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Apple Cannoli Pastry Recipe
Ravi Sharma

Apple Cannoli Pastry

An Apple Cannoli is a delightful Italian pastry featuring a crisp, fried shell filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta and spiced apple mixture.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cool Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10 Cannoli
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 225

Ingredients
  

For the Apple Filling:
  • 2 medium apples
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon water
For the Cannoli Filling:
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese drained
  • 4 oz 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 10 store-bought cannoli shells
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Optional: mini chocolate chips for ends

Method
 

Step 1: Cook the Apples
  1. In a Tiny saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water. Stir to combine. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and the mixture is fragrant. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
    2 medium apples, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, A pinch of nutmeg, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    Cooking the Apple Filling Step
Step 2: Make the Cream Filling
  1. While the apples cool, make the cannoli cream. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer or a whisk to beat the ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until it's smooth and creamy.
    1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 4 oz 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Making the Cannoli Cream Step
Step 3: Combine
  1. Once the apple mixture is completely cool, fold it gently into the cream filling. Don't overmix; a few streaks are okay.
    Combining the Fillings Together Step
Step 4: Fill the Shells
  1. Spoon the apple-cannoli filling into a piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner snipped off. Gently pipe the filling into one end of a cannoli shell until it almost reaches the middle, then pipe into the other end. Repeat with all shells.
    10 store-bought cannoli shells
    Piping the Filling Step
Step 5: Serve
  1. Dust the filled cannoli with a generous shower of powdered sugar right before serving. For an extra treat, dip the ends in mini chocolate chips.
    Powdered sugar, Optional: mini chocolate chips for ends
    Dusting and Serving Step

Notes

  • For the best texture and to prevent sogginess, only fill the cannoli shells right before you are ready to serve them.
  • If you have leftover filling, it makes an incredible dip for graham crackers or a spread for toast!