Authentic Italian Cannoli 🇮🇹🍥🍫
Ingredients:
For the shells:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sweet white grape juice (or water with a splash of vinegar)
Oil, for frying
For the filling:
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (well-drained)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Optional: crushed pistachios or extra chocolate chips for garnish
Directions:
In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
Add egg yolk and grape juice gradually, mixing until a dough forms. Knead briefly, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough very thin and cut into 4-inch circles. Wrap each around a cannoli tube, sealing the edge with a bit of water.
Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the shells until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Cool before removing the tubes.
For the filling, mix ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in mini chocolate chips.
Fill each cooled shell with the ricotta mixture just before serving. Dip the ends in pistachios or extra chips if desired. Dust with a little powdered sugar.