Make Your Own Cannolis – Easy Cannoli Cream

Last Updated on June 16, 2021 by Ellen Christian

Wondering how to make your own cannolis? It’s easy! Make this easy cannoli cream and enjoy homemade cannolis for dessert today.

I love decadent dessert recipes like cannolis. I have to admit that I don’t splurge that often. But, when I do, I enjoy making them from scratch.

Have you had a chance to try any of my other dessert recipes? My Italian Easter Pie is another one of my favorite Italian dessert recipes. Or, this Italian Christmas Trifle is a decadent treat at any time of the year.

Tips to Make Classic Cannolis

Cannolis are the one dessert I remember most fondly from my childhood.  There was a little Italian bakery downtown that my mom and I would visit occasionally to buy cannolis.  

They were always a major treat because it wasn’t something that my mom ever made at home.  I had no idea that I could make my own cannolis at home but I recently received a PizzellePro and have learned I can.

How to make cannoli shells

So, the first thing that you need to do is to make the outer shell. With the PizzellePro, you will make a Pizzelle which is a flat Italian cookie.

When it’s still warm, you will wrap it around a cannoli tube to make it round. As it cools, it will hold the round tube-like shape. Or, you can simply fold them in thirds.

I used the recipe for the shells that came with the PizzellePro. If you want to make the shells without a PizzellPro, check out the video at the end. 

You can also buy premade cannoli shells if you do not want to make them yourself. Look in the frozen section or refrigerated section of your grocery store.

What do you dip cannolis in?

Traditionally, you will dip each end of the cannoli in something to make it look pretty. I’ve used mini chocolate chips in the past which are a hit with the kids. But, a classic Italian cannoli will be dipped in chopped pistachios with candied orange peel on one side.

But, I have also seen people use sprinkles. So, feel free to be as creative as you want to. When you make your own cannolis, it’s easy to use whatever toppings you want.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make cannoli shells without tubes

If you don’t have a cannoli tube, you can make your own. You will need a dowel and aluminum foil. Just wrap the foil around the dowel and use that instead. The dowel should be about 1 1/4″ around.

After these cool completely, you will make the easy cannoli cream recipe below and then pipe it into the cannoli shells. You will need a piping bag and tips to do this.

Should you refrigerate cannoli?

Don’t fill the cannoli shells too far in advance. Ideally, you should add the filling right before you serve them. Otherwise, the cannoli shells will get soggy. I would not make them ahead and refrigerate them for this reason. 

If you want to make the shells ahead of time, you can. Just store them in an airtight bag on the counter for up to two days. But, they are better fresh.

Easy Cannoli Cream

The cream filling in a cannoli is basically cream, ricotta cheese, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and corn starch to thicken if necessary. You will whip the cream until it has stiff peaks. Then, you will combine the rest of the ingredients carefully. And, you will need to pipe the filling into the cooled cannoli shells.

So, check out the recipe for easy cannoli cream and learn how to make your own cannolis today.