If you’re a fan of cannoli, you’re going to fall in love with cannoli pie. It takes everything you adore about the traditional Italian pastry, the creamy ricotta filling, the touch of sweetness, the chocolate chips, and turns it into a simple, sliceable dessert that’s perfect for any gathering.
Cannoli pie is a brilliant mashup of a cheesecake and a custard tart, without the fuss of deep-frying shells or filling them just before serving. The base is typically a buttery graham cracker or shortbread crust, but some bakers like to get creative and use crushed cannoli shells for extra authenticity.
The filling is the true star. It’s made with a rich blend of whole milk ricotta and mascarpone or cream cheese, sweetened just right with powdered sugar and flavored with a hint of vanilla or orange zest. Mini chocolate chips add texture and that signature cannoli taste. Some recipes fold in whipped cream for a lighter consistency, while others go denser and more cheesecake-like.
Once baked and cooled, cannoli pie can be topped with extra chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. For a decorative finish, try a swirl of whipped cream around the edges and a few maraschino cherries in the center. It’s festive, elegant, and irresistibly good.
This dessert is perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just because you want to impress your guests with something a little different. Best of all, it can be made ahead of time and chilled in the fridge, making your prep even easier.
Cannoli pie is all the comfort of cannoli in a creamy, dreamy slice. It’s a modern take on a classic that’s just as satisfying, no piping bags required.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup ricotta cheese whole milk
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup pistachios chopped
- 1 pre-made pie crust baked and cooled
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips and chopped pistachios.
- Pour the mixture into the pre-baked and cooled pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream over the cannoli mixture in the pie crust.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours before serving.
- Optional: garnish with additional chocolate chips and chopped pistachios before serving.
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OMG, this is the best dessert ever! Cannoli and pie??!! Genius! 😍
Mmmm… so good! 😋
My kids loved it! Especially the chocolate chips. Will make again for sure!
Too sweet for my taste, but my husband devoured it. So I guess it’s good?
Made this for my family gathering and it disappeared in minutes! Definitely a keeper!
Sounds delicious! I’m trying this for my next party. Thanks for sharing!
Really? It must be good, but I don’t know about all that ricotta. Isn’t it a bit too rich?
Yummy!! I added some orange zest and it was amazing! 🍊
Orange zest? That sounds like a cool twist! I’m gonna try that next time. Thanks for the tip! 🍊👍
First time I ever made a pie. It was okay but I think I messed up the crust. It’s kinda soggy.
I don’t bake much, but this was easy to follow. Thanks!
I don’t trust pre-made crusts, tho. Baking from scratch is real baking! 🙄
So glad to hear that it was easy for you! Cannoli pie is yum! 😊
Rich but not overly sweet. A hit at my party! But my cousin kept saying it tastes like cheesecake. Ever try a cannoli? LOL!
Used Greek yogurt instead of ricotta, was a mistake. Don’t do that.
Perfect dessert after dinner! Will make again, it’s a keeper!
I’m glad you loved it! It really is a delicious choice for dessert. Can’t wait to try making it myself!
Made this for my mom’s birthday. She said she doesn’t like pie but ate the whole slice!👏
Isn’t cannoli supposed to be in a tube? What’s with the pie? 🤔
I don’t know, the texture was kinda off for me… I expected something different. Might try again.
I understand what you mean! The texture can be a bit different if you’re used to traditional cannoli. Maybe try it with less ricotta next time?
I don’t know, it tastes kinda weird to me. Maybe I did something wrong?
Honestly, what’s the point of cannoli in a pie? It’s just a wannabe cannoli. Not impressed.
I was skeptical at first but wow, this is a game changer! Super easy to make too.
First time making a dessert like this. Came out pretty good but left out the nuts since I’m allergic.
Glad to hear it turned out well! Leaving out the nuts is smart if you’re allergic. The chocolate chips must have added great flavor!
Looks good, but isn’t a cannoli pie without nuts? How does it taste without them tho?
