“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” Peter Clemenza says this to Rocco who just killed Paulie in the 1972 movie The Godfather. A tubular pastry shell filled with a chilled ricotta, mascarpone cheese, or custard filling, the cannoli has been a popular Italian dessert originating in Polermo.

These cannoli from Colanglo's bakery in Pittsburgh's Strip District are dipped in chocolate. A typical plain cannoli is filled with ricotta cheese and dipped in crushed pistachios. Cannoli are now made with various flavors and toppings.
These beautiful cannoli are from Colanglo’s Bakery in Pittsburgh’s Strip District are filled and dipped in chocolate shavings. A typical plain cannoli is filled with ricotta and is dipped in crushed pistachios. Cannoli are now made with various flavors and toppings.

A twist on traditional cannoli, the sweet chilled cannoli filling can be used in other dessert favorites.

I found this cannoli cupcake at Little Italy Days in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
I found this cannoli cupcake at Little Italy Days in Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Look at the creamy delicious cannoli filling-  Made by Patti's Pastries in Aliquippa, PA.
Look at the creamy delicious cannoli filling- Made by Patti’s Pastries in Aliquippa, PA.

Here is another version of the cannoli dessert:

Cannoli Sandwich Cookies:
(makes 18 whole sandwiches)

Ingredients: Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. Vanilla extract

2 cups All Purpose flour (or substitute 1 cup oat flour and 1 cup All Purpose flour)
2 tbsp. Baking soda
1-1/2 tbsp. Cocoa powder
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Ingredients: Cannoli Filling
2 cups ricotta cheese
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. Vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients except chocolate chips and set aside.

Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs and vanilla.

The wet ingredients will create a fluffy mixture when creamed.
The wet ingredients will create a fluffy mixture when creamed.

Slowly add dry ingredients mixing on low speed.

Fold in chocolate chips using a spatula.

Cookie dough
Cookie dough

On parchment paper lined cookie sheets drop 1 tbsp. Dough and space 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies are set and darken a bit.

Let the cookies cool for a few  minutes before moving them to the cooling rack.
Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before moving them to the cooling rack.

Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.

Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips for the cannoli filling.

Feel free to use just ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla. The mascarpone gives the filling a heavier texture.
Feel free to use just ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla.
The mascarpone gives the filling a heavier texture.

Spoon onto one cookie and top with another to create a sandwich .

These cannoli sandwich cookies are a delicious alternative to cannoli rolls. Something different!
These cannoli sandwich cookies are a delicious alternative to cannoli rolls. Something different!

Roll cookies on plate of chocolate chips to coat.

 

Serve chilled. Enjoy!
Serve chilled. Enjoy!

Ciao!