Note: To make this classic dessert, it is essential to have metal cannoli tubes.
Ingredients
Shells:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 6 tablespoons Marsala
Filling:
- 1 pound sheep's milk ricotta (may substitute cow's milk)
- 1/2 cup superfine sugar
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 4 tablespoons grated orange zest, plus extra for garnish
- 1/4 cup tiny chocolate chips
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
- 2 quarts canola oil, for frying
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Directions
To make the shells: Mix together the dry ingredients and cut in butter with 2 knives. Add the Marsala and shape the dough into a ball. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Heat 2 quarts canola oil in 3 1/2-quart pot to 360 to 375 degrees F.
To make the filling: In a mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, orange zest, and chocolate chips. Mix until well combined. Spoon the filling into a pastry bag with an open tip, and place the bag in the refrigerator.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide into 4 equal pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll 1 piece onto flat surface until it measures 1/16-inch thick. Using a cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into 4-inch circles. Using a rolling pin, elongate the circles into ovals.
Wrap the ovals lengthwise around the metal cannoli tubes. Using your fingertips, seal the edges shut with egg whites. Use your fingers to flare the ends open.
Working in small batches, carefully lift the cannoli shells and place them in the hot oil. Fry the shells until golden brown on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or spatula, remove the finished shells to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain on paper towels as they cook. Allow to cool.
When the shells are cool enough to touch, carefully twist the molds away from shells. Shells may be made 1 day in advance and rest unfilled and uncovered. When ready to eat, stuff cannoli with ricotta cream, dust with powdered sugar and orange zest.


















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By The Cake Eccentric
on February 07, 2012
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The filling is great, could eat a bowl full-- but I did as other reviews said drained the ricotta in cheese cloth, and used very little lemon juice. Couldn't find cannoli molds, so I did some research and used a 1 14" wooden dowel cut into 4 inch pieces---they really aren't reusable though. The shells were good, but I needed 2 tbsp more marsala then listed. I found natural cocoa was better than dutch processed.
By onajourney
North Carolina
on March 21, 2011
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For something so simple I didn't even think to read the reviews. Not only is this recipe horrible, it is also useless. I should have known better than to put a 1/3 of a cup of lemon juice in it. The food network with all it's resources should be doing a better job with what they put up here. As for Mario, I never liked him and now know he does not use all the recipes he seemingly makes available on this site. Save yourself the headache and trash this recipe.
By greatfoodie
South
on February 22, 2011
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Why do some of you need to be downright obnoxious in your posts? Wow-it is just a recipe board. Lighten up.
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