Cannoli – Recipe!

If you have been following my travels, you know I just got back from a few weeks in Sicily.  During my stay I had the opportunity to fall in love with the sights, sounds and people of this beautiful island and what I learned about food was amazing.

Cannoli are fried pastries filled with ricotta cheese, sweetened with sugar and sometimes flecked with chocolate, orange or other flavorings.  You see them a lot in Little Italy in New York City and I actually learned how to make Cannoli in pastry school, but I haven’t made them again, until this past week.  Cannoli are eaten for breakfast in Sicily – yes!  I think I must of been born a Sicilian in a previous life because I do not prefer American breakfast so much, but desserts, especially Cannoli – I can get my brain around.

These special treats are not difficult to prepare, they just have a few steps that need to be followed in order to be successful.  The satisfaction of making Cannoli is endless, so give it a try – they might become your favorite new breakfast?!

Ingredients

Dough

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1/2 cup white wine

1/2 quart vegetable oil

Filling

1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese, sheep’s milk if you can find it

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

zest of 1/2 an orange

2 ounces shaved chocolate

(Makes 8 Cannoli)

To Prepare:

1. In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine all Dough dry ingredients, mix on low for 1 minute.  Add oil, vinegar and wine and mix again on low until mixture just begins to come together (it will look a little dry).
2. Remove dough from mixer and wrap in plastic, press into a disc.  Place on counter to rest for 30 minutes.
3. On flour dusted counter, roll dough out into a large circle, about 1/4 inch thick.  Using a round bowl or cutter, cut out 5-inch circles, about eight.  Place on sheet pan, set aside.
4. In a large pot, add oil and place over medium-high heat.  When oil reaches 350 degrees, it’s ready.
5. Wrap cannoli circle around metal cylinder (can be purchased online or at pastry shops), sealing with water.
6. Drop cannoli into oil, seal side down, and let cook until golden brown, about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes.  Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate.  When cool enough to handle, remove tube and place on rack to cool to room temperature.
7. In a stand mixer or bowl, add ricotta, powdered sugar, vanilla and orange zest and mix on low for 1 minute.  Fold shaved chocolate in filling by hand and place filling in a pastry bag or large zip-lock bag.  Pipe into cannoli just before serving.  Enjoy!