Best 2 Amazing Low Fat Cannoli Recipes

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**Cannoli: A Sicilian Delight with a Healthier Twist**

Cannoli, a traditional Italian pastry originating from Sicily, is a beloved treat enjoyed worldwide. These crispy pastry shells, filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta filling, are often dusted with powdered sugar or garnished with candied fruit. However, for those seeking a healthier indulgence, this article presents a collection of low-fat cannoli recipes that offer a delightful balance of taste and nutrition.

These recipes utilize reduced-fat ricotta cheese, skim milk, and wholesome ingredients to create a delectable filling that is lower in fat and calories compared to traditional cannoli. Additionally, the pastry shells are baked instead of fried, resulting in a crispy yet healthier alternative. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, these recipes cater to both novice and experienced bakers, ensuring a successful and enjoyable culinary experience.

Dive into the delightful world of low-fat cannoli and savor the authentic flavors of Italy without compromising your health goals. From classic cannoli to variations such as chocolate-dipped cannoli and mini cannoli bites, this article provides a range of recipes to suit every taste and occasion. Indulge in the goodness of these delectable pastries while maintaining a balanced diet.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HOMEMADE CANNOLI



Homemade Cannoli image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 12 to 16 cannoli

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus for dusting
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup dry Marsala or white wine
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 1/2 cups ricotta
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus for dusting
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup shaved bittersweet chocolate (about 1 1/2 ounces)

Steps:

  • For the cannoli shells: Pulse the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt together in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until thoroughly combined. Add the egg yolk and Marsala and process until the dough forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and flatten into a disk. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
  • Fill a large, wide pot with 2 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F.
  • Meanwhile, lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough out into a thin circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out as many circles as possible with a 3 1/2- to 4-inch round cookie cutter, then gather the scraps, reroll, and cut out more (discard any remaining scraps).
  • Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Wrap a circle of dough around a cannoli tube. Lightly moisten an edge with water and press the edges together very firmly to seal (if not well-sealed, the cannoli shells will open while frying). Repeat with as many cannoli tubes as you have. Fry the tubes with the dough, turning once, until the shells are golden brown all over, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove the tubes from the oil and slip off the cannoli shells onto the paper towels. Let the tubes cool slightly, then repeat until all of the dough is fried, adjusting the heat as necessary to keep the oil at 350 degrees F. Cool the shells completely.
  • For the filling: Mix the ricotta, confectioners' sugar, orange zest and vanilla together in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the chocolate.
  • Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch tip with the ricotta mixture. Hold a cannoli shell in one hand; with the other, insert the pastry tip into the center of the shell and pipe out the filling. Turn the shell around and fill the other side. Repeat with the remaining shells and filling. Arrange on a platter and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve filled shells immediately; alternatively, store unfilled shells in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days and fill when ready to serve.

CANNOLI RECIPE (HOW TO MAKE CANNOLIS)



Cannoli Recipe (How to Make Cannolis) image

Cannoli Recipe Recipe Type : Dessert Cuisine: Italian Author: The Mediterranean Dish Prep time: 25 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 35 mins Serves: 24 pieces A foolproof cannoli recipe (shells and filling). Seriously dreamy, perfectly crisp shells filled with a ricotta and chocolate mixture. See the step-by-step tutorial with photos below the recipe!

Provided by The Mediterranean Dish

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups all-purpose flour, more as needed
pinch salt
3 tbsp sugar
4-5 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 eggs, beaten
3 tbsp Marsala wine
1 egg white, lightly beaten mixed with 1 tbsp of water to make egg wash
Oil for frying
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
2 oz dark chocolate, grated, more for dusting
12 oz ricotta cheese (I used fat-free ricotta cheese)
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 oz chopped candied fruit (I used candied orange slices)

Steps:

  • To prepare the pastry: sift the flour, salt, and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Using your hand, rub in the butter until you have a coarse mixture. Mix in the egg and Marsala wine. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead by hand until you have a smooth dough. (If the dough is too sticky, add a little bit of flour at a time and continue to knead until you are able to form a smooth ball.) Place the dough back in the bowl and refrigerate while you make the filling.
  • For the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the grated chocolate, fat-free ricotta cheese, milk, confectioners' sugar and the candied fruit. Mix with a hand mixer or fork until all is well combined. Set aside for now.
  • Take the pastry dough out of the fridge. On a clean, lightly-floured work surface, roll the pastry dough out until very thin (like 1/8' thin). Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter or a drinking glass, cut the dough into rounds. You should have between 18 and 24 rounds.
  • Dust 6 cannoli molds with flour and wrap each pastry circle loosely around a cannoli mold. Dampen the edges of the dough with the egg wash and press to seal the edges shut in the middle (make sure you press hard enough using a little of the egg wash so that the dough will not open when it's fried).
  • Fill a small cooking pot with oil about 1/3 of the way. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Deep fry until the cannoli pastry shells turn golden and crisp (this will be quick). Using tongs or large slotted spoon, remove from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towel. When pastry shells are cool enough to handle, twist the cannoli forms to release the shells.
  • Using the cannoli molds, repeat the process until you have fried all the cannoli.
  • When the cannoli shells are cold, pipe or spoon the filling into them. Dust with a generous amount of confectioner's sugar and a bit of the grated dark chocolate. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 174 calories, Sugar 6.8 g, Sodium 121.7 mg, Fat 9.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 18.2 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 3.7 g, Cholesterol 26.7 mg

Tips for Making the Best Low-Fat Cannoli:

  • Use low-fat ricotta cheese to reduce the fat and calorie content.
  • Add a little bit of cocoa powder or espresso powder to the ricotta filling for a richer flavor.
  • Use whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier option.
  • Brush the cannoli shells with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar before baking for a crispy and golden crust.
  • Fill the cannoli shells with the ricotta filling and top with chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or powdered sugar.

Conclusion:

Whether you're looking for a healthier version of your favorite Italian dessert or simply want to try something new, these low-fat cannoli are sure to please. With their crispy shells, creamy filling, and delicious chocolate chips, they're the perfect treat for any occasion.

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