**Cannoli: A Sicilian Delight in Three Tempting Variations**
Cannoli, a beloved Sicilian pastry, captivates taste buds with its crispy shell and creamy, delectable filling. Originating in the city of Palermo, these tube-shaped treats have become iconic symbols of Sicilian culinary heritage. Traditionally filled with a sweet, ricotta-based mixture, cannoli offer a symphony of flavors and textures that have won hearts worldwide.
Our culinary journey takes you through three enticing variations of this classic dessert. From the traditional ricotta filling to a rich chocolate filling and a delightful pistachio filling, each recipe promises a unique taste experience. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, we'll guide you in crafting these delectable treats, ensuring that every bite transports you to the heart of Sicily.
**1. Classic Cannoli:** Embark on a culinary voyage to Sicily with this traditional cannoli recipe. We'll show you how to make the crispy cannoli shells from scratch, using a simple dough that yields the perfect golden-brown color. The ricotta filling, a harmonious blend of sweetness and tang, is made with fresh ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and candied fruit.
**2. Chocolate Cannoli:** Indulge in a chocolate lover's paradise with this decadent chocolate cannoli recipe. The filling is a symphony of rich, velvety chocolate, complemented by a hint of espresso powder for an extra depth of flavor. The combination of the crispy shell and the smooth, chocolatey filling creates a taste sensation that will leave you craving more.
**3. Pistachio Cannoli:** Discover the unique charm of Sicilian pistachio with this vibrant pistachio cannoli recipe. The filling is a delightful symphony of ground pistachios, sugar, ricotta cheese, and a touch of almond extract. Its vibrant green color and nutty flavor make it a visually stunning and taste-tempting treat.
Join us on this culinary adventure as we explore the world of cannoli, crafting three exquisite variations that showcase the versatility and allure of this Sicilian delicacy.
CANNOLI RECIPE (HOW TO MAKE CANNOLIS)
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
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
HOMEMADE CANNOLI
I love a cup of seriously strong coffee and a cannoli from an Italian bakery on Bleeker Street in Manhattan. When I am making these at home, I am holding them up to the standard of those memories. The dessert really comes together in two parts: make the shell, thin and crispy and then make a filling with serious flavor.
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield 24 cannoli
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- For the shell dough: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar and salt. Work the butter pieces into the flour with your fingers until the mixture becomes coarse and sandy. Add the egg yolk and the white wine and mix until it becomes a smooth dough. Spread a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface and place the dough in the center. Wrap the plastic loosely around it and press the dough to fill the gap. Flattening the dough will mean less rolling later. Let it rest in the fridge for a few minutes while you make the filling.
- For the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk the ricotta until smooth. Sift in the powdered sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Mix to blend. In a separate bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat the heavy cream until fairly stiff. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the cream into the ricotta mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Lightly zest the exterior of the lemon and stir it into the ricotta. Refrigerate for a half hour to an hour.
- To roll and fry the shells: In a medium pot with a heavy bottom, heat the canola oil to 360 degrees F. Meanwhile, sift an even layer of flour on a flat surface. Flour a rolling pin. Roll the dough until it is very thin (about 1/8-inch thick). Cut the dough into fourths and work in small batches. Use any glass or small bowl that has a 3-to-4-inch diameter. Cut rounds, tracing around each one to assure the dough has been fully cut. You should have about 24 circles. Wrap each circle around a cannoli mold. Use a little of the egg wash on the edge of each round to seal it shut and to assure it won't slide or fall off the mold before pressing it closed over the mold. Flare the edges out slightly from the mold. Flaring will allow the oil to penetrate each cannoli shell as they fry. Use a pair of tongs to hold the edge of the mold as you submerge and fry the shell in the oil until crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil, and holding the mold in one had with your tongs, gently grip the shell in your other hand with a kitchen towel and carefully slide it off the mold. Set aside to cool. Repeat with all of the circles.
- To fill the cannolis: Just before serving, use a pastry bag without a tip to pipe the ricotta into the cannoli molds. Fill the cannoli shells from both ends so the cream runs through the whole shell. Dust with powdered sugar. Powdered sugar gives that little extra sweetness and added texture to the exterior. It also makes me feel like I have a professional bakery touch in my own home. Serve immediately.
