Mini Cannoli Pie Delights
Indulge in these delectable Mini Cannoli Pie Delights, which expertly blend the creamy richness of ricotta and mascarpone cheeses with the classic flavors of cannoli, all nestled within a crisp and flaky pie crust. Each delightful bite is elegantly topped with chocolate, pistachios, and colorful sprinkles, making them perfect for holidays, celebrations, or any occasion. These bite-sized treats are not only visually appealing but also bursting with rich Italian flavors, sure to impress family and friends alike. Share these sweet treats and enjoy their delectable blend of textures and tastes that transports you to a classic Italian café.
20
Servings
90
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces (none)
Mascarpone cheese
8 ounces (none)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
Confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup (sifted)
All-purpose flour
for dusting (none)
Frozen rolled double-crust pie dough
1 (15 ounce) package (one roll thawed)
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (none)
Semisweet mini chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups (divided)
Vegetable oil
2 teaspoons (none)
Pistachios
1/2 cup (chopped fine)
Rainbow nonpareil candy sprinkles
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and sifted confectioners' sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy.
3
3. Transfer this delicious cannoli filling into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and refrigerate until needed.
4
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed pie dough into a thin circle. Use a 2 1/2-inch round cutter to cut out circles from the dough.
5
5. Lightly press each dough round into the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased mini muffin tin. Once all are in place, lightly spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray.
6
6. Bake the pie shells in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crisp. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
7
7. Meanwhile, melt 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Stir until well combined and smooth.
8
8. Once the pie shells are cool, dip each shell into the melted chocolate, coating the top rim. Allow excess chocolate to drip off before placing them on a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet.
9
9. While the chocolate is still wet, immediately sprinkle the edges with finely chopped pistachios or colorful nonpareil sprinkles, leaving some plain if desired. Allow the chocolate to set for 15-20 minutes.
10
10. Once the chocolate has dried, fill each cooled shell with the cannoli filling from the piping bag, creating a star shape on top.
11
11. Finally, garnish filled bites with additional mini chocolate chips, pistachios, or sprinkles before serving.
Nutrition Information
4.5g
Fat
10g
Carbs
1.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mini Cannoli Pie Delights?
They are bite-sized treats that combine a creamy ricotta and mascarpone filling with a crisp pie crust, topped with chocolate and pistachios.
What cheeses are used in the cannoli filling?
The filling is made with a combination of whole milk ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 20 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 90 calories.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
How do you prepare the cannoli filling?
Mix ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and sifted confectioners' sugar until smooth and creamy.
What type of dough is recommended for the shells?
A frozen rolled double-crust pie dough is used, with one roll thawed for the recipe.
What size should the dough circles be?
Use a 2 1/2-inch round cutter to cut out the dough circles.
What kind of pan is used for baking the shells?
An ungreased mini muffin tin is used to shape and bake the pie shells.
How long do the pie shells need to bake?
Bake them for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
Should the pie shells be cooled before filling?
Yes, allow the pie shells to cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling.
Why is vegetable oil added to the chocolate chips?
The vegetable oil is mixed with the chocolate chips to ensure a smooth, melted consistency for dipping.
How do you decorate the rims of the pie shells?
Dip the cooled shell rims into melted chocolate and then immediately into chopped pistachios or sprinkles.
How long does the chocolate rim take to set?
The chocolate should be allowed to set for about 15-20 minutes.
What tools are used to fill the shells?
A pastry bag fitted with a large star tip is used to pipe the filling into the shells.
What garnishes can be added to the finished treats?
You can garnish them with additional mini chocolate chips, finely chopped pistachios, or rainbow sprinkles.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 4.5g of fat.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 1.8g of protein.
Does the recipe require sifting the sugar?
Yes, the confectioners' sugar should be sifted before mixing into the filling.
What type of chocolate chips are best for this recipe?
Semisweet mini chocolate chips are recommended.
Can I use different types of nuts?
The recipe specifies pistachios, but you could use other finely chopped nuts if preferred.
Is it necessary to spray the dough before baking?
Yes, lightly spray the tops of the dough rounds with nonstick cooking spray before baking.
What should be done with the filling while the shells bake?
The filling should be placed in a pastry bag and refrigerated until it is needed.
How much vanilla extract is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
What surface preparation is needed for rolling the dough?
The dough should be rolled out on a lightly floured surface.
Are these treats suitable for holidays?
Yes, their festive appearance and Italian flavors make them perfect for holidays and celebrations.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Can the shells be made in advance?
Yes, as long as they are kept crisp and only filled once they are completely cool and the chocolate has set.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to garnish the filled bites with extra chips, pistachios, or sprinkles.