Cannoli Cheesecake

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My cannoli cheesecake features an amazing cannoli cone crust filled with a rich and creamy cannoli filling. It tastes like your favorite Italian bakery treat in cheesecake form!

a closeup of a slice of cannoli cheesecake with chocolate chips and whipped cream.

We love cannoli around here. In the past, I've shared a cannoli poke cake, a dip, cannoli pie, and cannoli cupcakes. But this cannoli cheesecake might be my favorite yet. It takes everything you love about the two desserts and combines them. I used a classic graham cracker crust amped up with cannoli shells. It adds great crunch and flavor.

Then it is filled with a creamy ricotta/mascarpone filling for authentic flavor. Finally, it's topped with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate chips. Chocolate chips are my favorite, but you could also use pistachios or even crumbled cannoli shells. You can even make it one day in advance for parties or birthdays.

❤️Why I Can't Get Enough Of This Cheesecake

  • Unique Flavors: The ricotta and mascarpone provide a unique sweet and tangy flavor.
  • Perfect Crust: Graham crackers provide stability, and the cannoli shells add great flavor and a bit of crunch.
  • Smooth and Crack-Free Every Time: Follow my tips to prevent cracks and ensure your cheesecake comes out perfect every time.
a slice of ricotta cheesecake topped with chocolate chips and powdered sugar on a black plate.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

ingredients including cannoli shells, ricotta, butter, mascarpone, and cinnamon.
  • Graham Crackers: I crushed mine in a plastic baggie with a rolling pin.
  • Cannoli Shells: Look for these in the Italian aisle or grab some fresh from your local Italian bakery.
    • If you can't find them an equal amount of crushed waffle cones would also work.
  • Ricotta: I suggest using whole milk Ricotta for the creamiest texture. Look for it in the dairy section near the sour cream. If it seems particularly watery, you can drain it through cheesecloth before adding it to the recipe.
  • Mascarpone: It contains more fat than typical American cream cheese.
    • If you can't find it, you can use cream cheese, but the flavor and texture will not be the same. 
  • Chocolate Chips: Stick to the mini version so you don't get a big bite of cold, large chocolate chips.

FAQs

What If I Don't Have A Large Roasting Pan?

Large disposable aluminum pans, like the ones used for roasting turkeys, are affordable and can work well for a water bath.

a slice of ricotta cheesecake topped with whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.

️Krystle's Tips and Tricks️

  1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps ensure a smooth lump free cheesecake. Just sit everything out for around 15-20 minutes before you want to begin baking.
  2. Do not overbake: Cheesecake is done when the edges are set, but the center is still a little jiggly. It will continue to firm up as it cools.
  3. Don't skip the water bath: It will create steam to help your cheesecake cook evenly and stay moist. It also prevents cracks.
    • Always use hot, not cold, water to avoid accidentally lowering your oven temperature.
  4. Avoid sudden temperature changes: Gradually cooling helps prevent cracks. Leave cheesecake in the oven for 30 minutes with the door closed and the oven turned off.
    • Then leave it in for 30 more minutes with the door open.
    • Cool completely before refrigerating. 
    • Keeping it away from drafts is also always a good idea.

No Peeking!

Avoid opening the oven door while baking for the same reasons mentioned above.

a graham cracker crust filled with ricotta cheesecake filling and topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

More Cheesecakes To Try

📖 Recipe

Ultimate Cannoli Cheesecake

Rich and creamy Italian cheesecake topped with plenty of chocolate chips. Your favorite Italian dessert in cheesecake
5 from 54 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 10 Slices
Calories: 614kcal

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Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • 1 Cup Cannoli Shells Crushed
  • ½ Cup Butter Melted
  • 3 Tablespoons White Sugar

For the Filling

  • 20 Ounces Ricotta Cheese
  • 12 Ounces Mascarpone Cheese
  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon Ground
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • 4 Eggs

For The Whipped Cream

  • ½ Cup Heavy Cream
  • 5 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons Ricotta Cheese
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • Mini Chocolate Chips/Powdered Sugar for Garnish If Desired
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Instructions

For the Crust

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9 inch spring form pan with parchment paper. Spray sides with non stick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, mix graham crumbs, crushed cannoli shells, melted butter, and sugar until well combined. Press into the bottom of prepared pan.
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Wrap pan in aluminum foil (we used a double layer).

