Print

Florentine Cannoli Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 107 reviews

Florentine Cannoli is a delightful fusion dessert featuring crisp, golden florentine shells filled with a creamy, sweetened ricotta mixture studded with mini chocolate chips. These elegant treats combine the caramelized crunch of florentines with the smooth, luscious texture of classic cannoli filling, topped optionally with pistachios or extra chocolate chips for added flavor and crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Florentine Shells

  • 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ricotta Filling

  • 2 cups ricotta, drained to remove as much moisture as possible
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
  • 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

For Serving

  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Finely chopped pistachios

Instructions

  1. Drain the ricotta: Lay out two pieces of paper towel on a flat surface and spread the ricotta in a thin layer on top. Place another paper towel over the ricotta and gently press it down until the towel feels wet. Let sit for 30 minutes, replacing the paper towel halfway through to remove as much moisture as possible, ensuring a thick and creamy filling.
  2. Make the florentines – Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  3. Combine ingredients for florentine dough: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together butter, brown sugar, and honey until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in the flour, salt, and vanilla extract until the mixture is lump-free and homogenous.
  4. Chill and portion the batter: Optional but recommended – let the dough cool for easier handling by placing it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Then, place heaping 1/2 teaspoon dollops of batter on the parchment-lined pans, spacing them at least 3 inches apart as they will spread significantly during baking.
  5. Bake the florentines: Bake the batter for 6 to 8 minutes until a golden brown color is achieved. Immediately after removing from the oven, transfer the parchment with the baked florentines to a cooling rack to stop further cooking and allow cooling.
  6. Shape the florentine shells: Let the cookies cool for about 30 seconds until just cool enough to handle but still pliable. Using the handle of a spatula or whisk (approximately 3/4-inch circumference), carefully wrap each florentine cookie around it overlapping to form a cylindrical shell. The florentines harden quickly, so work efficiently. If they harden too fast, reheat in the oven for 15 seconds to soften again.
  7. Prepare the ricotta filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the drained ricotta, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and mini chocolate chips until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
  8. Fill the shells: Using a piping bag fitted with a round tip, fill each florentine shell by piping the ricotta mixture halfway on one side, then flip to fill the other half, creating a full, balanced filling.
  9. Add finishing touches and serve: Optionally dip each filled end of the cannoli in additional mini chocolate chips or finely chopped pistachios for decoration and extra flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy the crisp and creamy contrast.

Notes

  • Draining the ricotta is crucial to avoid a watery filling; be patient and replace paper towels as necessary.
  • The florentine batter spreads extensively; ensure ample spacing on baking sheets to prevent cookies from merging.
  • Work quickly when shaping the hot cookies as they harden rapidly and can crack if cooled too much before shaping.
  • If the florentines become too hard to shape, reheat briefly in the oven to restore pliability.
  • Orange zest is optional but adds a lovely citrus brightness to the filling.
  • Use a fine piping tip to control the filling and create a neat presentation.

Keywords: Florentine Cannoli, Italian dessert, ricotta cannoli, florentine cookies, honey florentines, chocolate chip ricotta filling, easy cannoli recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/florentine-cannoli-recipe/