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Home Dessert No-Bake

Cannoli Dip

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By: Diana Last updated on March 30, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Cannoli dip served in a small white bowl, topped with a strawberry and served with fresh strawberries on the side. And overlay text that reads "5 ingredient cannoli dip"

Cannoli are an amazing and delicious Italian dessert, but making them can be labor-intensive. Instead, you can make an easy, sweet, and creamy Cannoli Dip in about an hour. It’s the perfect sweet dessert dip for your next party.

Cannoli dip served in a small white bowl, topped with a strawberry and served with fresh strawberries on the side.


Making cannoli dip is so simple! This is the classic, creamy cannoli filling that you love, and instead of making and frying cannoli shells, we can use waffle cones or cookies to dip into it!

This recipe for cannoli dip is a smart shortcut that will save you time. This sweet dip tastes just as amazing as the classic cannoli dessert that you love. 

Overhead shot of cannoli dip served in a white bowl with crushed waffle cones

Cannoli Dip comes together without any cooking, and with just 5 ingredients. The tangy and creamy ricotta and mascarpone filling is perfectly sweetened and swirled with mini chocolate chips. Enjoy this sweet sharable at brunch, a football party, or anytime you’re sharing food with great people. 

I love dessert dips! Make Funfetti Cake Batter Dip next. 

Key Ingredients

Ingredients needed for making cannoli dip

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Ricotta Cheese: This tangy Italian cheese is found in both sweet and savory dishes. You will recognize the fine texture of ricotta in homemade cannoli, and it has the same effect in this dessert dip. Use whole milk ricotta for best results. 
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Another Italian cheese, most commonly enjoyed in Tiramisu, mascarpone is similar to cream cheese, but with more flavor and a bit of sweetness. 
  • Powdered Sugar and Vanilla Extract: These two give your Cannoli dip the perfect level of sweetness and the warm flavor you’d expect from a dessert dip. 
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: The best cannoli are the ones dipped in chocolate chips, and so we must add them to cannoli dip as well! 

Tip!

Be sure to drain any excess liquid from the Ricotta and Mascarpone cheeses before starting.

How to Make Cannoli Dip

Collage of four images showing how to make easy cannoli dip
  1. Mix: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta with mascarpone and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and beat until thick and creamy. Add in the vanilla extract and mix again. Finally, fold in ¾ of the mini chocolate chips. 
  2. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours. 
  3. Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. 

Cannoli dip can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-4 days before serving, or as leftovers. 

Dipping a waffle cone chip in cannoli dip

What to Serve With Cannoli Dip

  • The easiest way to dip into sweet cannoli dip is with broken-up waffle cones or sturdy pizzelle cookies.
  • You can also try serving this dip with any lightly flavored cookie such as Nilla Wafers, graham crackers, or even animal crackers!
  • Cannoli dip is delicious on strawberries or apple slices if you want to be a bit healthier.
  • Add a salty dipper like pretzel thins if you like as well!

Tip!

Serve cannoli dip with a variety of different dippers to keep things interesting.

Overhead shot of a bowl with cannoli dip with mini chocolate chips, broken up cone chips, and fresh strawberries.

FAQs

Do I have to use ricotta cheese in cannoli dip?

You might want to substitute something else for the ricotta in this recipe, but I’m telling you that you shouldn’t. Most traditional cannoli recipes are made with ricotta cheese, so if you leave this ingredient out of your cannoli dip, it isn’t going to taste like cannoli! Use full fat, fresh ricotta for best results and you will not be disappointed. If you have extra ricotta, be sure to try my Lemon Ricotta Pasta next!

How do I strain ricotta cheese?

If your ricotta seems to have a lot of excess moisture, it’s a good idea to strain it first.  It’s easy to do! Place a mesh strainer over a mixing bowl, and line the strainer with a piece of cheesecloth. Add the ricotta on top of the cloth, and press gently with a spatula to remove the excess liquid. 

What can I use instead of mascarpone?

If you cannot find mascarpone cheese, the next best thing is full-fat cream cheese. It’s not exactly the same, but you will get a similar texture from this swap. I prefer to use mascarpone in this recipe because the flavor of the dip is more authentic.

Does cannoli dip need to be refrigerated?

Yes, you should keep cannoli dip in the fridge. Refrigerate the dip after it’s made and until you are ready to serve.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Banana Pudding

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

Magic Bars (Seven Layer Bars)

Ambrosia Salad

All Dessert ➜

Everyone is going to love this easy-to-make and addicting Cannoli Dip! Make sure to pin it so you can make it ASAP.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
Cannoli dip served in a small white bowl, topped with a strawberry and served with fresh strawberries on the side.
5 from 10 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Cannoli Dip

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Chill time: 8 hours hrs
Total Time: 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe
Make an easy, sweet, and creamy Cannoli Dip in under an hour for your next party. It’s a delicious and classic Italian Dessert, but better.
8 servings
Make an easy, sweet, and creamy Cannoli Dip in under an hour for your next party. It’s a delicious and classic Italian Dessert, but better.

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Hand mixer
  • Plastic wrap

Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese drained/strained (that’s 2 cups)
  • 8 ounces full fat mascarpone cheese excess liquid drained (that’s 1 cup)
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips divided

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta with mascarpone and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, and beat until thick and creamy. Add in the vanilla extract and mix again.
  • Fold in ¾ of the choc chips. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to 48 hours.
  • Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips. Serve with broken waffle cones or cannoli chips and fresh strawberries.

Notes:

  • If your ricotta seems to have a lot of excess moisture, strain it first. Place a mesh strainer over a mixing bowl, and line the strainer with a piece of cheesecloth. Add the ricotta on top of the cloth, and press gently with a spatula to remove the excess liquid.
  • If you cannot find mascarpone cheese, the next best thing is full-fat cream cheese. It’s not exactly the same, but you will get a similar texture from this swap. I prefer to use mascarpone in this recipe because the flavor of the dip is more authentic.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 433kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 77mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 687IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 178mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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  1. Bet says

    Posted on 2/7/25 at 14:55

    5 stars
    I use cream cheese most of the time in place of mascarpone. I whip 8oz with 1/4 cup of heavy cream and a teaspoon of sugar.

    Reply
    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Posted on 2/10/25 at 14:07

      Thank you for the tip, Bet! Cream cheese is usually much less expensive than real mascarpone, so that’s a great option!

      Reply
  2. Robin Claire says

    Posted on 9/9/24 at 23:07

    5 stars
    This barely made it to the table! My bestie and my sweet daughter and I tested it and then “forgot “ to share it is that good! It is great with Nilla wafers but I prefer it with strawberries

    Reply
    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Posted on 9/10/24 at 14:58

      I’m so glad it was such a hit! Thank you so much for the great feedback.

      Reply
  3. Taylor says

    Posted on 6/20/22 at 13:59

    5 stars
    I am obsessed with this dip! So creamy, rich and the perfect amount of chocolate in every bite. Tastes just like a cannoli, but easier! Loved serving it with broken waffle cone pieces.

    Reply
  4. Allyssa says

    Posted on 6/20/22 at 10:23

    5 stars
    Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make cannoli dip recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again!

    Reply
  5. Agnes says

    Posted on 6/18/22 at 18:50

    5 stars
    Oh yum! This truly was so good as a fruit dip!

    Reply

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