Transform your dessert experience with these easy cannoli cups. This recipe is a fun twist on the traditional cannoli, featuring crispy wonton wrappers and a creamy, flavorful filling. Perfect for any occasion, these bite-sized treats are sure to impress your guests with their delightful taste and presentation.
Photos of Easy Cannoli Cups Recipe
If you don't typically have wonton wrappers or ricotta cheese in your home, you'll need to pick these up at the supermarket. Wonton wrappers can usually be found in the refrigerated or frozen section, while ricotta cheese is commonly located in the dairy aisle. Additionally, mini chocolate chips may not be a pantry staple for everyone, so make sure to grab a bag from the baking section.
Ingredients for Easy Cannoli Cups Recipe
wonton wrappers: Thin sheets of dough often used in Asian cuisine, perfect for creating crispy cups for the cannoli filling.
ricotta cheese: A creamy, mild cheese that forms the base of the filling, providing a smooth texture and rich flavor.
cornstarch: A thickening agent used to give the filling its desired consistency.
whole milk: Adds creaminess and richness to the filling mixture.
sugar: Sweetens the filling, balancing the flavors.
almond extract: Adds a hint of nutty flavor to the filling, enhancing its taste.
vanilla extract: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor to the filling.
cinnamon: Adds a subtle spice that complements the other flavors in the filling.
mini chocolate chips: Small chocolate pieces sprinkled on top of the filled cups for an extra touch of sweetness.
sugar: Used to dust the finished cannoli cups, adding a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
One reader, Lanette Boyd says:
This easy cannoli cups recipe is a game-changer! The wonton wrappers create the perfect crispy shell, and the creamy filling is absolutely delicious. The mini chocolate chips add a delightful touch. Perfect for parties or a sweet treat at home. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Cannoli Cups
How to whisk milk and cornstarch: Explanation on how to combine milk and cornstarch smoothly to avoid lumps. How to heat and stir mixture: Explanation on how to heat the milk mixture on medium-low and stir constantly to achieve a thick and smooth consistency. How to preheat oven: Explanation on setting the oven to the correct temperature before baking. How to press wonton wrappers into baking cups: Explanation on how to properly press wonton wrappers into a mini baking cup pan to form cups without the corners folding in. How to bake wonton cups: Explanation on baking the wonton wrappers until they are golden brown. How to use a pastry bag: Explanation on how to fill and use a pastry bag to pipe the mixture into the wonton cups. How to dust with powdered sugar: Explanation on how to sprinkle powdered sugar evenly over the filled wonton cups.
How To Make Easy Cannoli Cups
Our cannoli cups recipe is easy to follow! You can now enjoy the classic Italian dessert served in wonton cups, and topped with chocolate chips!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 16ozwonton wrappers,1 package
- 15ozricotta cheese,1 container
- ¼cupcornstarch
- 1⅓cupswhole milk
- ½cupssugar,powdered
- ½tspalmond extract
- ½tspvanilla extract
- ¼tspcinnamon,optional
- 2cupsmini chocolate chips,semi-sweet
- sugar,powdered, for dusting
Instructions
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In a bowl, slowly whisk 1 cup of the milk into the cornstarch until smooth. Let sit for about 20 minutes.
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Transfer mixture into a saucepan, and then add in the remaining milk and sugar. Heat on medium-low, stirring constantly for about 7 to 10 minutes until it is very thick and smooth. Remove from heat.
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Stir in the almond and vanilla extracts. Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the filling to avoid “skin”, and let cool until the mixture reaches room temperature.
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Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then press 30 to 35 wonton wrappers into a mini baking cup pan to form the “cups.” Be sure that the corners do not fold in after the pan sits for a minute.
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Bake the cups for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the wrappers are golden brown. Remove and let cool.
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After the milk mixture has reached room temperature, whisk in the ricotta and cinnamon until smooth.
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Use a pastry bag to pipe the mixture into the baked wonton cups, or use a spoon to scoop it in. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, then dust with powdered sugar.
