Indulge in the irresistible flavors of classic Italian cannoli transformed into an effortlessly elegant dessert – the Cannoli Cheese Ball. This no-bake wonder captures the essence of a beloved Italian pastry, offering a delightful and surprisingly simple treat that’s perfect for any gathering. Forget the fuss of frying shells; this recipe delivers all the creamy, sweet, and spiced goodness you crave in an easy-to-serve format, making entertaining a breeze.
For those who appreciate the charm and ease of dessert cheese balls, this Cannoli Cheese Ball is an absolute must-try. Its luscious texture and authentic flavor profile will instantly transport your taste buds to a Sicilian bakery. If you’re a connoisseur of these delightful sweet spreads, you might also enjoy exploring other popular variations like our decadent Red Velvet Cheese Ball or the fun and nostalgic S’mores Cheese Ball. Each offers a unique spin on the concept, but the Cannoli Cheese Ball stands out with its sophisticated yet approachable charm.
The Magic of Dessert Cheese Balls: Simple, Sweet, and Spectacular
If you’re new to the world of dessert cheese balls, prepare to be amazed by their sheer simplicity and crowd-pleasing power. They are, without a doubt, one of the easiest recipes you can whip up for a party. While the process of shaping and coating might get a little bit messy – a small price to pay for such deliciousness – the end result is always worth every single moment. The beauty of a dessert cheese ball lies in its adaptability; it takes on the characteristics of your favorite treats, transforming them into a delightful dip or spread.
And for those who adore cannoli but shy away from the intricate process of making traditional fried shells and delicate fillings, this Cannoli Cheese Ball offers a brilliant and accessible alternative. It provides all the iconic flavors of an authentic cannoli – the rich ricotta, the sweet creaminess, a hint of spice, and delightful chocolate accents – without any of the extensive work. It’s a shortcut to happiness that doesn’t compromise on taste.
This dessert is perfectly suited for a holiday party, a casual potluck, or any special occasion where you want to impress your guests with minimal effort. Its unique flavor and appealing presentation guarantee it will be a crowd-pleaser, disappearing from the platter almost as quickly as you can set it out.
Why This Cannoli Cheese Ball Will Be Your New Go-To Dessert
- Effortlessly Elegant: Forget complicated baking techniques. This no-bake recipe comes together in minutes with simple steps, making it ideal for busy hosts.
- Authentic Cannoli Flavor: We’ve carefully crafted this recipe to capture the signature taste of a traditional cannoli filling, ensuring every bite is rich with ricotta, sweet cream cheese, and a hint of cinnamon and chocolate.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a festive holiday gathering, a casual family get-together, or a spontaneous celebration, this cheese ball is a versatile dessert that always fits the bill.
- Customizable Fun: Experiment with various dippers and additional mix-ins to tailor the cheese ball to your personal preferences and impress your guests with a personalized touch.
- A Unique Twist: Stand out from typical dessert offerings with this creative and unexpected treat that combines familiar comfort with a gourmet touch.
Key Ingredients for Your Cannoli Cheese Ball
Crafting the perfect Cannoli Cheese Ball relies on a few high-quality ingredients that come together to create that signature flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:
- Cream Cheese: This forms the creamy, tangy base of our cheese ball. For the richest and most luxurious texture, always opt for full-fat cream cheese. It provides the necessary structure and body to hold the cheese ball shape beautifully, unlike low-fat versions which can result in a runnier consistency. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth blending.
- Ricotta Cheese: This is the star ingredient that truly gives our dessert its authentic cannoli character. The key here is to use a high-quality, fairly firm ricotta. Full-fat ricotta without added stabilizers generally offers the best texture and flavor. If your ricotta appears watery or loose, it’s crucial to drain it thoroughly before incorporating it into the mixture. Excess moisture from ricotta is the most common reason a dessert cheese ball might not set properly, so don’t skip this step if needed.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this ingredient provides the perfect amount of sweetness and helps create a silky-smooth texture. Unlike granulated sugar, powdered sugar dissolves instantly, preventing any grittiness and ensuring a perfectly smooth, sweet filling reminiscent of authentic cannoli. Adjust the amount to suit your sweet tooth.
