Description

Delight in these soft and chewy Cannoli Cookies, inspired by the classic Italian dessert. Made with creamy ricotta cheese, warm cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. They are easy to prepare, baked to soft perfection, and can be garnished with powdered sugar or other favorite toppings for a fun twist on a traditional favorite.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup ricotta cheese (drained if watery)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Mix-ins and Toppings

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
3 tbsp powdered sugar (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for a tender cookie texture.
Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg until fully combined. Then mix in the ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the batter is smooth and creamy.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to ensure an even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout.
Portion the Dough: Using a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie approximately 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they are set but still soft in the center. The cookies will not brown significantly, so rely on texture for doneness.
Cool and Garnish: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. Once cooled, garnish with your choice of powdered sugar, additional chocolate chips, orange zest, chopped pistachios, or melted chocolate for a delicious finishing touch.

Notes

Ensure the ricotta cheese is well-drained to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can make the cookies tough.
Cookie size affects baking time; using a 2 tbsp scoop helps achieve consistent results.
Cookies won’t brown much; check doneness by gently touching—the tops should be set but soft.
Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference for added flavor and texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American