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Red Velvet Cannoli with Cream Cheese Filling and Chocolaty Garnishes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 87 reviews

Indulge in a festive twist on a classic Italian dessert with these Red Velvet Cannoli. Featuring crisp, cocoa-infused fried shells tinted with vibrant red food coloring, filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture lightly flavored with vanilla, and garnished with mini chocolate chips and pistachios, these cannoli offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors perfect for holidays or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Red Velvet Cannoli Shells:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 2–3 drops red gel food coloring
  • 4–6 tbsp ice water
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 2–3 drops red gel food coloring

Garnishes:

  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup finely crushed pistachios
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Dutch-process cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
  2. Add Liquids: Mix in the white vinegar and red gel food coloring. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until the dough comes together in a cohesive ball.
  3. Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up, making it easier to roll out.
  4. Form Shells: Roll the chilled dough out to ⅛-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut into 4-inch circles.
  5. Wrap Around Tubes: Wrap each dough circle around a greased cannoli tube, sealing the edge with a little water or an egg wash to keep it in place while frying.
  6. Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Fry Shells: Carefully fry 2–3 dough-wrapped tubes at a time in the hot oil for 3–4 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool completely before removing tubes.
  8. Make Filling: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and heavy cream; beat until mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. Optionally add 2–3 drops of red gel food coloring for a more vibrant filling color.
  9. Chill Filling: Refrigerate the cream cheese filling for at least 1 hour to firm up.
  10. Fill Shells: Transfer chilled filling to a piping bag and pipe into both ends of each cooled cannoli shell until filled.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Dip the filled ends of each cannoli into mini chocolate chips and crushed pistachios. Dust with powdered sugar and a light sprinkle of Dutch-process cocoa powder. Serve immediately or store unfilled shells and filling separately until ready to assemble.

Notes

  • You can prepare the dough and filling up to 2 days in advance and store separately—wrap dough tightly and refrigerate; keep filling covered in the fridge. Assemble just before serving to keep shells crispy.
  • Ensure frying oil temperature stays at 350°F for crisp shells; under-frying or incorrect temperature softens shells.
  • You can bake the cannoli shells by brushing dough-wrapped tubes with oil and baking at 400°F for 12–15 minutes for a lighter, less crispy alternative.
  • Use FDA-approved red gel food coloring for safe, bright colors or natural alternatives like beet powder, noting natural color may be more muted.
  • Do not freeze filled cannoli as moisture will make shells soggy; freeze only unfilled shells if needed.
  • If cannoli tubes are unavailable, sturdy metal or wooden tubes or even thick cardboard tightly wrapped with foil can substitute in a pinch.

Keywords: red velvet cannoli, cream cheese filling, fried dessert, Italian dessert, red velvet dessert, homemade cannoli, holiday dessert

Find it online: https://recipeswithria.com/red-velvet-cannoli-with-cream-cheese-filling-and-chocolaty-garnishes-recipe/