Italian Cannoli Dip Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high, heat 2 inches oil to 350 degrees. While oil heats, working with one wrapper at a time, use a 1 3/4-inch fluted round cookie cutter to punch out individual cannoli chips. Working in batches of 10 to 12, fry chips, turning often with a spider or slotted spoon, until golden and bubbly, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain.
• Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Dip one edge of each cannoli chip in melted chocolate, scraping bottom against side of bowl, and sprinkle with pistachios. Lay on parchment. Repeat with remaining cannoli chips. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes and up to 1 day.
• While chips chill, stir together ricotta, mascarpone, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips over dip and serve, alongside cannoli chips.

Steps:

• For the shell dough: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar and salt. Work the butter pieces into the flour with your fingers until the mixture becomes coarse and sandy. Add the egg yolk and the white wine and mix until it becomes a smooth dough. Spread a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface and place the dough in the center. Wrap the plastic loosely around it and press the dough to fill the gap. Flattening the dough will mean less rolling later. Let it rest in the fridge for a few minutes while you make the filling.
• For the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk the ricotta until smooth. Sift in the powdered sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Mix to blend. In a separate bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat the heavy cream until fairly stiff. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the cream into the ricotta mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Lightly zest the exterior of the lemon and stir it into the ricotta. Refrigerate for a half hour to an hour.
• To roll and fry the shells: In a medium pot with a heavy bottom, heat the canola oil to 360 degrees F. Meanwhile, sift an even layer of flour on a flat surface. Flour a rolling pin. Roll the dough until it is very thin (about 1/8-inch thick). Cut the dough into fourths and work in small batches. Use any glass or small bowl that has a 3-to-4-inch diameter. Cut rounds, tracing around each one to assure the dough has been fully cut. You should have about 24 circles. Wrap each circle around a cannoli mold. Use a little of the egg wash on the edge of each round to seal it shut and to assure it won't slide or fall off the mold before pressing it closed over the mold. Flare the edges out slightly from the mold. Flaring will allow the oil to penetrate each cannoli shell as they fry. Use a pair of tongs to hold the edge of the mold as you submerge and fry the shell in the oil until crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil, and holding the mold in one had with your tongs, gently grip the shell in your other hand with a kitchen towel and carefully slide it off the mold. Set aside to cool. Repeat with all of the circles.
• To fill the cannolis: Just before serving, use a pastry bag without a tip to pipe the ricotta into the cannoli molds. Fill the cannoli shells from both ends so the cream runs through the whole shell. Dust with powdered sugar. Powdered sugar gives that little extra sweetness and added texture to the exterior. It also makes me feel like I have a professional bakery touch in my own home. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Beat ricotta cheese and cream cheese together in a bowl until smooth; add sugar and vanilla. Continue to stir mixture until sugar is completely incorporated. Fold chocolate chips through the cheese mixture.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 10 minutes.