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Refrigerate, or serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
To quickly make these, let the milk mixture cool in a shallow pan instead of the saucepan. Place it on a cool countertop and the mixture will ready in about 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Calories: 146.09kcal
- Fat: 5.06g
- Saturated Fat: 3.07g
- Trans Fat: 0.02g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.54g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.14g
- Carbohydrates: 21.41g
- Fiber: 0.60g
- Sugar: 11.99g
- Protein: 3.55g
- Cholesterol: 10.21mg
- Sodium: 97.17mg
- Calcium: 56.85mg
- Potassium: 36.01mg
- Iron: 0.65mg
- Vitamin A: 19.38µg
- Vitamin C: 0.08mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Cannoli Cups
To achieve a perfectly smooth filling for your cannoli cups, ensure that you whisk the cornstarch and milk mixture thoroughly before heating. This will help prevent any lumps from forming. Additionally, when heating the mixture, keep the heat on medium-low and stir constantly to avoid scorching the milk. This gentle and consistent stirring will result in a velvety texture that complements the crispy wonton wrappers beautifully.
Time-Saving Tips for Easy Cannoli Cups Recipe
Prepare the filling ahead: Make the ricotta mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge to save time on the day of serving.
Use pre-made wonton cups: Purchase pre-made wonton cups from the store to skip the baking step entirely.
Efficient mixing: Use a stand mixer to quickly combine the ricotta and cinnamon for a smooth filling.
Quick cooling: Place the milk mixture in a shallow dish and refrigerate to speed up the cooling process.
Organize ingredients: Lay out all ingredients and tools before starting to streamline the process.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Cannoli Cups Recipe
wonton wrappers - Substitute with phyllo dough: Phyllo dough can be baked into crispy cups similar to wonton wrappers and provides a similar texture.
ricotta cheese - Substitute with mascarpone cheese: Mascarpone cheese has a creamy texture and mild flavor that works well in cannoli filling.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder acts as a thickening agent similar to cornstarch and can be used in the same quantity.
whole milk - Substitute with heavy cream: Heavy cream will provide a richer texture and flavor to the filling.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can be used to sweeten the filling, though it will add a slightly different flavor profile.
almond extract - Substitute with amaretto: Amaretto provides a similar almond flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
vanilla extract - Substitute with vanilla bean paste: Vanilla bean paste offers a more intense vanilla flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, spicy flavor that complements the other ingredients well.
mini chocolate chips - Substitute with chopped dark chocolate: Chopped dark chocolate can be used in place of mini chocolate chips and will provide a similar texture and flavor.
sugar - Substitute with powdered sugar: Powdered sugar can be used for dusting the finished cannoli cups, providing a fine, sweet coating.
Best Way to Present Easy Cannoli Cups
Use elegant serving trays: Arrange the wonton wrappers on a sleek, white porcelain tray to highlight their golden-brown color and crisp texture.
Pipe filling with precision: Use a fine-tipped pastry bag to pipe the ricotta mixture into the wonton cups, ensuring each cup has a uniform, smooth swirl of filling.
Garnish with finesse: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips delicately over the filling, ensuring an even distribution that adds both texture and visual appeal.
Dust with powdered sugar: Lightly dust the tops of the filled cups with powdered sugar using a fine mesh sieve, creating a delicate, snowy effect.
Add a touch of color: Place a small, fresh mint leaf or a tiny edible flower on top of each cannoli cup to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Serve on a mirrored platter: Present the tray on a mirrored platter to reflect the beauty of the cannoli cups and enhance the overall visual impact.
Create a symmetrical arrangement: Arrange the cannoli cups in a symmetrical pattern, such as a circle or grid, to create a visually pleasing and organized presentation.
Use ambient lighting: Serve the dish under soft, ambient lighting to enhance the golden hues of the wonton wrappers and the creamy texture of the ricotta filling.
Incorporate height: Use a tiered serving stand to add height to the presentation, making the cannoli cups the centerpiece of the table.
Provide tasting utensils: Place small, elegant tasting forks or spoons next to each cannoli cup to encourage guests to savor each bite with ease.
Essential Tools for Making Cannoli Cups
Mixing bowl: Use this to whisk the milk and cornstarch together until smooth.
