Description
Christmas Cannoli Cookies are a festive twist on the classic Italian dessert, featuring soft cinnamon-sugar coated cookies filled with a creamy ricotta and mini chocolate chip filling. These sandwich-style cookies are easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips until smooth. Drain ricotta briefly beforehand if watery.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for rolling.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and coat in cinnamon-sugar. Place on baking sheet with space in between.
- Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, spread 1 teaspoon of ricotta filling on the flat side of one cookie and sandwich with another. Repeat with remaining cookies.
Notes
- Drain ricotta if it’s too wet to prevent runny filling.
- Store filled cookies in the fridge; unfilled cookies can be kept at room temperature.
- For extra flavor, add orange zest or a drop of almond extract to the filling.
- Mini chocolate chips can be replaced with finely chopped chocolate.
- Cookies are best served slightly chilled or brought to room temperature just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
