Skip all the fuss needed with traditional cannoli and try these easy-to-make Cannoli Cones instead. They’re simple sugar cones filled with sweet, creamy ricotta filling.
Table of contents
Cannoli Cones
Cannoli is one of those things I’m always craving a LITTLE bit! After living in Phoenix, we were surrounded by great food from so many cultures. While there, we found an awesome Italian place in the East Valley. Side note: If you’re ever in the Phoenix area, you MUST visit DeFalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery – and get a cannoli or two! They’re my absolute favorite!
One of these days, I’m going to be brave enough to try making my cannoli from scratch – the real deal. But for now, I’m more than content to take a few shortcuts like with these Cannoli Cones. Imagine a sugar cone with cannoli filling (which tastes a lot like a cannoli shell anyway) and you have yourself this recipe!
I also love this recipe because, other than the fact it’s quick and economical, it’s great for any occasion. Birthdays for all ages? Anniversary dinners? Thanksgiving? Christmas? Picnic desserts? Just ‘cause? A Cannoli Cone goes with any holiday!
(That reminds me: I wonder how this would go over if I tried to give them out at Halloween, ha!)
Sometimes I like to change things up by adding grated orange or lemon peel to the ricotta mixture. Or I’ll swap out the chocolate chips for pistachios. Or I’ll use chocolate chips AND pistachios. ? Seriously, so good! Don’t be afraid to give it a try! You’ll be glad you gave these Cannoli Cones a try!
Sure, they’re not authentic, but they are delicious. And sometimes, that’s all you need! I hope you enjoy them!
Cannoli Cones: Ingredients & Equipment
For these Cannoli Cones, you will need …
Ingredients
- ricotta cheese – full-fat (or whole milk), and drained with a cheesecloth. This is the traditional base of your cannoli filling!
- vanilla extract and powdered sugar – these two ingredients, combined with the ricotta cheese, make for a simple but scrumptious cannoli filling.
- sugar ice cream cones – these turn your cannolis into Cannoli Cones!
- dark chocolate chips – you’ll dip the opening of your cones in melted dark chocolate for an extra sweet crunch.
- mini semisweet chocolate chips – an addition to your cannoli filling. Not optional!
Equipment
- hand mixer – the easiest way to combine all your cannoli-filling ingredients.
- piping bag – you’ll use this to pipe your cannoli filling into the cones!
- parchment paper – after dipping the cones, it’s best to leave the dark chocolate to harden on a piece of parchment paper.
Cannoli Cones: FAQs
Following this recipe, it should take about a half-hour!
It’ll make 10 Cannoli Cones! Enough for everyone in the family to have a couple. Yum!
I highly recommend it!! The cones will get soggy if you don’t.
I wouldn’t!! It tends not to thaw well in my experience (everything separates).
Again, I wouldn’t! I’d serve them within 5-15 minutes of making them since, otherwise, the cones get too soft. However, you CAN make the filling ahead of time – and just fill the cones right before serving.
Here are a few of my faves:
– Adding grated orange or lemon peel to the ricotta mixture for more flavor
– Swapping out the mini chocolate chips for pistachios
– Or putting in chocolate chips and pistachios!!
And here are some that I haven’t tried but I guarantee taste amazing:
– Throwing any of your favorite nuts into the mix (chopped pecans, peanuts, etc.)
– Using different kinds of chocolate chips as a topping or a dip
– Topping them with fruit, like raspberries or strawberries
– Putting spices into the cannoli mix, like cinnamon
– Grabbing your favorite sprinkles for a themed treat!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Cannoli Cones
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
- 10 sugar ice cream cones
- 1 pound full-fat ricotta cheese drained with a cheesecloth
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- additional dark chocolate chips for decoration
Instructions
- Melt dark chocolate chips and dip wide opening of cones in melted chocolate. Place cones facedown on a parchment paper-lined pan until chocolate is hardened.
- With a hand mixer on medium speed, beat ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until combined. Add 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips.
- Transfer the filling to a piping bag with a large tip. Pipe the cannoli mixture into each cone. Add additional chocolate chips on top of the cannoli filling for decoration.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Here are a few of my favorite swaps:
- Adding grated orange or lemon peel to the ricotta mixture for more flavor
- Swapping out the mini chocolate chips for pistachios
- Or putting in chocolate chips and pistachios!!
- Throwing any of your favorite nuts into the mix (chopped pecans, peanuts, etc.)
- Using different kinds of chocolate chips as a topping or a dip
- Topping them with fruit, like raspberries or strawberries
- Putting spices into the cannoli mix, like cinnamon
- Grabbing your favorite sprinkles for a themed treat!
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on September 4, 2018. Updated on July 19, 2022.
Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy, am I going to try this recipe. I’d be making these right now if I had the cones.