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Homemade Ricotta Cannoli Squares stacked on a plate, filled with creamy ricotta and mini chocolate chips, topped with powdered sugar.

Ricotta Cannoli Squares

5 from 1 vote
Creamy, bakery-style Ricotta Cannoli Squares layered on a buttery graham cracker crust, inspired by Rosa’s Italian bakery. A no-fry twist on classic cannoli with silky ricotta-mascarpone filling, chocolate chips, and optional pistachios.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Ricotta Draining Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 24 squares
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 265
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Graham Cracker Crust
  • 2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup Butter, melted
  • ¼ cup Granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
Ricotta Cheese Filling
  • 2 pounds Whole milk ricotta - drained 2–12 hours
  • 8 ounces Mascarpone cheese - softened
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Mini chocolate chips - reserve some for topping
  • Fresh lemon zest - optional “Rosa’s secret”
Topping
  • ½ cup Mini chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup Crushed cannoli shells - optional crunch
  • Powdered sugar - for dusting
  • Chopped pistachios - optional

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking pan (lined with parchment)
  • 1 Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer (for draining ricotta)
  • 1 Electric mixer (hand or stand)
  • 1 Offset spatula (for spreading filling)
  • 1 Sharp chef’s knife (for clean slicing)
  • 1 Mixing bowls (medium + large)

Method
 

  1. Place ricotta in a cheesecloth-lined strainer over a bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours to overnight until at least ½ cup liquid drains off. Ricotta should be thick and paste-like.
  2. Mix graham crumbs, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Press firmly into a parchment-lined 9×13 pan. Bake 10–12 minutes and cool completely.
  3. Beat drained ricotta and mascarpone until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Beat until fluffy, then fold in mini chocolate chips.
  4. Spread filling evenly over cooled crust. Tap the pan to remove air bubbles. Add remaining chocolate chips, crushed cannoli shells, and optional pistachios. Dust lightly with powdered sugar.
  5. Cover and chill at least 4 hours. Use parchment to lift out and slice with a hot, clean knife. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1squareCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 0.7mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

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