoon or pipe the ricotta filling into each cooled pie cup. For a polished look, transfer the filling to a ziplock or pastry bag, cut a small corner or use a star tip, and pipe the filling evenly into each cup. Garnish the tops with extra mini chocolate chips and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a finishing touch.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the cannoli bites immediately or refrigerate briefly before serving. These bite-sized desserts make a perfect sweet ending to any meal or a delightful treat at parties.

Notes

• Ensure the ricotta cheese is well strained to avoid watery filling and maintain a creamy texture.
• You can prepare the pie cups in advance and fill them just before serving to keep the crusts crisp.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pistachios on top along with the chocolate chips.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, silicone molds or other small baking dishes can be used to shape the cups.

Keywords: cannoli bites, ricotta dessert, mini cannoli, Italian dessert, easy dessert bites, party dessert