Best Cannoli Pie Recipe
The popular Italian dessert -- the famous Cannoli -- but made into a pie. A creamy sweet ricotta and cream cheese filling with mini chocolate chips, topped with chocolate ganache, and freshly whipped cream.
I just had to sneak in one more pie recipe for Thanksgiving 2021! This is inspired by our recent trip to Boston, Massachusetts this Fall. We spent the night in the North End of Boston which is lined with charming Italian restaurants and bakeries. The most famous bakeries in the area are Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry and they always have a long line.
When we visited Mike's Pastry, we asked what was the most popular item ordered at the bakery. She said that was an easy question and they were definitely known for their cannolis. Of course, we had to order at least 4 varieties to try them all. After trying them, I thought the flavors would make an amazing pie and I got to work in the kitchen!
I have to declare that we like this Cannoli Pie even better than a traditional cannoli. It is a cannoli but even better!
This Cannoli Pie is made with a cannoli filling with cream cheese, ricotta cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, orange zest, vanilla, and cinnamon. It is poured into a homemade baked buttery pie crust or even a graham cracker crust. Then the filling is topped with chocolate ganache and refrigerated until firm. The pie is topped with a handcrafted sweetened whipped cream and mini chocolate chips.
I love to garnish this Cannoli Pie with actual cannolis and you can find them in your local grocery store.
I added mini chocolate chips to the ends of the cannolis and you can even dip them in melted chocolate. Also, you can top this pie with chopped pistachios for some extra crunch.
When making this pie, I suggest using full-fat ingredients. I suggest buying whole milk ricotta cheese, full-fat cream cheese, and heavy cream. You want the filling to be thick and creamy and want the highest quality ingredients.
I suggest using mini chocolate chips because you get a small amount of chocolate in every bite! You can find Nestle mini chocolate chips at your grocery store.
One of the best parts of this Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie is the chocolate ganache topping. It is so easy to make chocolate ganache. It is a mix of heavy cream and chocolate and I just place it in the microwave and it is done in 1-2 minutes. So easy and makes such a big different in this Italian Cannoli Pie!
We couldn't stop eating this Cannoli Pie! I am so excited to take it to our huge Thanksgiving feast with the entire Driggs family. It is definitely the best cannoli pie recipe out there!
If you LOVE pie, check out these popular PIE RECIPES:
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CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE
Caramel APPLE Pie
White Chocolate MACADAMIA Chocolate Ganache Pie
Best Cannoli Pie
Ingredients
Homemade Pie Crust:
- Recipe in notes
Cannoli Pie Filling:
- (2) 8-ounce pkgs. Cream Cheese (slightly softened)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 ½ cups Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract or Paste
- 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 to 1 ½ cups Mini Chocolate Chips
Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
Whipped Cream:
- 1 ½ cups Heavy Cream
- ¼ cup Powdered Sugar
Garnish:
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Cannolis
- Pistachios
Instructions
- Blind bake pie crust according to recipe. Set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, ricotta cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and cinnamon until smooth and light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Fold in chocolate chips.
- When pie crust is cooled, fill with cannoli filling and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. If you want to expedite the process, place in the freezer for 45 minutes.
Chocolate Ganache:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate and heavy cream at 50% power for 45 seconds. Stir and repeat for 15-second increments until melted and smooth. Pour over chilled filling and spread out. Immediately place into the refrigerator to chill and set up. This will need to set up for 1-2 hours.
Whipped Cream:
- In a mixing bowl, beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Pipe onto chilled pie. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. If so desired, top with bakery cannolis.
Notes
Christina
Can I make this a day ahead before I serve it, I’m having out of town guest tomorrow, and I’m sure they would love this.. please reply asap. Thank you
Cathie
This is so, so delicious!! Because I do not have a Trader Joe's near me to purchase the chocolate, I used Ghirardelli semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips. Next time I'm in proximation to a TJ's, I will purchase the chocolate to use in this recipe. Thank you for all your experimenting and then sharing your recipes.
Cameron
Obsessed with this pie! So decadent and definitely a crowd pleaser.
Bobby
This is an amazing idea, if I didn't follow you I would have never of thought to even look for something like this. thank you for your creativity as well as your amazing recipes that are always "the best"! Great recipe, this will also get everyone's attention as it is very unique. We loved it!
Gen
This was really good…but please, provide an option to “jump to recipe” so that we can skip the narrative. I don’t need to know the inspiration for the recipe — I just want to get cooking! Still, this was an absolute hit with my guests and I will make it again for sure.
Gen
I just noticed that the Jump to Recipe option is there now, so I don’t know if it was just added or maybe I wasn’t seeing it before. Anyway, thanks!
Modern Honey
It was perfect timing! I have been considering adding it because I thought you all would love it and when I received your comment, I added it that night. I hope it is helpful for you!
Debbie
I made this for a family dinner last night and everyone loved it! I used the frozen Pillsbury pie crusts and had to use both since the filling made enough for two pies. I made the ganache with a whole bittersweet chocolate bar and the other ganache with melted semisweet chips. I think the bittersweet chocolate bar set better than the chips and was more glossy. Overall it was a crowd pleaser and super easy to make! Would definitely make it again! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
Carolina
This was a big hit at our family party and I will definitely make it again. Just delicious!!!
Kelly H.
Loved the flavor. It was delicious! But, I couldn’t cut into the pie without crushing the filling as the ganache was too hard. So my slices were not as pretty as yours. Luckily my guests didn’t mind ????
Gina Desimone
Hi! Any issues with the crust getting soggy if not served right away? I'm nervous about it getting soggy.
Diana
It was really delicious! I would not add orange zest next time but perfect otherwise!
Linda
So you don't whip the heavy cream up first & fold into the cheese & powdered sugar mixture? Thanks.
Modern Honey
Hi Linda! You don't have to whip it first. You just add it with the cream cheese and ricotta cheese and it whips up as you beat it for about 5 minutes. I hope that helps!
Linda
Yup that helps & thanks!
Judy
If you're really lazy like me the filling makes a great dip using broken waffle cones as scoops!! To be sure it's perfect for others use a spoon to taste test it.
Modern Honey
Ok this is so smart, Judy! I love that idea! I can just eat the filling by the spoonful. 🙂
Donna
This Pie looks so good. I know how to make Cannoli, I make them a lot, but never thought to turn it into a pie. Oh my goodness. My neighbors own a Italian Deli, and have for many years. She makes them all the time and taught me how to make them. Now I get to tell her about this amazing pie. I will just have to make it and gift it to her.
Thanks Melissa, this is one I will be making a lot. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Modern Honey
You are amazing, Donna! That is so incredible you can make cannolis. So impressive! Thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving, to you! I hope you have a wonderful day.