Best Cannoli Dip

I cannot express just how much I love this easy cannoli dip! Rich and creamy, sweet, silky smooth and oh so dreamy. Made with ricotta cheese, cream cheese, confectioners sugar, vanilla extract and chocolate chips. As far as no-bake desserts go, this recipe is a keeper and comes together in only 15 minutes.

What Is Cannoli Dip Made Of?

Cannoli dip is made with only 5 ingredients! Ricotta cheese, cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips are all you need to make this delicious dip recipe.

• FAST TO MAKE – 15 minutes is all the time it takes to create and serve.
• LITTLE MESS – You only need a bowl and an electric mixer.
• DELICIOUS – This dip is creamy, delicious, and totally addicting!

This dip recipe is named after the filling used in the popular Italian Cannoli pastry. It comes together in 15 minutes and is about to become your secret addiction that everyone in the house will be looking to dip into.

Recipe Ingredients

This dessert dip uses the same ingredients as cannoli filling. Although we are using cream cheese because it’s more affordable, you can easily substitute it with mascarpone cheese to make this cannoli dip more authentic to the traditional filling.

Here’s what you need to make this rich dip with the full ingredients list in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

RICOTTA CHEESE – Choose fresh whole milk ricotta cheese for best results. You will need to drain as much liquid as possible from the ricotta so that the dip isn’t too runny.

CREAM CHEESE – I recommend using Philadelphia cream cheese because I find it will produce the creamiest results. If you want this dip to be more authentic, you can swap the cream cheese for mascarpone cheese in the same amount.

CONFECTIONERS’ SUGAR – This is also known as powdered sugar and is essential for the sweetness of the recipe.

VANILLA EXTRACT – This will add an extra layer of sweetness and flavor.

MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS – This is what is used at the end of cannoli desserts. Mini chocolate chips will work best for this recipe and are also used in traditional cannoli recipes. You can also use larger chocolate chips depending on your preference. 

BUTTER WAFFLE COOKIES – Butter waffle cookies are what I used in the photos. They’re the perfect dipping cookie! You can also use cannoli chips, pizzelle cookies, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, fresh strawberries, grapes, or sliced melon.

Pro Tip: Check out my powdered sugar alternatives if you want to avoid using any refined sugar.

Additions

MARSCAPONE – Marscapone cheese can be used instead of cream cheese but may not be readily available at some grocery stores and is more expensive. But if you find it, use equal parts.

ALMOND EXTRACT – Almond extract will add a little different flavor than vanilla extract, but the result will be just as dreamy!

CHOPPED PISTACHIO – For a more traditional taste, add these by sprinkling chopped pistachios on top or mixing them throughout.

CITRUS ZEST – Use 1 Tbsp of orange zest or lemon zest and sprinkle on top for an added citrus flavor.

How To Make Creamy Cannoli Dip

Make sure you have a few options for dipping ready to go because you won’t want to wait long to try it! Here’s a quick overview of how to make this recipe with the full instructions at the bottom of the printable recipe card.

1. MIX – In a medium bowl, add the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend everything together using a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. These ingredients can also be blended in a food processor.
2. FOLD – Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chocolate chips. 
3. SERVE – Add the dip to a serving bowl and sprinkle some remaining chocolate chips on top. Place a few butter waffle cookies on a plate and serve alongside a bowl of cannoli dip.

Pro Tip: For a fluffier texture, mix all the ingredients for a full 2 minutes before folding in the chocolate chips.

How To Store 

You can make this ahead of time, but after 2 days, the mixture will begin to separate. I suggest making this recipe on the day of serving. But if you have leftovers:

• REFRIGERATE – You can refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. After that, the dip will start to become runny. 
• FREEZE – It’s not a good idea to freeze this dip recipe. Once thawed, it will have a chalky and grainy texture from the dairy ingredients.

Ways To Serve

Really, this dip can be served with anything. Here are some ideas:

• SLICED FRUIT – Strawberries, kiwis, melons, bananas, oranges, dragon fruit, apples, pears… Any fresh fruit that would be easy to hold and dip with would work perfectly.
• BUTTER WAFFLE COOKIES – You can serve them with butter waffle cookies as I did, or try chocolate pizzelle cookies.
• WAFFLE CONES – Waffle cone pieces broken into chip-sized pieces for dipping.
• GRAHAM CRACKERS – Many people just use graham crackers for dipping this dessert recipe.

Common Questions

Last-minute recipes are great, and no-bake desserts are the best. If you’re looking for something fast, easy, fluffy, and sweet, look no further. Everyone who tries this easy cannoli dip will be asking just how you did it. It’s the perfect sweet treat!

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

Need to whip up something sweet and simple? Try one of these recipes below:

• 6 No-Bake Energy Ball Recipes
• No-Bake Pumpkin Oat Energy Balls
• No-Bake Pumpkin Marshmallow Pie
• Edible Brownie Batter
• Sugar Cookie Fudge