Italian dessert Cannoli - How it is prepared

 

Cannoli is a popular Italian dessert consisting of crispy pastry tubes filled with a sweet ricotta cheese filling. Here's how to prepare cannoli:

**Ingredients:**

For the Cannoli Shells:

- Cannoli shells (store-bought or homemade)

- Cooking oil for frying

For the Filling:

- Ricotta cheese (2 cups)

- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup)

- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)

- Chocolate chips, candied fruit, or nuts (optional)

- Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

**Instructions:**

**For the Cannoli Shells:**

1. **Rolling and Shaping**: If using store-bought cannoli shells, skip to the filling instructions. If making your own, roll out thin circles of cannoli dough and wrap them around metal cannoli tubes. Seal the edges with a bit of water.

2. **Frying**: Heat oil in a deep pan to around 350°F (175°C). Carefully slide in the prepared dough-wrapped tubes and fry until golden brown. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove using tongs and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Once cool, gently slide the fried shells off the tubes.

**For the Filling:**

1. **Preparing the Ricotta**: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. If desired, fold in chocolate chips, candied fruit, or nuts to add flavor and texture.

2. **Filling the Shells**: Using a piping bag or a spoon, carefully fill the cannoli shells with the ricotta filling. Start from one end and fill until both ends meet in the middle. Be gentle to avoid breaking the delicate shells.

3. **Dusting and Serving**: Optionally, dust the filled cannoli with powdered sugar for a finishing touch. Serve the cannoli immediately, as the shells can become soggy if filled too far in advance. They are best enjoyed fresh.

Cannoli can be customized with various fillings and toppings, but the classic combination of sweet ricotta filling and crispy shells is the hallmark of this delightful dessert.