Ultimate Cannoli Cookies – Italian Tradition in Cookie Form!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 12 sandwich cookies | Difficulty: Easy

Capture all the beloved flavors of traditional Italian cannoli in these irresistible sandwich cookies that bring bakery-quality results to your home kitchen. These Ultimate Cannoli Cookies feature tender, cinnamon-sugar coated cookies filled with a luscious ricotta cream studded with mini chocolate chips. The magic happens when the soft, cake-like texture meets the creamy, sweet filling that tastes exactly like classic cannoli cream. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving authentic Italian flavors, these cookies offer all the indulgence of cannoli without the fuss of pastry shells. Each bite delivers that perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and nostalgic Italian bakery charm that will transport you straight to a Sicilian pasticceria.

Authentic Italian-Inspired Ingredients for the Cannoli Cookies

For the Cookies:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour – provides tender, cake-like texture
• ½ teaspoon baking powder – ensures perfect rise and softness
• ¼ teaspoon salt – enhances all flavors beautifully
• ½ cup unsalted butter – softened, creates rich, tender cookies
• ½ cup granulated sugar – sweetens and helps achieve golden color
• 1 large egg – binds ingredients and adds richness
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – classic flavor that complements ricotta

For the Cannoli Cream Filling:

• ½ cup ricotta cheese – well-drained, the star of traditional cannoli
• ¼ cup powdered sugar – sweetens without grittiness
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon – warm spice essential to cannoli
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips – classic cannoli addition

For Rolling:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar – creates sweet, crispy exterior
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – aromatic coating that adds warmth

Ultimate Cannoli Cookies

Italian-inspired sandwich cookies with tender cinnamon-sugar coating filled with creamy ricotta and chocolate chip filling that tastes like traditional cannoli.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Course Cookie, Dessert

Cuisine Italian, Italian American

Servings 12 sandwich cookies

Calories 185 kcal

Equipment

• Electric mixer
• Large and medium mixing bowls
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Wire cooling racks
• Small glass for flattening

Ingredients

  

Cookies

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour provides tender, cake-like texture
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder ensures perfect rise and softness
• 1/4 teaspoon salt enhances all flavors beautifully
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened, creates rich, tender cookies
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar sweetens and helps achieve golden color
• 1 large egg binds ingredients and adds richness
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract classic flavor that complements ricotta

Cannoli Filling

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese well-drained, the star of traditional cannoli
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar sweetens without grittiness
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon warm spice essential to cannoli
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips classic cannoli addition

Rolling Mixture

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar creates sweet, crispy exterior
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon aromatic coating that adds warmth

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
• In large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes with electric mixer.
• Beat in egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and mixture is smooth.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix.
• In shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon for rolling mixture.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Place on prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly with bottom of glass.
• Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Don’t overbake for tender texture.
• Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
• While cookies cool, mix ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips until well combined.
• Spread generous teaspoon of filling on flat side of one cookie, then sandwich with another cookie.

Notes

Store in refrigerator in airtight container for up to 3 days. Ensure ricotta is well-drained to prevent soggy cookies. For best results, chill assembled cookies for 30 minutes before serving. Can add orange zest or almond extract to filling for variation.

Keyword cannoli cookies, cannoli filling, italian cookies, ricotta cookies, sandwich cookies

Simple Steps to Italian Cannoli Cookies Perfection

Create Perfect Cookie Base

1. Preheat and Prepare (5 minutes): Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients (2 minutes): In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar (3 minutes): In large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes with electric mixer.
4. Add Wet Ingredients (2 minutes): Beat in egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and mixture is smooth.
5. Combine Mixtures (2 minutes): Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix for tender cookies.

Shape and Bake

6. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar (1 minute): In shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon for rolling mixture.
7. Shape Cookies (5 minutes): Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in cinnamon-sugar mixture for sweet coating.
8. Flatten for Sandwiches (2 minutes): Place on prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly with bottom of glass for even sandwich surfaces.
9. Bake to Golden Perfection (10-12 minutes): Bake until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. Don’t overbake for tender texture.
10. Cool Completely (15 minutes): Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Must be completely cool before filling.

Make the Cannoli Cream

11. Combine Filling (5 minutes): While cookies cool, mix ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips until well combined.
12. Assemble Sandwiches (5 minutes): Spread generous teaspoon of filling on flat side of one cookie, then sandwich with another cookie.

Expert Tips & Italian Variations

Love Italian desserts? Try our Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu for elegant entertaining, or explore our Honey Bun Cake Recipe for more sweet inspiration.

Success Secrets

• Drain ricotta well to prevent watery filling that could make cookies soggy
• Don’t overbake cookies – they continue cooking on hot pan
• Cool completely before filling to prevent melting
• Chill assembled cookies for 30 minutes to set filling

Delicious Variations

• Orange Zest: Add orange zest to filling for citrus brightness
• Pistachio Version: Replace chocolate chips with chopped pistachios
• Almond Extract: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract for authentic Italian flavor
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over assembled cookies

Perfect for pairing with our Mexican Lasagna Recipe for international dinner party, or serve alongside Greek Chicken Flatbread for Mediterranean theme.

Storage & Serving Tips

These Cannoli Cookies are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The filling stays fresh and the cookies maintain their tender texture. Serve chilled or at room temperature – both are delicious! Perfect for cookie exchanges, Italian-themed parties, or as elegant dessert for dinner guests.

For more Italian-inspired recipes, check out our Chopped Italian Sandwich Recipe or Tex-Mex Steak Bowls for fusion flavors.

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