If you’ve ever dreamed of enjoying the creamy, dreamy filling of your favorite Italian cannoli without the hassle of frying shells or rolling dough, then this Cannoli Dip Recipe is about to become your new obsession. It captures all the sweetness and richness of traditional cannoli filling in a luscious, scoopable dip that’s perfect for sharing with friends or sneaking a few spoonfuls when no one is looking. With a delightful blend of ricotta, mascarpone, and just the right hint of vanilla and chocolate chips, this dip brings the authentic flavors of cannoli to your table in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows six white bowls and small glass containers arranged on a white marbled surface, each with different ingredients. Starting from the top left, there is a bowl filled with creamy ricotta cheese, pale off-white with a soft texture. To the right, a bowl holds small, dark brown chocolate chips. Below the ricotta cheese, a glass bowl is filled with fine, white powdered sugar that looks fluffy. To the right of the powdered sugar, another glass bowl contains smooth, creamy mascarpone cheese with soft swirls. Below the powdered sugar, a small glass bowl is filled with green and brown pistachios, giving a rough texture. On the bottom right, a tiny glass container holds an amber-colored vanilla extract with a smooth surface. All the containers are shown from above with good lighting, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

You only need a handful of simple, quality ingredients to whip up this fantastic dip. Each component plays a key role: ricotta and mascarpone lend that silky texture and rich flavor, powdered sugar sweetens it perfectly, while vanilla ties all the flavors together. Mini chocolate chips add delightful bursts of chocolate goodness throughout the creamy base.

Ricotta cheese: Choose whole-milk ricotta for a smooth, creamy foundation that feels indulgent but light.
Powdered sugar: This ensures the dip has just the right sweetness and blends smoothly without graininess.
Mascarpone cheese: Adds a rich, buttery depth that elevates the texture to pure velvety bliss.
Vanilla extract: A splash brings warmth and enhances the natural creaminess of the cheeses.
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: These pockets of chocolate are essential for that classic cannoli crunch and flavor contrast.
Pistachios (shelled and chopped): Optional but highly recommended to garnish with a pop of color and a nutty crispness.
Cannoli shells (broken into pieces): For an authentic, crispy dipper that echoes the traditional treat.
Pizzelle cookies: Thin, crisp, and subtly sweet—perfect for dipping without overpowering the flavors.
Mini stroopwaffles: A fun twist offering a chewy, caramelized bite alongside the dip.
Ice cream cones (broken into pieces): Creative and crunchy, they add a playful touch to your dipping platter.
Nilla wafers: Classic and simple, their light sweetness is a perfect match to the creamy dip.

How to Make Cannoli Dip Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Cheeses and Sugar

Start by combining the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir them together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because it ensures the base of your Cannoli Dip Recipe is perfectly silky and evenly sweetened.

Step 2: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. The slow folding helps distribute the chocolate throughout the dip without breaking them up, so you get those delightful little bursts of chocolate in every bite.

Step 3: Chill and Garnish

Transfer the dip into a serving bowl and top it with extra mini chocolate chips and chopped pistachios if you’re using them. Cover and chill the dip in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up just enough for easy scooping.

Step 4: Prepare Dippers and Serve

Before serving your Cannoli Dip Recipe, break up your favorite dippers like cannoli shells, pizzelle cookies, stroopwaffles, ice cream cone pieces, and Nilla wafers. Arrange them beautifully around the bowl and get ready to impress your guests with a spread that’s both delicious and charmingly rustic.

How to Serve Cannoli Dip Recipe

A clear glass bowl holds a smooth, light beige batter forming the base layer, topped with a heaping pile of small, dark brown chocolate chips mostly gathered on one side of the batter. A pale gray silicone spatula rests on the left side of the bowl, slightly pushing into the batter. On the white marbled surface below, a small white bowl filled with more chocolate chips is visible, along with a few loose chocolate chips scattered around. A blue and white striped cloth is casually placed in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding garnishes like extra mini chocolate chips and finely chopped pistachios not only makes your Cannoli Dip Recipe look irresistible but also adds a mixture of textures—melty chocolate paired with the slight crunch of pistachios truly brings this dip to life.

Side Dishes

This dip pairs beautifully with a variety of crunchy cookies and shells. Classic cannoli shells broken into bite-sized pieces highlight the traditional roots, while pizzelle cookies and stroopwaffles introduce fun variations in flavor and texture. Nilla wafers and ice cream cone pieces also offer a sturdy, sweet vehicle for scooping every creamy bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, serve the Cannoli Dip Recipe in a pretty glass bowl surrounded by an assortment of colorful dippers on a wooden board. You can also spoon the dip into individual small cups topped with pistachios and chocolate chips for a more elegant approach. Try layering the dip with crushed cannoli shells in a parfait glass for a layered dessert experience that will wow everyone.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which might be rare!), store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining its fresh, creamy texture. Just give it a quick stir before serving to bring back the smooth consistency.

Freezing

While freezing isn’t ideal due to the creamy cheese base, if you must, place the Cannoli Dip Recipe in a tightly sealed container and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving, but expect a slightly different texture—some separation might occur, so stirring well upon thawing is key.

Reheating

This dip is best served chilled and isn’t intended to be heated. Warming it will cause it to lose its luscious texture and might make the cheese components separate. Stick to serving it cold for the perfect creamy indulgence every time.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat ricotta in this Cannoli Dip Recipe?

You can, but keep in mind that full-fat ricotta provides a creamier and richer dip. Low-fat versions may result in a slightly thinner texture and less indulgent flavor.

Is mascarpone cheese necessary for this dip?

Mascarpone really adds creaminess and depth, but if you can’t find it, you can substitute with cream cheese, although the flavor will be a bit tangier and less traditional.

How long should I chill the dip before serving?

Chilling for at least 30 minutes is ideal to let the flavors meld and the dip firm up just enough for easy scooping, but a couple of hours will only make it taste better.

Can I make this Cannoli Dip Recipe vegan?

Since this dip relies heavily on cheeses, making it vegan would require specialty dairy-free ricotta and mascarpone substitutes, which can be tricky but possible with certain plant-based cheeses. Adjust sweetness and texture accordingly.

What are the best dippers for serving?

Traditional cannoli shell pieces are perfect, but also try pizzelle cookies, stroopwaffles, broken ice cream cones, and Nilla wafers for a delightful range of textures and flavors to scoop up every bite.

Final Thoughts

If you want an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that captures the joyful spirit of classic Italian cannoli without any fuss, this Cannoli Dip Recipe is an absolute must-try. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a quick sweet treat, or craving a nostalgic flavor upgrade, this dip hits every note just right. Go ahead, whip it up and share the love — your friends and family will be asking for this recipe again and again!

Cannoli Dip Recipe