Mini Cannoli Bites Recipe
Mini Cannoli Bites are a delightful, bite-sized dessert featuring flaky baked pie crust shells filled with a creamy, sweet ricotta and mascarpone filling, enhanced with vanilla and mini chocolate chips. Perfect for parties or a sweet snack, these easy-to-make treats combine the classic Italian flavors of cannoli in convenient mini portions.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Shells
- 1 package Premade Pie Crust
For the Filling
- 1 cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese (strained for thick texture)
- 1 cup Mascarpone Cheese
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup Mini Chocolate Chips (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure the pie crust shells will bake evenly to a golden color.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Unroll the premade pie crust and use a 2½-inch round cutter to cut out rounds. Press each round gently into the wells of an ungreased mini muffin tin, forming small shell shapes.
- Bake Shells: Place the mini muffin tin with crust rounds in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the shells turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow the mini shells to cool completely in the tin to hold their shape.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the strained whole milk ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the filling is creamy and smooth. Fold in mini chocolate chips if desired for added texture and flavor.
- Fill Shells: Transfer the filling to a piping bag, then carefully pipe the mixture into the cooled mini pie crust shells, filling them generously.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each filled shell with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips and a dusting of powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Straining the ricotta cheese overnight or using a fine mesh sieve helps achieve a thicker, creamier filling.
- Homemade pie crust can be used to elevate the flavor and texture.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a small spoon to fill the shells carefully.
- Store assembled mini cannoli bites in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness.
Keywords: Mini Cannoli Bites, Cannoli, Italian Dessert, Bite-sized desserts, Ricotta filling, Mascarpone cheese, Mini chocolate chips