Where quality baking meets great taste. With three locations and a staple at family get togethers you’ll want to see what all the cannoli bakery is about. Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Italian bakeries have been serving up cannoli forever. The crispy shell and creamy sweet filling are nearly irresistible. Often times, they come with mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios or dipped in chocolate. No matter what topping you pick, they’re a MAJOR treat. Why is there wine in cannoli shells? Cannoli dough is usually made with white wine, which might seem a little odd. It includes wine for the same reason some pie crusts will include vinegar or vodka.
The alcohol tenderizes the pastry and helps make it extra flaky. Cannoli filling is always made with ricotta and usually powdered sugar to sweeten it. Filling will usually include mascarpone and whipped cream for a lighter filling. You’ll sometimes find orange zest or nutmeg in there for extra flavor. Getting the consistency of the cannoli filling is important.
Place ricotta in a fine mesh strainer and set strainer over a larger bowl. Let sit in refrigerator for at least an hour, preferably 2. How much liquid drains out will depend on the quality of your ricotta. The higher the quality, the less liquid. Even if just a little strains out, it will help in the long run.
Another important step is letting the filling chill. We like to make our filling first and let it hang out in the refrigerator until we are ready to serve the cannoli. The longer it’s in there the better. Can I make cannoli ahead of time? Most fried treats, like churros, are best straight out of the fryer. Cannoli are a great exception to the rule though!
The shells can fried up to a day ahead of time. Let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. You can also make your filling ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wait to fill your cannoli until you are ready to serve them. How do I make the cannoli shells crispy?
Cold butter will help give your shells layers ensuring the shells are crispy and flaky! After making your dough let it chill until that butter is nice and cold again before rolling them out, at least 1 hour, but longer is better. If your oil is lower than that, the shells will take much longer to fry which will cause them to soak in more oil and making the shells softer and less crisp. Too hot and you risk burning the outside of the shells. Hitting that sweet spot will ensure crispy, flaky shells!