Too sweet for my taste. I think it needs less sugar.
Didn’t follow this recipe exactly but just threw everything together and it came out okay-ish. Maybe I’m not cut out for baking.
Yum! I made this for my family gathering and it was gone in minutes! Everyone loved it. Pistachios are a genius addition.
I don’t know about this recipe. Can you really call it a pie? Seems like a dessert salad to me.
This pie was amazing! So creamy and the chocolate chips added a perfect touch. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad you loved it! This is my go-to dessert for every occasion! 😊
I would rather just eat the cannoli traditional way, this pie seems too lazy.
Can I use almond extract instead of vanilla? Sounds good but I wanna give it my own twist!
This pie is fantastic! Delicious and easy to make. My family loved it!
I tried this recipe too and it was a hit! The creaminess and the crunch from the pistachios made it perfect. Definitely making it again!
Delicious!! But I used whipped cream from a can and it still turned out great!
Really? I thought it would be weird with canned whipped cream. But if you say it’s good, maybe I’ll give it a try. 🤔
I’m glad it turned out great! Whipped cream from a can is a good shortcut. 😄
I don’t know if this recipe is really worth the hassle. It seems too complicated for such a simple treat.
This pie is so delicious! Perfect balance of flavors. My family loved it!
Super easy to make! But I added more chocolate chips. Can’t go wrong with extra chocolate!!
OMG yum!!! Has anyone tried it with strawberries? I think I will add those next time! 🍓
You can’t go wrong with cannoli! This pie is so easy and looks fancy!
Made this for a party and it was gone in minutes! Everyone asked for the recipe.
This cannoli pie is a game changer! So creamy and delicious.
I didn’t understand why you gotta chill it for 3 hours? Can’t we just eat it right away??
This pie was a hit at the dinner! So rich and creamy, my family loved it!
Not sure if I trust this recipe… cannoli in a pie? What’s next, lasagna cupcakes?
I’m glad to hear that! This pie sounds delicious and perfect for family gatherings.
I forgot to add the pistachios. Is it still a cannoli pie? 😅
It didn’t taste as good as I thought. I thought it would be sweeter. My grandma’s cannoli is better.
I understand, sometimes recipes just don’t hit the sweet spot like family ones do. Maybe you could add more sugar next time?
Why does it have to chill for 3 hours? I want to eat it right now! 😩
I feel ya! Waiting is the worst! But the chill time makes it taste so much better. 😋
Can this be made without pistachios? Allergic here.😬
I think cannoli is better left as it is. This pie just didn’t do it for me. Tastes a bit bland honestly.
I dunno, I thought it would be more creamy… it was kinda dry for me. Needs more cheese!
Nah, I thought it was perfect as is. Too much cheese can make it heavy, y’know? Sometimes simple is better!
I get what you mean! I also think it could use more cheese for that creamy texture. Maybe next time try adding more ricotta? It could help!
Not what I expected. The ricotta flavor was too strong for me.
I’m sorry but I agree, ricotta is too much. Why is everyone obsessed with it? 🤷♂️
I actually love the strong ricotta flavor! Maybe try using less next time or a different cheese? Just a thought.
I added more pistachios and wow, it took it to the next level. Do it!
Sounds delicious! I love pistachios in desserts. Will definitely try this out!
It was okay but too much work for a pie. How is it even canoli?
I agree, it does seem like a lot of steps for a pie! But once you try it, you might think it was worth it. Cannoli is just a fun twist!
I don’t get it either. Where’s the cannoli shell? That’s what makes it a cannoli! Seems like they just slapped a name on it.
Ricotta?? I thought this was cheese pie, but it’s good anyway. Overwhelming sweetness tho.
This is the best recipe I ever tried. Love love love cannoli pie!
This Cannoli Pie is my new favorite dessert! So creamy and delicious!
This pie is like a party in my mouth! 🌟
I tried this recipe and it was delicious! Perfect balance of flavors. 🤤