If you adore the luscious flavors of Italian desserts but want something refreshingly simple yet impressive, the Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This pie captures all the creamy, sweet goodness of traditional cannoli filling with a playful twist of chocolate chips folded right in, all nestled into a crisp graham cracker crust. It’s a dessert that’s both sophisticated and wonderfully approachable, perfect for family gatherings, dinner parties, or even a cozy night in with a loved one.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for the Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe is delightfully straightforward, with each component playing a crucial role in building the pie’s signature creamy texture and balanced sweetness. From the rich ricotta and mascarpone cheeses that bring luxurious creaminess, to the mini chocolate chips adding bursts of chocolatey delight, each ingredient is carefully chosen to make this pie truly special.
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese: Provides a smooth, creamy base essential for authentic cannoli flavor and texture.
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese: Adds richness and a velvety texture that perfectly complements the ricotta.
- ¾ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling delicately without overpowering the cheeses.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the aroma and depth of the filling with warm, inviting notes.
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips: Introduce delightful chocolate bursts throughout the creamy filling.
- 1 pre-made graham cracker crust (9-inch): Provides a buttery, crisp foundation that contrasts beautifully with the soft filling.
- ½ cup heavy cream, whipped: Whipped to lighten the filling, creating a fluffy and airy consistency.
- Optional: chopped pistachios or extra chocolate chips for topping: Adds texture, color, and an extra flavor punch to the finished pie.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Filling
Begin by combining the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat everything together until the mixture turns smooth, creamy, and perfectly uniform. This step is key to achieving that classic cannoli filling texture that’s rich yet light.
Step 2: Add the Chocolate Chips
Next, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips into the creamy filling. Be careful not to overmix at this stage to keep those bites of chocolate delightfully intact and evenly distributed all through the pie.
Step 3: Lighten with Whipped Cream
Fold in the whipped heavy cream to the mixture. This step is crucial as it lightens the filling, making it airy and smooth rather than dense, which is a hallmark of a great cannoli-inspired dessert.
Step 4: Assemble in the Graham Cracker Crust
Pour the luscious filling evenly into your pre-made graham cracker crust, smoothing the top with a spatula for a clean, polished look. The crunchy crust complements the filling’s softness in every bite.
Step 5: Chill to Set
Refrigerate your pie for at least four hours or, ideally, overnight. This chilling time lets the filling set beautifully, allowing the flavors to meld together and the texture to firm up slightly for easy slicing.
Step 6: Add Finishing Touches
Before serving, sprinkle your pie with chopped pistachios or additional chocolate chips for an appealing pop of color and texture. These garnishes also add a lovely nutty crunch or extra chocolate sweetness.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Finally, slice your Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie into generous servings and serve chilled. This dessert is best enjoyed cold, offering a refreshing yet indulgent experience.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling chopped pistachios, extra mini chocolate chips, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect finishing touch both visually and flavor-wise. Not only do these garnishes enhance the presentation, but they also add delicious contrasting textures that delight every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair this pie with a cup of rich espresso, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the creamy texture and enhance the flavors. Light fruit salads or citrus segments can also provide a bright, fresh counterpoint to the pie’s richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in mini glass jars or martini glasses layered with crushed graham crackers and extra chocolate chips. This individualized presentation makes the pie feel even more special and festive for parties or elegant gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie can be covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to three days, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for busy hosts or families.
Freezing
While the pie tastes best fresh, you can freeze it for up to one month. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing to protect against freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture.
Reheating
Since this pie is served chilled, there’s no need to reheat it. Just take it out from the fridge and serve immediately for that irresistible creamy coolness every time.
FAQs
Can I make the pie without mascarpone cheese?
Yes, you can substitute mascarpone with additional ricotta, but keep in mind mascarpone adds a richer, creamier texture that’s somewhat unique to this recipe. Using all ricotta may result in a slightly less smooth filling.
Is it necessary to chill the pie overnight?
While chilling for at least four hours is essential, overnight chilling is ideal as it gives the flavors time to meld and the filling time to firm up properly for clean slices.
Can I use a homemade crust instead of a pre-made graham cracker crust?
Absolutely! A homemade graham cracker crust or even a cookie crust will work perfectly. Just make sure it is well chilled and firm before adding the filling for the best structure.
What type of chocolate chips works best?
Mini chocolate chips are perfect for this recipe due to their small size, which disperses evenly throughout the filling. You can use dark, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate chips based on your preference.
Can I add other nuts besides pistachios for the topping?
Yes, feel free to get creative! Crushed almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts all add lovely crunch and flavor contrasts to your Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that thrills both the eyes and palate without demanding hours of work, the Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe is your perfect go-to. It’s creamy, dreamy, and packed with delightful chocolate bites that make every forkful a moment to savor. Don’t wait to try making this at home—it’s sure to become a fast favorite at your table!
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Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Chocolate Chip Cannoli Pie is a creamy, no-bake dessert that combines the classic flavors of cannoli with a convenient graham cracker crust. Filled with a smooth mixture of ricotta and mascarpone cheeses, sweetened with powdered sugar, and studded with mini chocolate chips, this pie is lightened with whipped cream and chilled to perfection. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dessert ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream, whipped
Crust
- 1 pre-made graham cracker crust (9-inch)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped pistachios
- Extra chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring all the ingredients are well combined for a rich filling.
- Add Mini Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips to distribute them evenly without breaking them, adding delightful bursts of chocolate throughout the filling.
- Incorporate Whipped Cream: Carefully fold in the whipped heavy cream to lighten the filling, creating a fluffy and airy texture that balances the richness of the cheeses.
- Fill the Crust: Pour the prepared filling into the pre-made graham cracker crust, using a spatula to smooth the top evenly, setting the foundation for the pie’s classic texture.
- Chill the Pie: Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the filling to set firmly and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Toppings Before Serving: Just before serving, sprinkle chopped pistachios or extra chocolate chips on top if desired for added texture and decorative appeal.
- Serve: Slice the pie into 8 servings and serve chilled for a refreshing, creamy dessert experience.
Notes
- This pie requires several hours of chilling, so plan ahead.
- For a nut-free option, omit the pistachios topping.
- Use full-fat ricotta and mascarpone for the best creamy texture.
- Can be made a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Ensure the heavy cream is whipped to stiff peaks for proper lightening of the filling.
