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Classic Ricotta Cannoli Squares Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 128 reviews

Classic Ricotta Cannoli Squares are a delightful twist on traditional cannoli, featuring crisp golden puff pastry squares filled with a smooth, sweet ricotta mixture enhanced with chocolate chips and citrus zest. Perfectly dusted with confectioner’s sugar and optionally garnished with chopped pistachios, these elegant treats are easy to prepare and sure to impress at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cannoli Squares

  • 1 package puff pastry sheets (thawed)
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese (drained)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar (for dusting)
  • 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pistachios (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the puff pastry squares.
  2. Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface and cut each sheet into nine equal squares to create individual bases for the cannoli squares.
  3. Egg Wash: Arrange the pastry squares on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the tops with the beaten egg. This will help achieve a glossy, golden finish during baking.
  4. Bake Pastry: Bake the squares for 12-15 minutes until they are crisp and beautifully golden. Once baked, remove them from the oven and set aside to cool completely to prevent the ricotta filling from melting or making the pastry soggy.
  5. Prepare Ricotta Filling: In a mixing bowl, blend the drained ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, mini chocolate chips, orange zest, and cinnamon until you achieve a smooth and evenly mixed filling.
  6. Assemble Cannoli Squares: Carefully slice each cooled puff pastry square horizontally in half. Spread a generous layer of the ricotta mixture onto the bottom half, and then gently place the top half back on.
  7. Finish and Chill: Dust the assembled cannoli squares with confectioner’s sugar and sprinkle with chopped pistachios if desired. Place them in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and filling to firm up.

Notes

  • Ensure ricotta is well-drained to avoid soggy pastry.
  • Substitute dark chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor.
  • Orange zest can be replaced with lemon zest for a different citrus note.
  • The egg wash helps achieve a golden, shiny puff pastry crust.
  • Chilling the assembled squares improves texture and flavor integration.
  • Optional pistachio garnish adds both color and crunch.

Keywords: ricotta cannoli, puff pastry dessert, Italian dessert, cannoli squares, ricotta cheese, chocolate chip dessert, easy cannoli

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/classic-ricotta-cannoli-squares-recipe/