Cannoli Cookies | Easy Cookie Recipes (2024)

A tender, almond-flavored cookie becomes the perfect vehicle for a light and creamy cannoli topping. Speckled with mini chocolate chips, they’re sweet bites of heaven.

If you don’t live on the east coast, you might have difficulty finding a quality Italian bakery. So this recipe is perfect when you’re craving a classic cannoli. And best of all, there’s no deep-frying required.

The addition of almond extract in the cookie base makes them taste like Italian amaretti cookies.

Then, fresh-whipped cream and ricotta make a silky icing that’s dotted with bits of chocolate. They taste like high-quality cannolis and pair beautifully with espresso.

If you’d like to make more European-style cookies, you have options. Homemade Vanilla Biscotti is another perfect complement to any coffee drink. For a more delicate treat, Orange Madeleines are a French classic. And Chocolate Madeleines are equally special.

Why You’ll Love These Cannoli Cookies

• They’re ready to serve in about half an hour from start to finish.

• Enjoy all the flavor of a real cannoli with way less work.
• They’re baked, not fried!
• They’re delicious and pretty enough to impress your guests.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Heavy Cream – Whipped cream creates a lighter cannoli topping.
• Ricotta Cheese – Ricotta makes the topping taste like real cannoli filling. Use whole-milk ricotta for the best flavor.
• Mini Chocolate Chips – Tiny chocolate chips look great and add texture.
• Powdered Sugar – Provides structure to the topping, helping it to hold its shape.

• Vanilla Extract – Adds sweet vanilla flavor to the cookies and the topping.
• Almond Extract – Gives a delicate almond flavor to the cookie base. Be sure to use almond extract, not almond oil.
• Flour – This essential ingredient creates structure in the cookie base.
• Baking Powder – Helps the cookie rise and have a lighter texture.
• Salt – Balances out the flavors.

• Butter – Blends with sugar to give natural leavening and rich flavor.
• Sugar – Adds sweet flavor to the cookie and keeps it moist.
• Egg – Adds richness to the cookies and helps bind them together.

Helpful Tools

• Mixer – A stand or electric hand mixer makes creaming and whipping easier.

• Cookie Scoop – This can help ensure all your cookies turn out the same size. Use a 1.5-tablespoon scoop for this recipe.
• Rubber Spatula – This makes it easy to scrape your mixing bowls and fold chocolate chips into the cream topping.
• Baking Sheet– Lighter baking sheets are less likely to over bake keeping the bottom of the cookie tender.
• Parchment Paper or Silpat – Lining your baking sheet with one of these helps prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan.
• Wire Cooling Rack – It is ideal for cooling the cookies so they don’t collect moisture.

How to Make Cannoli Cookies

1. Make the Dough
2. Bake
3. Allow to Cool
4. Make Cannoli Cream and Frost

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Store

• Room Temperature – Once cooled, store plain cookies in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days and top them when ready to serve.
• Refrigerate – Once your cookies have the creamy topping on them, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 2-3 days.
• Freeze – To freeze, your best bet is to freeze baked cookies before they’re topped. Store in a freezer-safe plastic bag with wax paper between any layers. Then thaw completely before topping and eating.