If youβre in the mood for a sweet treat thatβs both indulgent and easy to make, these Almond Chocolate Chip Cannoli are just what you need. Packed with creamy ricotta, crunchy almonds, and delightful chocolate chips, this dessert will quickly become a favorite in your home.
Ricotta cheese is the creamy base of the filling, providing a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Powdered sugar sweetens the filling without making it grainy. Almond extract adds a subtle nutty aroma that complements the chopped almonds perfectly. Mini chocolate chips give bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout. Chopped almonds add a delightful crunch, enhancing the texture. Vanilla extract deepens the flavor, making the filling more aromatic. Heavy cream is whipped to add lightness and a fluffy texture to the filling. The cannoli shells are the crispy vessels that hold all this deliciousness together. Finally, mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds are used for garnish, adding a decorative and tasty touch.
These cannoli pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup. For a more sophisticated presentation, serve them with a glass of almond liqueur or a fresh espresso.
Start by grabbing a medium-sized bowl and adding the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Mix these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth. You want all the flavors to blend seamlessly, so don't rush this step.
Next, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and chopped almonds. This will distribute the chocolate and nuts evenly throughout the filling, ensuring you get a bit of each in every bite.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. If you're new to whipping cream, this just means that when you lift your whisk out of the cream, it should hold its shape but still have a soft tip that folds over. Gently fold this whipped cream into the ricotta mixture. This will lighten the filling, giving it a lovely, airy texture.
Once your filling is ready, pop it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the flavors meld and makes the filling easier to pipe into the shells.
After chilling, fill a piping bag with your ricotta mixture. If you don't have a piping bag, a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off works just fine. Pipe the filling into each end of the cannoli shells until theyβre full.
For the finishing touch, sprinkle mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds over the filled shells. This not only looks pretty but adds extra flavor and texture.
Serve these immediately to enjoy the perfect combination of crisp shell and creamy filling.