Whisk: Essential for combining the milk and cornstarch mixture smoothly.
Saucepan: Needed to heat the milk, cornstarch, and sugar mixture until it thickens.
Stirring spoon: Useful for stirring the mixture constantly while it heats.
Plastic wrap: Place this on the surface of the filling to prevent a skin from forming.
Mini baking cup pan: Use this to form the wonton wrappers into cups.
Oven: Preheat and bake the wonton wrappers until they are golden brown.
Pastry bag: Ideal for piping the ricotta mixture into the baked wonton cups.
Spoon: Alternatively, use this to scoop the filling into the wonton cups.
Cooling rack: Let the baked wonton cups cool on this after removing them from the oven.
Measuring cups: Measure out the milk, sugar, and other ingredients accurately.
Measuring spoons: Use these for precise measurements of the extracts and cinnamon.
Refrigerator: Store the filled cannoli cups if not serving immediately.
Sifter: Dust the finished cannoli cups with powdered sugar for a final touch.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Cannoli Cups
To store the cannoli cups, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The longer they sit, the softer the cups will become, so it's best to enjoy them within a day or two for optimal texture.
If you want to freeze the cannoli cups, it's best to freeze the cups and filling separately:
- For the cups, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store for up to 1 month.
- For the filling, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw the filling in the refrigerator overnight before using.
When ready to serve, thaw the cups at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. If the cups have become slightly soft, you can crisp them up in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.
Fill the thawed cups with the thawed ricotta mixture using a pastry bag or spoon, then sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Avoid freezing the assembled cannoli cups, as the filling can make the cups soggy and the texture won't be as enjoyable.
Interesting Fact About Cannoli Cups
A fun fact about this easy cannoli cups recipe is that using wonton wrappers as a substitute for traditional cannoli shells not only simplifies the preparation process but also adds a unique, crispy texture to the dessert.
Is Making Cannoli Cups at Home Cost-Effective?
The easy cannoli cups recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like wonton wrappers, ricotta cheese, and mini chocolate chips are affordable and easily available. The recipe yields around 30-35 cups, making it perfect for a family gathering or a small party. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $12-$15 USD. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is This Cannoli Cups Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The easy cannoli cups recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not the healthiest dessert option. The main concerns are:
- High sugar content from the added sugar and chocolate chips
- Refined carbohydrates in the wonton wrappers
- Saturated fat from the whole milk and ricotta cheese
- Lack of nutritional value, as it is primarily a sweet treat
However, the small portion size of the cups does help with portion control, which is a positive aspect.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Reduce the amount of added sugar in the filling or use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit
- Replace some of the whole milk with low-fat milk or a plant-based alternative like almond milk
- Use part-skim ricotta cheese to reduce the saturated fat content
- Incorporate more nutritious ingredients, such as fresh fruit or a sprinkle of chopped nuts, to add vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats
- Experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free wonton wrappers for a more wholesome base
By making these adjustments, you can still enjoy the delightful flavors and textures of cannoli cups while minimizing the negative health impacts. Remember, moderation is key, and treating yourself occasionally is perfectly fine as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Editor's Opinion on This Cannoli Cups Recipe
This easy cannoli cups recipe is a delightful fusion of traditional Italian flavors and modern convenience. Using wonton wrappers as the base is a clever twist, providing a crisp and light vessel for the creamy filling. The combination of ricotta, almond, and vanilla extracts creates a rich and aromatic filling, while the mini chocolate chips add a touch of indulgence. The process is straightforward, making it accessible for home cooks. However, ensure the cornstarch mixture is thoroughly cooked to avoid a starchy taste. Overall, it's a creative and delicious dessert that's sure to impress.
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Why trust this Easy Cannoli Cups Recipe:
This recipe is a delightful twist on traditional cannoli, using wonton wrappers to create easy, crispy cups. The filling is rich and creamy, made with ricotta cheese and flavored with almond extract and vanilla extract. The addition of mini chocolate chips adds a touch of sweetness and texture. With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. Plus, the bite-sized portions make it a great option for parties and gatherings. Trust this recipe for a fun and delicious dessert that will impress your guests.
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