ITALIAN CANNOLIS

 

EASY CANNOLI RECIPE

 

 

 

THIS RECIPE MAKES 6 LARGE CANNOLIS

INGREDIENTS

 

ONE 15 OUNCE CONTAINER FULL MILK RICOTTA CHEESE DRAINED OVERNIGHT IN CHEESECLOTH

 

ONE BAG MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS FOR FILLING AND CHOCOLATE DIPPED CANNOLI SHELLS

 

SPRINKLES FOR GARNISH

 

TWO CUPS POWDERED SUGAR

 

1 TSP ORANGE EXTRACT
1 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT

 

DIRECTIONS

DRAIN YOUR RICOTTA CHEESE OVERNIGHT WITH CHEESECLOTH. THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT OR ELSE YOUR FILLING WILL BE WET AND RUNNY!

YOU CAN BUY CHEESECLOTH @ WALMART OR A CRAFT STORE.

 

YOU NEED TO HANG IT OVER A BOWL DEEP ENOUGH SO IT CAN DRAIN THE LIQUID OUT OF THE CHEESE.

STEP 2. COMBINE THE RICOTTA CHEESE , SUGAR , EXTRACTS AND CHOCOLATE CHIPS IN A MIXING BOWL USING A FORK OR SPOON ( SOME RECIPES CALL FOR A MIXER BUT I FIND THE MIXER MAKES IT TOO LIQUIDY!) OK SO YOUR FILLING IS COMPLETE! EASY RIGHT? IF YOUR FILLING IS STILL LOOSE DONT BE AFRAID TO ADD A LITTLE FLOUR TO THICKEN IT UP!

OK SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT VERY ITALIAN LIKE BUT I WILL CONFESS THAT I DO NOT FRY MY OWN CANNOLI SHELLS I BUY THEM PREMADE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL  SECTION OF THE GROCERY STORE! ALESSI BRAND IS GREAT ! CRISPY AND LIGHT I DO HOWEVER DIP THE ENDS IN MELTED CHOCOLATE AND GARNISH WITH SPRINKLES . FREEZE AFTER YOU GARNISH FOR 10 MINUTES TO SET THE CHOCLOLATE AND THAN PIPE YOUR RICOTTA FILLING WITH A PIPING BAG! SPRINKLE POWDERED SUGAR ON TOP!

 

 

 



Italian strufoli or Honey Balls

Italian Strufoli Honey Balls

An Italian Christmas Favorite

 

2 1/2 c flour                                                                                               

4 eggs                                                                                                

1 egg yolk                                                                                               

1/4 c shortening                                                                                               

1/2T sugar                                                                                               

1T baking powder                                                                                               

dash salt                                                                                               

1/2 t. lemon zest                                                                                               

2 C vegetable oil                                              

1 1/2 C honey                                                                                               

1t orange zest                                                                                               

colored sprinkles

almond slices and candied cherries (optional) 

Place flour on board, making a well in the center.

Place eggs, egg yolk, shortening, sugar, salt and lemon peel into the well.

Mix well, working the dough with your hands.

Shape into very small balls, the size of marbles.

Let the dough balls rest about 15-20 minutes, covered with damp paper towels, while you heat the oil in a deep stock pot.

Drop the balls, a few at a time into the hot oil (350 degrees) until golden brown.

They'll float, just turn them around a bit for even browning.

Melt honey in a saucepan and add orange zest.

As soon as the balls are fried, take them from the oil directly to the honey pot

Lift them out of the honey with a slotted spoon, placing them on a serving platter

Sprinkle with sprinkles while the honey is warm.