The Best Cannoli Cookies Recipe for Holiday Baking
Soft, cake-like cookies with ricotta, citrus zest, and chocolate chips—just like a bite-sized cannoli
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese drained (whole milk works best)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange or lemon
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Dough
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter + sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in ricotta, egg, vanilla, and citrus zest.
- Gradually add dry mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Step 2: Chill
- Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.
- This keeps cookies from spreading too much.
- Step 3: Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake 12–14 minutes until edges set and centers look slightly soft.
- Cool 5 minutes on tray, then transfer to wire rack.
- Step 4: Finish
- Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar.
Notes
Always drain ricotta or cookies may spread flat.
Don’t skip citrus zest—it makes them taste like cannoli.
Use mini chips for better distribution in each bite.