For the Filling

  • Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth and creamy. Stir in cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
  • Add in eggs one at a time, until just combined. Do not over mix.
  • Evenly spread batter into crust.
  • Place spring form pan inside a large roaster filled with warm water. Water should only go about halfway up the pan.
  • Bake for 105-115 minutes or until the edges are set. Turn off the oven, and leave cheesecake sit in oven for 30 minutes.
  • Crack open over door, and leave cheesecake sit for another 30 minutes.
  • Cool completely.

For the Whipped Cream

  • In a large chilled bowl, use a chilled whisk to whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, ricotta cheese, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  • Evenly spread whipped cream over cheesecake. Top with mini chocolate chips and powdered sugar if desired.
  • Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
  • Cannoli Shells: Look for these in the Italian aisle or grab some fresh from your local Italian bakery.
    • If you can't find them an equal amount of crushed waffle cones would also work.
  • Ricotta: I suggest using whole milk Ricotta for the creamiest texture. Look for it in the dairy section near the sour cream. If it seems particularly watery, you can drain it through cheesecloth before adding it to the recipe.
Tips and Tricks
  1. Do not overbake: Cheesecake is done when the edges are set, but the center is still a little jiggly. It will continue to firm up as it cools.
  2. Don't skip the water bath
  3. Avoid sudden temperature changes: Leave cheesecake in the oven for 30 minutes with the door closed and the oven turned off. Then leave it in for 30 more minutes with the door open.
  4. 4No peeking: Avoid opening the oven door while baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 614kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 315mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 1302IU | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 1mg
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a whole ricotta  in a cannoli cone and graham cracker crust with one slice missing.
5 from 54 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




49 Comments

  1. Beautiful Touches says:

    5 stars
    This cannoli cheese cake looks delicious! I'm going to have to give making this a try, I love cannoli!

  2. 5 stars
    this sounds absolutely like a dream come true 🙂 two things i love together

  3. 5 stars
    OMG! Wow this looks so delicious and I like how easy it ease to make. I wouldn’t mind making this for some of our family summer parties

  4. Hannah Bures says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! I love to bake and cant wait to bake this for my family. I do love a good cheesecake recipe.

  5. 5 stars
    I loooooved the flavor in this recipe. Actually, my whole family did. I had to make a double batch!

  6. 5 stars
    This Cannoli Cheesecake is a dream come true! It combines two of my favorite desserts into one. The ricotta was so smooth, and the chocolate chips gave it a lovely texture.

  7. 5 stars
    This was the first time I made cannoli cheesecake and I think it's my family's new favorite dessert now! It was so good and very easy to make!

  8. Lavanda Michelle says:

    5 stars
    My family adores cannoli, so this is right up our alley. I love how you've combined the best of both worlds with the cannoli shells and creamy filling. Can't wait to give it a try for our next family get-together!

  9. Melanie E says:

    5 stars
    That sounds like such an interesting and different cheesecake. I'd really love to try this!!

  10. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says:

    5 stars
    After tasting this, I'm now already planning to make it again! The combination of of the cannoli cone crust and creamy filling was absolutely irresistible! I can't wait to indulge in another slice!

  11. This looks so amazing. I have got to get these ingredients so I can make this. I think my family will love this too.

  12. Amber Myers says:

    5 stars
    You had me at cannoli. I just love them! I'd love this cheesecake too. It looks delish.

  13. 5 stars
    Ahh! This is so amazing. I love cannoli and cheesecake in equal measure, so this was an absolute joy. I made it last night, and it's gone.

  14. Tara Pittman says:

    5 stars
    My son loves making cheesecake. He will be trying this recipe.

  15. 5 stars
    This was perfection, so happy to have found you... came out just as you said.. ty.