- Cinnamon: A warm and aromatic spice, cinnamon is essential for that classic cannoli flavor. It adds a subtle yet distinct warmth that balances the sweetness and enhances the overall profile. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking; a little more can bring a bolder spice, while a little less will keep it very delicate.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These tiny morsels are folded into the cheese ball mixture and also used for coating. Mini chocolate chips are preferred because they are easier to mix in evenly, provide delightful little bursts of chocolate in every bite, and make the cheese ball much simpler to coat and serve without large chunks disrupting the smooth texture.
- Delicious Dippers: The right dippers elevate the Cannoli Cheese Ball experience. Classic choices include crisp vanilla wafers, which offer a complementary sweetness and crunch. You could also use graham crackers for a slightly different flavor profile. For an extra touch of authenticity, broken cannoli shells are a fantastic option, though harder to source. A creative suggestion from a reader, and one we heartily endorse, is using broken sugar cones for a fun, edible scoop! Other ideas include pretzels for a sweet and salty contrast, or even fresh fruit like strawberries.
Simple Steps to Craft Your Cannoli Cheese Ball
Creating this delightful dessert is incredibly straightforward. Follow these easy steps to bring the flavors of Italy to your table:
- Prepare the Base: In a spacious mixing bowl, begin by beating the softened cream cheese until it achieves a wonderfully smooth and creamy consistency. A hand mixer works perfectly for this, ensuring there are no lumps. Once smooth, add the ricotta cheese (ensuring it’s well-drained if necessary), powdered sugar, and cinnamon. Continue beating until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is light and fluffy. Finally, gently fold in 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Shape and Chill: To shape your cheese ball, lay out two large pieces of plastic wrap on your counter, positioning them perpendicularly to each other to create a cross. Spoon the creamy cannoli mixture into the center of the plastic wrap. Carefully gather the edges of the plastic wrap, pulling them upwards and around the mixture, and gently form it into a round, compact ball shape. Once shaped, secure the plastic wrap tightly around the ball and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. For the absolute best results and a firmer, easier-to-handle cheese ball, we highly recommend chilling it overnight.
- Coat with Chocolate: When your cheese ball is firm and thoroughly chilled, spread the remaining mini chocolate chips evenly across a plate or shallow dish. Unwrap the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and carefully place it onto the bed of chocolate chips. Roll the cheese ball gently but firmly in the chips, pressing them into the surface until it is beautifully coated on all sides.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer your newly coated Cannoli Cheese Ball to a serving platter. Arrange your chosen dippers – such as vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or broken sugar cones – artfully around the cheese ball. Present this magnificent dessert to your guests and watch it disappear!
Expert Tips for a Flawless Cannoli Cheese Ball Every Time
Achieving the perfect Cannoli Cheese Ball is easy with these helpful tips and tricks. While the recipe is generally forgiving, paying attention to these details will ensure a smooth and successful dessert:
- The Ricotta Drainage Imperative: This is the single most critical tip for a perfectly firm cheese ball. Ricotta cheese can vary significantly in moisture content. If your ricotta is watery, it will prevent the cheese ball from setting properly, leading to a runny dip rather than a solid ball. To drain it, place the ricotta in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, set over a bowl. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours, to allow excess liquid to drip out. Gently press down on it occasionally to help expedite the process.
- Chill Time Matters: While the cheese ball can set in as little as 2 hours, patience is a virtue here. For the firmest, most stable, and easiest-to-handle cheese ball, prepare it the day before and allow it to refrigerate overnight. This extended chilling time gives the cheeses ample opportunity to firm up and allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in an even more delicious treat.
- When in Doubt, Make it a Dip: Don’t despair if, despite your best efforts, your mixture doesn’t firm up enough to maintain a perfect ball shape. The flavors will still be incredible! Simply serve it as a delightful cannoli dip. Transfer the mixture to a pretty serving bowl, sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips generously over the top, and arrange your dippers around it. It will be just as delicious, just a different presentation!
- Storage Solutions: Any leftover Cannoli Cheese Ball can be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes it an excellent make-ahead dessert, perfect for planning parties in advance. Just be sure to re-coat with a few fresh chocolate chips if needed before serving again for optimal presentation.
- Flavor Variations and Add-ins: Get creative with your cannoli cheese ball!
- Citrus Zest: A little orange or lemon zest can brighten the flavor beautifully, adding a lovely aromatic note.
