Creamy Cannoli Dip
Creamy cannoli dip comes together in just 10 minutes and serves 8. Made with cream cheese, ricotta, powdered sugar, and mini chocolate chips, this no bake dip captures all the flavors of a classic Italian cannoli without the fuss of frying and stuffing shells. Serve it with waffle cone pieces or fresh fruit for parties, holidays, or dessert tables. It even doubles as a sweet brunch spread for waffles.
Holy cannoli, this is good! Cannolis are one of my all time favorite Italian desserts, but rolling and frying those little shells is a project I do not have time for.
So I took everything I love about the filling and turned it into a dip you can make in 10 minutes flat. My husband walked through the kitchen, took one taste, and asked why I do not make this every single week!
This is the lazy genius version of a cannoli, and it satisfies the same cravings as my cannoli cheese ball without any of the work. If you love a creamy dessert dip, it lives in the same happy family as my chocolate chip dip and my Dunkaroo dip.
Whip it up, chill it for 15 minutes, set out a pile of waffle cone pieces and strawberries, and watch it disappear.
More Creamy Dessert Dips
- Brownie Batter Dip – Rich, fudgy, no eggs
- Banana Cream Pie Dip – Vanilla wafers, fresh banana
- Cherry Garcia Dip – Cherry and chocolate chunks
- Oreo Cheesecake Dip – Crushed cookies, cheesecake base
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Ingredient Notes
Ricotta Cheese – Whole milk ricotta is the thickest and creamiest, so buy the good stuff here. Strain it well before mixing or your dip turns watery. Skim or part skim will work but you will need extra powdered sugar to firm it up.
Cream Cheese – This is what thickens the dip and gives it that scoopable texture. If you want a more authentic Italian flavor, swap in mascarpone instead. It has a softer, subtler taste a lot of people love even more. Be sure to bring it room temperature so it mixes without leaving clumps.
Vanilla Extract – This is a must have! I like to use real vanilla extract since there are only a few ingredients in the dip. Use a vanilla bean paste if you have it. The flavor is more intenst.
Orange Extract – This is the secret to that classic cannoli flavor. A little goes a long way. No orange extract? A bit of fresh orange zest works beautifully.
Mini Chocolate Chips – Minis fold in evenly and give you chocolate in every bite. Regular chips work but sink to the bottom. Toasted chopped pistachios are a fun add in too.
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How To Make Cannoli Dip
- Strain the ricotta using cheesecloth, or set it in a bowl and press out the moisture with paper towels. This step makes or breaks the texture.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, strained ricotta, vanilla extract, and orange extract. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fully combined.
- Gently fold in half the mini chocolate chips by hand. Spoon into a serving dish and refrigerate at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Top with the remaining chocolate chips and serve with waffle cone pieces, Pizzelle cookies, or fresh fruit.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Reheating
Make Ahead: This dip actually firms up nicely in the fridge, so make it up to a day in advance and give it a stir before serving.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled until serving since it is all dairy.
If It Separates: Give it a good stir to bring everything back together and smooth it out. Garnish with more mini chips on top to make it look pretty again.
Don’t Freeze: The cheeses turn grainy and lose their creamy texture after thawing, so this one is best made fresh.
Variations
Boozy Cannoli: Stir in a splash of Marsala wine or amaretto for a grown up version.
Extra Crunch: Fold in chopped toasted pistachios or sprinkle them on top before serving.
Chocolate Lovers: Swap the orange extract for almond extract and double the mini chocolate chips.
Brunch Spread: Skip the dippers and spread it on warm Belgian waffles, then top with fresh berries.
Different Citrus: Use fresh orange zest or a touch of lemon extract in place of orange extract for a brighter flavor.
Sweet Dips for Every Occasion
- Hot Cocoa Dip – Chocolatey, cozy, winter treat
- Caramel Apple Dip – Fall flavor, fresh apples
- Fluffy Pumpkin Dip – Spiced, light, holiday ready
- Margarita Dip – Lime and tequila, summery
Best Dippers for Cannoli Dip
The dip is the easy part. The right dippers are what make people come back for seconds.
- Waffle cone pieces are my top pick, especially dipped in chocolate first. They taste closest to a real cannoli shell.
- Pizzelle cookies bring that classic Italian flavor and a satisfying crisp.
- Broken cannoli shells are the obvious move if you can find them at the store or bakery.
- Cookies like shortbread, chocolate chip, or cinnamon graham crackers all play well with the creamy filling.
- Fresh fruit like strawberries and apple slices balances the sweetness and keeps things a little lighter.
What Does a Cannoli Taste Like?
A traditional cannoli has three things going on. The shell is a light, flaky fried pastry tube with a hint of cinnamon, often dipped in chocolate.
The filling is a rich, sweet pastry cream made from ricotta with a touch of orange. Then the ends get dusted in mini chocolate chips or toasted pistachios.
This dip combines all the flavors of that filling into one creamy bowl, and the right dippers give you the crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally ricotta cheese. I add cream cheese to thicken it, but you can use mascarpone instead for a more authentic, subtle flavor.
Too much moisture in the ricotta. Strain it well with cheesecloth, use whole milk ricotta, and add extra powdered sugar to absorb any excess.
Yes! It actually firms up nicely in the fridge. Make it up to a day ahead and stir before serving.
I would not. The cheeses get grainy and the texture turns out all wrong after thawing.
Waffle cone pieces dipped in chocolate are my favorite. Pizzelle cookies, broken cannoli shells, shortbread, cinnamon graham crackers, and strawberries all work great.
Up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use whole milk ricotta and buy the good stuff. It makes a real difference.
- Strain the ricotta well. This is the number one fix for runny dip.
- Use an electric mixer. Your arms will thank you.
- Add orange zest or a splash of orange juice for more orange flavor.
- Fold the chocolate chips in by hand so they do not break up.
- Sprinkle chopped toasted pistachios on top for crunch and color.
- Chill at least 15 minutes so the dip sets up before serving.
This cannoli dip recipe is creamy, sweet, and ridiculously simple to throw together. Make it for your next get together and watch everyone crowd around the bowl!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Cannoli Dip recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese strained
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar sifted
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips plus more for serving
Instructions
- Strain ricotta cheese. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta cheese and extracts until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips by hand.
- Spoon into a serving dish and refrigerate at least 15 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Use whole milk ricotta and buy the good stuff. It makes a real difference.
- Strain the ricotta well. This is the number one fix for runny dip.
- Use an electric mixer. Your arms will thank you.
- Add orange zest or a splash of orange juice for more orange flavor.
- Fold the chocolate chips in by hand so they do not break up.
- Sprinkle chopped toasted pistachios on top for crunch and color.
- Chill at least 15 minutes so the dip sets up before serving.
Nutrition
{Originally published 08/11/20 – photos and recipe notes updated 06/02/26}
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I had this at a girlfriends house and I am HOOKED! Making it for a pot luck this weekend!
had this at a girlfriends house and I am HOOKED! Making it for a pot luck this weekend!
So delicious, simple and easy to make! Thanks for a yummy recipe!
Wow, this is so delicious, easy to make and tastes just like cannoli filling!
Needed a light dip for after a wine tasting last night… this was the perfect closer to a great evening! The dip was so creamy and just so good….. LOVED it!
I miss getting cannolis from my deli so when I saw this recipe I tried it. No way am I stuffing cannoli shells. Oh it tastes just like the ones I got from the deli. Now I can satisfy my cannoli craving at home.