Dessert · Italian ·

Sweet Italian Ricotta Cannoli with Cherry Compote

Name: Sweet Italian Ricotta Cannoli with Cherry Compote
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: All-purpose flour, 1 ¾ cups; Granulated sugar, 2 tbsp; Salt, ¼ tsp; Unsalted butter, cubed and chilled, 3 tbsp; Large egg, beaten, 1; Marsala wine, ½ cup; Vegetable oil, for frying; Whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained, 1 ½ cups; Powdered sugar, ¾ cup; Vanilla extract, 1 tsp; Mini chocolate chips, ½ cup; Fresh or frozen cherries, pitted, 2 cups; Sugar, ½ cup; Water, 2 tbsp; Lemon juice, 1 tbsp; Powdered sugar, for dusting; Fresh mint leaves, optional

These traditional Italian desserts combine crunchy cannoli shells with a smooth ricotta filling and a delightful cherry compote, making it a perfect sweet indulgence.

4.7(300 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 7, 2025

Sweet Italian Ricotta Cannoli with Cherry Compote — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Cannoli Shells

For the Ricotta Filling

For the Cherry Compote

For the Presentation

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 326 kcal
Protein: 5.5 g
Carbs: 44 g
Fat: 14.25 g
Fiber: 1.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3912 kcal
Protein: 67 g
Carbs: 530 g
Fat: 171 g
Fiber: 18 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
All-purpose flour 1 ¾ cups	800	23	170	2	6
Granulated sugar 2 tbsp	96	0	25	0	0
Salt ¼ tsp	0	0	0	0	0
Unsalted butter, cubed and chilled 3 tbsp	305	0	0	35	0
Large egg, beaten 1	70	6	1	5	0
Marsala wine ½ cup	130	0	13	0	0
Vegetable oil for frying	500	0	0	56	0
Whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained 1 ½ cups	540	32	20	40	0
Powdered sugar ¾ cup	300	0	75	0	0
Vanilla extract 1 tsp	12	0	1	0	0
Mini chocolate chips ½ cup	560	4	72	32	8
Fresh or frozen cherries, pitted 2 cups	160	2	40	1	4
Sugar ½ cup	385	0	100	0	0
Water 2 tbsp	0	0	0	0	0
Lemon juice 1 tbsp	4	0	1	0	0
Powdered sugar for dusting	50	0	12	0	0
Fresh mint leaves optional	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates and not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Cannoli Shell Dough

1
Combine dry ingredients
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
2
Cut in butter
Work in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3
Form dough
Add the egg and Marsala wine; mix until a dough forms.
Tip: Chill the shell dough for easier rolling.

Making the Ricotta Filling

1
Mix filling
In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Tip: Ensure the ricotta is well-drained to prevent runny filling.
2
Add chocolate chips
Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
3
Chill filling
Chill for at least 1 hour before using.

How to Make Sweet Italian Ricotta Cannoli with Cherry Compote

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 12 servings

1
Fry the shells
Roll out chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into rounds and wrap around cannoli tubes, sealing edges. Deep fry until golden brown.
2
Make the cherry compote
Simmer cherries with sugar, water, and lemon juice until thickened. Cool completely.
3
Fill the cannoli
Carefully pipe the ricotta filling into cooled shells just before serving.