- Nuts: Finely chopped pistachios or candied walnuts can be folded into the mixture or used as part of the outer coating for added texture and flavor.
- Spices: A pinch of nutmeg can complement the cinnamon and deepen the “Italian dessert” feel.
- Dried Fruit: Small bits of candied orange peel or dried cherries can add a delightful chewiness and fruity burst.
- Different Chocolates: Instead of mini chocolate chips, consider using finely chopped white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a blend for a varied chocolate experience.
- Presentation Perfection: A beautiful serving platter, carefully arranged dippers, and a dusting of extra powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce can turn your simple cheese ball into a stunning centerpiece.
More Irresistible Crowd-Pleasing Desserts
If you loved this easy and delicious Cannoli Cheese Ball, you’re in for a treat! Explore some of our other popular dessert recipes that are guaranteed to delight your guests and leave them asking for more:
- Easy Dump Cake Recipe: A miraculously simple dessert where ingredients are literally “dumped” into a pan and baked, resulting in a moist, fruity, and undeniably delicious treat.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake: For the ultimate peanut butter and chocolate lover, this rich and creamy cheesecake combines two classic flavors into one unforgettable dessert experience.
- Refreshing Fruit Pizza: A vibrant and fresh dessert featuring a soft cookie crust topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting and an array of colorful fresh fruits.
- Classic Italian Cream Cake: A true Southern classic, this elegant cake boasts moist coconut and pecan layers, enveloped in a rich cream cheese frosting.
- Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip: All the joy of eating raw cookie dough, made completely safe and shareable as a sweet, irresistible dip.
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Cannoli Cheese Ball
Deborah Harroun
15 minutes
2 hours
2 hours
15 minutes
10
servings
Dessert
Italian
Pin
Yields 10 servings.
Ingredients
-
8
oz
cream cheese,
at room temperature (full-fat recommended) -
1/2
cup
ricotta cheese
(ensure it is firm, drain if watery) -
1/2
cup
powdered sugar -
1
teaspoon
cinnamon -
1 3/4
cups
mini chocolate chips,
divided (1 cup for mixing, 3/4 cup for coating) -
vanilla wafers or graham crackers,
for serving (or broken cannoli shells, sugar cones)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese until it is smooth and free of lumps. Add the drained ricotta cheese (if necessary), powdered sugar, and cinnamon. Beat with a hand mixer until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is fluffy. Gently stir in 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Lay out two large pieces of plastic wrap in a cross shape on a clean surface. Place the prepared cannoli mixture in the center. Gather the plastic wrap around the mixture and carefully shape it into a firm ball. Ensure the plastic wrap is sealed tightly around the ball. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2-4 hours, or ideally overnight, until it is thoroughly chilled and firm.
- Spread the remaining 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips onto a flat plate or shallow dish. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball from the plastic wrap. Roll the cheese ball gently in the chocolate chips, pressing them lightly to ensure an even and thorough coating all over the surface.
- Transfer the coated Cannoli Cheese Ball to your desired serving platter. Arrange vanilla wafers, graham crackers, broken cannoli shells, or sugar cones around the cheese ball for easy dipping. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Video Tutorial
Recipe Notes:
For the best flavor and texture, always use full-fat cream cheese and ricotta. Low-fat or skim alternatives can significantly alter the consistency and richness of the final product.
The firmness of your ricotta cheese is paramount. If it’s watery, take the time to drain it thoroughly before mixing. This will prevent your cheese ball from being too runny and ensure it sets correctly.
This recipe is slightly adapted from The Rachael Ray Show.
Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only. Actual counts can vary based on specific brands and products used. The nutritional breakdown is calculated for the cheese ball itself, excluding any crackers or dippers.
Nutrition Information
Serving:
1
/10th of recipe
,
Calories:
327
kcal
(16%)
,
Carbohydrates:
35
g
(12%)
,
Protein:
3
g
(6%)
,
Fat:
21
g
(32%)
,
Saturated Fat:
12
g
(75%)
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
,
Trans Fat:
0
g
,
Cholesterol:
32
mg
(11%)
,
Sodium:
95
mg
(4%)
,
Fiber:
2
g
(8%)
,
Sugar:
29
g
(32%)
cannoli, cheese ball, dessert cheese ball, no-bake dessert, Italian dessert, party food