If you’re craving a delightful treat that combines the flavors of a classic Italian cannoli with the convenience of a cupcake, you’re in for a real treat with these Cannoli Cupcakes. This recipe takes the beloved elements of a cannoli – the creamy filling, the hint of chocolate, and the sweet pastry – and transforms them into a handheld delight perfect for any occasion.
I’ve taken the essence of a traditional cannoli and infused it into these easy-to-make cupcakes, creating a family-friendly dessert that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at homemade cupcakes for the first time, these Cannoli Cupcakes are a deliciously simple yet decadent option that will have everyone asking for more.
With a quick and easy Italian cannoli cream frosting and a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips, these cupcakes are a delightful twist on a beloved pastry. Get ready to indulge in the flavors of Italy with a fun and tasty treat that’s perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any special gathering.
Ingredients
Creating these scrumptious Cannoli Cupcakes is a breeze when you have the right ingredients on hand. Let’s break down what you’ll need for each component of this delightful dessert:
For the Cupcakes
- 8 Ounces Mascarpone Cheese, chilled
- 1 Tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream, chilled
- Mini Chocolate Chips for topping
For the Cannoli Cream Filling
- Butter, softened
- Mascarpone cheese, softened
- Confectioners sugar
- Pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream, chilled
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Equipment Needed
When preparing Cannoli Cupcakes, having the right equipment can make the process efficient and enjoyable. Here’s a list of essential tools you’ll need to create these delightful treats:
Cupcake Pan:
An essential item for baking cupcakes, the cupcake pan ensures that your cupcakes bake evenly and maintain their shape.
Cupcake Liners:
These paper or foil liners not only prevent the cupcakes from sticking to the pan but also add a decorative touch to your finished treats.
Mixing Bowls:
You’ll need mixing bowls in various sizes to combine and mix the cupcake batter, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
Electric Mixer:
An electric mixer can make the process of mixing the cupcake batter and frosting easier and faster than mixing by hand.
Piping Bag and Tips:
To achieve a professional-looking frosting on your cupcakes, a piping bag with tips allows you to create decorative swirls or designs on top.
Cooling Rack:
After baking, a cooling rack provides a suitable surface for your cupcakes to cool properly before adding the frosting.
Offset Spatula:
An offset spatula helps in evenly spreading the frosting on top of the cupcakes for a smooth and polished finish.
Decorating Tools:
Optional tools like sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter can add a decorative touch to your Cannoli Cupcakes for a visually appealing presentation.
Gathering these essential tools before starting your Cannoli Cupcakes recipe will streamline your baking process and help you create beautifully delicious treats.
Prepare the Cupcake Batter
Creating the perfect cupcake batter is essential for achieving moist and flavorful Cannoli Cupcakes. By following these steps closely, you’ll ensure your cupcakes turn out just right.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
To start, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and a hint of ground cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. This step ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, resulting in a well-balanced cupcake texture.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Once the dry ingredients are mixed, it’s time to blend them with the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, whisking gently to avoid overmixing. This careful blending process will yield a smooth and delightful cupcake batter.
Baking the Cupcakes
To bake the delicious Cannoli Cupcakes, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line your muffin pans with 24 paper liners for the cupcakes.
Step 2: Prepare the Flour Mixture
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add Eggs
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamy batter, mixing until everything is well combined and you achieve a smooth texture.
By following these steps, you’ll create a flavorful and moist cupcake batter ready for filling and frosting with the delightful cannoli cream mixture.
Making the Cannoli Cream Filling
To create the delectable Cannoli Cream Filling for your cupcakes, you need to first focus on draining the ricotta to achieve the right consistency and then proceed with mixing the filling to perfection.
Draining the Ricotta
Before you start preparing the Cannoli Cream Filling, it’s crucial to drain the ricotta properly. Place the ricotta in a colander lined with cheesecloth and let it sit for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. This process ensures that excess liquid is removed, resulting in a firmer texture for your filling.
Mixing the Filling
Once the ricotta is properly drained, you can proceed with mixing the filling. In a bowl, combine the strained ricotta, powdered sugar, vanilla bean seeds, and vanilla extract. Gently mix the ingredients together, making sure not to overmix to maintain the desired consistency. Finally, add in the chocolate chips and incorporate them evenly into the filling. Chill the mixture until you’re ready to fill your cupcakes for a delightful cannoli flavor experience.
Preparing the Ricotta Buttercream Frosting
To create the luscious Ricotta Buttercream Frosting for our Cannoli Cupcakes, follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 10 ounces of Ricotta Cheese (drained if needed)
- 16 ounces of Mascarpone Cheese (drained if needed)
- 3 cups of Powdered Sugar (possibly more if needed to thicken frosting)
- 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon of Fresh Orange Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of Salt
- 10 ounces of Mini Chocolate Chips
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained Ricotta Cheese and Mascarpone Cheese until smooth and well incorporated.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, while continuously mixing until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. You may need to adjust the amount of powdered sugar to achieve the right thickness.
- Mix in the vanilla extract, fresh orange juice, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully blended. These ingredients infuse the frosting with delightful flavors reminiscent of traditional cannoli.
- Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the frosting for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
- Once your Ricotta Buttercream Frosting is well mixed and has a smooth texture, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set.
Now that your delightful Ricotta Buttercream Frosting is ready, you can proceed to top your Cannoli Cupcakes with this creamy goodness and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors in every bite.
Assembling the Cannoli Cupcakes
Now that we have prepared the Cannoli Cupcakes components, it’s time to complete the final steps of assembling them. Follow the simple instructions below to fill and frost your cupcakes with the delicious Cannoli Cream Filling and Ricotta Buttercream Frosting.
Filling the Cupcakes
- Use a spoon to remove the center of each cupcake.
- Place the Cannoli Filling in a piping bag and snip the end with scissors.
- Pipe the filling into the middle of each cupcake.
- Fill a piping bag with the prepared Ricotta Buttercream Frosting.
- Pipe the frosting over the cupcakes, covering the tops.
- Optionally, roll the sides of the frosting in mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios for added texture and flavor.
Follow these steps for a delightful finish to your Cannoli Cupcakes, ensuring a perfect combination of creamy fillings and flavorful frosting in every bite.
Decorating Tips
Onto the fun part – decorating these delectable cannoli cupcakes! To achieve that classic cannoli look, I recommend using the Wilton Decorating Kit, specifically the 1M tip. This tip creates those beautiful swirls of frosting that resemble the traditional cannoli filling.
Once you have frosted the cupcakes with the Ricotta Buttercream Frosting, you can choose to garnish them with mini homemade cannolis for an extra special touch. The combination of the creamy frosting and the crunchy cannoli shell is truly a match made in dessert heaven.
For a finishing touch, consider rolling the frosted cupcakes in mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios. This not only adds a delightful texture but also enhances the flavor profile, giving your cannoli cupcakes a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch.
Conclusion
I’ve shared a delectable Cannoli Cupcakes recipe that combines the best of both worlds – cupcakes and cannolis. With a creamy filling, chocolate hint, and sweet pastry, these cupcakes are perfect for any occasion. By following the detailed steps provided, you can easily recreate these delightful treats in your own kitchen. From preparing the cupcake batter to assembling the final product with Cannoli Cream Filling and Ricotta Buttercream Frosting, each step is crucial to achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Don’t forget to use the Wilton Decorating Kit for those beautiful swirls of frosting that mimic traditional cannoli filling. With the option to garnish with mini homemade cannolis, chocolate chips, or pistachios, you can add your own creative touch to these delicious Cannoli Cupcakes. Enjoy baking and indulging in these delightful treats!