This Trader Joe’s style Cannoli Dip is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with rich ricotta and mascarpone cheese. It’s the perfect party dip, a no-bake dessert that’s ready in just 10 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Cannoli Dip Ingredients
A simple list for an impressive and decadent dessert dip.
- 1 cup (8 oz) whole milk Ricotta Cheese
- 8 ounces Mascarpone Cheese or full-fat Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups Mini Chocolate Chips
For Serving:
- Waffle cone pieces or broken waffle bowls
- Butter cookies, shortbread cookies
- Fresh strawberries, apple slices
How To Make Trader Joe’s Cannoli Dip
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly quick and easy dessert.
- Prep and Combine Cheeses: It is crucial to drain any excess liquid from the ricotta cheese first. You can do this by placing it in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl for a few minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat the drained ricotta and the room-temperature mascarpone (or cream cheese) together with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Whip Until Fluffy: Add the powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla to the bowl. Whip for 2-3 minutes on medium speed, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and perfectly creamy.
- Fold in Chocolate and Serve: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips with a spatula. Serve immediately with your favorite dippers, or chill until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
For the smoothest, most authentic cannoli dip.
- How to get the creamiest dip? The two most important secrets are to drain the ricotta cheese well and to make sure your mascarpone or cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature. This will prevent a grainy or lumpy texture and ensure a silky-smooth result.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is the perfect make-ahead party dip! You can prepare it completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor will even get better as it sits.
- What’s the difference between Mascarpone and Cream Cheese? Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that is very rich, creamy, and has a slightly sweet, buttery flavor. American cream cheese is firmer and has a more pronounced tangy flavor. Both are delicious, but mascarpone will give you a more authentic and decadent result.
- How can I add more authentic cannoli flavor? As the recipe notes suggest, for a more traditional flavor, you can fold in a teaspoon of fresh orange zest, a pinch of cinnamon, or some finely chopped pistachios along with the chocolate chips.
What To Serve With Cannoli Dip
The perfect dippers for this sweet and creamy treat.
This fluffy, sweet dip is a guaranteed hit at any party. It pairs perfectly with a wide variety of dippers:
- For that classic “cannoli shell” crunch: Broken waffle cones, waffle bowls, or pizzelle cookies.
- Cookies: Simple butter cookies or shortbread.
- Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, apple slices, and pear slices are all fantastic.
How To Store Cannoli Dip
Keeping your delicious dip fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store the cannoli dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. It will firm up when chilled, so you may want to let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before serving.
Trader Joe’s Cannoli Dip Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 434kcal
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 24g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
A grainy texture in cannoli dip is almost always caused by excess water in the ricotta cheese. It is crucial to use a high-quality, thick, whole-milk ricotta and to drain any visible liquid from the container before you start.
It’s not recommended. For the richest, creamiest, most authentic texture, full-fat ricotta and full-fat mascarpone or cream cheese are essential. Low-fat versions have a higher water content and can result in a thinner, less flavorful dip.
The recipe notes suggest a great variation to mimic the plain Trader Joe’s dip: reduce the ricotta to 4 ounces, add 1 tablespoon of sour cream for extra tang, increase the sugar by 2 tablespoons, and omit the chocolate chips.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s Cannoli Dip Recipe
Course: AppetizersCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes434
kcalAn incredibly easy, 10-minute copycat recipe for Trader Joe’s famous Cannoli Dip. This creamy, no-bake dessert dip is made with ricotta, mascarpone, and mini chocolate chips.
Ingredients
1 cup (8 oz) whole milk Ricotta Cheese, drained
8 ounces Mascarpone Cheese or Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 to 1 1/2 cups Mini Chocolate Chips
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the drained ricotta and the softened mascarpone (or cream cheese) with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whip for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Serve immediately with waffle cone pieces, cookies, or fresh fruit, or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- It is crucial to drain any excess liquid from the ricotta and to use room-temperature cream cheese/mascarpone for the smoothest, non-grainy dip.
- This is a perfect make-ahead party dip; the flavor is even better the next day.
- For an authentic touch, add 1 teaspoon of orange zest or a pinch of cinnamon to the dip.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