CANNOLI
Ana and Lydia's cannoli, recipe invented on July 31st, 2005. I spent a lot of time looking for a good recipe for cannoli shells and filling. Since no two were alike, and since instructions were a bit sketchy, I worked with a friend to come up with a good recipe, including some tips that we came up with along the way. Special equipment is needed such as cannoli tubes, a pasta machine and a pastry bag to help make these cannoli come out just like the ones at Italian restaurants and bakeries. Start with 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar, and then add more to taste.
Provided by Lydia Nacawa
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 3h45m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Cut in the shortening until it is in pieces no larger than peas. Make a well in the center, and pour in the egg, egg yolk, Marsala wine, vinegar and water. Mix with a fork until the dough becomes stiff, then finish it by hand, kneading on a clean surface. Add a bit more water if needed to incorporate all of the dry ingredients. Knead for about 10 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
- Divide the cannoli dough into thirds, and flatten each one just enough to get through the pasta machine. Roll the dough through successively thinner settings until you have reached the thinnest setting. Dust lightly with flour if necessary. Place the sheet of dough on a lightly floured surface. Using a form or large glass or bowl, cut out 4 to 5 inch circles. Dust the circles with a light coating of flour. This will help you later in removing the shells from the tubes. Roll dough around cannoli tubes, sealing the edge with a bit of egg white.
- Heat the oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) in a deep-fryer or deep heavy skillet. Fry shells on the tubes a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. Use tongs to turn as needed. Carefully remove using the tongs, and place on a cooling rack set over paper towels. Cool just long enough that you can handle the tubes, then carefully twist the tube to remove the shell. Using a tea towel may help you get a better grip. Wash or wipe off the tubes, and use them for more shells. Cooled shells can be placed in an airtight container and kept for up to 2 months. You should only fill them immediately or up to 1 hours before serving.
- To make the filling, stir together the ricotta cheese and confectioners' sugar using a spoon. Fold in lemon zest and chocolate. Use a pastry bag to pipe into shells, filling from the center to one end, then doing the same from the other side. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar and grated chocolate for garnish when serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 401.9 calories, Carbohydrate 17.6 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 34.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 42.5 mg, Sugar 6.1 g
CANNOLI III
When in a hurry I buy my cannoli shells from an Italian Deli. I drain my ricotta in a strainer covered with cheese cloth so the filling holds up longer. Very tasty and you can add more chocolate chips or less depending on your preference.
Provided by Lesa Caruso
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Blend in the shortening and egg white. Add the red wine one tablespoon at a time until the mixture forms a ball. Knead the dough enough to bring it together. Cover and let rest for half an hour.
- Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Divide dough into 2 parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 4 inch long ovals. Place a cannoli tube onto the oval lengthwise and roll up with edges overlapping; seal with a dab of egg white.
- Fry cannoli shells 2 or 3 at a time in the hot oil. When golden brown, remove from the oil to drain on paper towels. Remove tubes.
- To make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and confectioners' sugar. Fold in the vanilla, chocolate chips and candied orange peel. Chill for at least half an hour before filling shells. Drain off any excess liquid. Fill cooled shells and smooth off the filling at the edges. Keep refrigerated until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 371.7 calories, Carbohydrate 34.8 g, Cholesterol 17.6 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 9.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 271.7 mg, Sugar 11.8 g
Tips:
- Choose the right ricotta. For the best results, use whole milk ricotta that is fresh and well-drained. Avoid ricotta that is grainy or watery.
- Make the cannoli shells ahead of time. Cannoli shells can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This will save you time on the day you're assembling the cannoli.
- Don't overfill the cannoli shells. When filling the cannoli shells, be careful not to overfill them. This will prevent the filling from oozing out and making a mess.
- Chill the cannoli before serving. For the best flavor and texture, chill the cannoli for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help the filling to set and firm up.
- Garnish the cannoli with your favorite toppings. Before serving, garnish the cannoli with your favorite toppings, such as powdered sugar, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.
Conclusion:
Cannoli are a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed in many different ways. With a variety of fillings and toppings to choose from, there's sure to be a cannoli that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give one of these cannoli recipes a try.
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