Experience pure dessert bliss with these cannoli ice cream treats! Delight in the perfect harmony of crispy cannoli shells and velvety ice cream that creates an irresistible cannoli dessert to captivate your taste buds.
Hey there, dessert lovers! Can we talk about how amazing cannoli ice cream treats are? I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of combining two of life’s greatest pleasures – cannoli and ice cream – into one incredible cannoli dessert?
Whether you call them ice cream cannoli, cannoli with ice cream, or even cannoli helado (love my Spanish-speaking friends!), this cannoli dessert is pure magic. I discovered this recipe last summer when I was desperately trying to impress my in-laws (spoiler alert: it worked!), and now it’s become my go-to treat whenever I want something that looks fancy but is actually super easy to make. Trust me, once you try these chocolate-dipped beauties, you’ll be making them all summer long!
What Makes This Cannoli Dessert So Special?
Unlike traditional cannoli filled with ricotta, this cannoli ice cream creation gives you that perfect contrast of textures – crispy, chocolatey shells meeting cold, creamy ice cream. It’s like eating a fancy gelato cone, but way more Instagram-worthy! Plus, cannoli with ice cream are make-ahead friendly, which means less stress when you’re hosting.
This cannoli dessert is perfect for anyone who loves the classic Italian treat but wants something extra refreshing for hot summer days.
What You’ll Need for Your Cannoli Ice Cream
Here’s the thing I love about this cannoli dessert recipe – you probably already have most of these ingredients, and the ones you don’t? They’re easy to find at any grocery store.
Essential Ingredients:
- Pre-made cannoli shells (trust me, save yourself the hassle!)
- Your favorite ice cream (about 1 quart for 12 cannoli)
- Chocolate coating (candy melts, Magic Shell, or melted chocolate chips)
- Coconut oil (if using chocolate chips)
Fun Topping Ideas:
- Rainbow sprinkles (because who doesn’t love sprinkles?)
- Crushed pistachios
- Mini chocolate chips
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Crushed toffee bits
- Freeze-dried strawberries
Pro tip: Keep the plastic tray your cannoli shells came in – it’s perfect for freezing your finished treats!
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cannoli with Ice Cream
Step 1: Prep Your Ice Cream
Let your ice cream sit out for about 10-15 minutes until it’s soft enough to pipe but not completely melted. This is the sweet spot where it’s workable but won’t make a mess everywhere (learned this the hard way!).
Step 2: Fill Those Shells
Here’s where it gets fun! You can use a piping bag, a plastic bag with the corner cut off, or honestly, just your hands if you’re feeling adventurous. I usually go with the plastic bag method because it’s less cleanup.
Gently pipe the ice cream into both ends of each cannoli shell until they’re nice and full. Don’t overstuff them – you want some room for the chocolate coating later. This is what makes the perfect cannoli ice cream balance!
Step 3: The First Freeze
Pop those filled cannoli into the freezer for at least an hour. This step is crucial for any cannoli dessert – it prevents your ice cream from melting when you dip them in chocolate. I usually make mine in the morning and let them freeze while I’m doing other things.
Step 4: Chocolate Magic Time
Melt your chocolate coating according to package directions. If you’re using chocolate chips, add a tablespoon of coconut oil to make it smooth and shiny.
Dip each frozen cannoli into the chocolate, making sure to coat the ends well. This is where you can get creative with toppings – sprinkle them on while the chocolate is still wet!
Step 5: Final Freeze and Serve
Back into the freezer they go for another 30 minutes to set the chocolate. When you’re ready to serve, let them sit out for just 2-3 minutes so they’re not rock-hard.
Best Ice Cream Flavors for Your Cannoli Dessert
While vanilla and chocolate are classics (and totally delicious), don’t be afraid to get creative with your cannoli ice cream! Here are some combinations that have been huge hits:
- Pistachio ice cream with crushed pistachios
- Strawberry ice cream with freeze-dried strawberries
- Salted caramel with toffee bits
- Mint chocolate chip with mini chocolate chips
- Cookies and cream with crushed Oreos
Storage Tips for Your Cannoli Ice Cream
These cannoli with ice cream will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months when stored properly. I like to wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then store them in an airtight container. Perfect for when unexpected guests drop by and you want to serve an impressive cannoli dessert!
Traditional vs. Cannoli Ice Cream
Sometimes you might want to switch things up with traditional ricotta filling instead of ice cream. Here’s my go-to recipe that works perfectly for either style of cannoli dessert:
Simple Ricotta Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional but so good!)
Just whisk everything together until smooth and use the same filling method. You can even freeze these too!
Troubleshooting Your Cannoli with Ice Cream
- Ice cream too soft? Pop it back in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Chocolate not sticking? Make sure your cannoli ice cream treats are frozen solid before dipping.
- Shells getting soggy? Don’t fill them too far in advance – ice cream can make cannoli dessert shells soft over time.
Commonly Asked Questions
When stored properly in an airtight container, this cannoli dessert will stay fresh for up to 2 months. Though honestly, they never last that long in my house!
Absolutely! This cannoli dessert is actually better when made a day ahead. The flavors meld together beautifully, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about when entertaining.
Check the bakery section, international foods aisle, or ask at the deli counter. Most grocery stores carry them, but you might need to hunt a little. Online ordering is always an option too!
Of course! This cannoli ice cream recipe works great with any type of ice cream. I’ve made them with coconut milk ice cream for my lactose-intolerant friends, and they were a hit.
This usually happens when there’s too much temperature difference. Let your cannoli ice cream treats sit out for a minute or two before dipping, and make sure your chocolate isn’t too hot.
Similar Recipes
If you like ice cream treat recipes like this, you will enjoy the recipes below:
- Drumstick Ice Cream Cake
- Snickers Ice Cream Cake
- Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie
- Birthday Ice Cream Cake
- Mississippi Mud Ice Cream Cake
Cannoli Ice Cream Recipe | Easy Cannoli Dessert with Ice Cream
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Make amazing cannoli with ice cream at home! This cannoli dessert recipe is perfect for summer – easy, delicious & impressive.
Ingredients
- 6 Cannoli Shells
- 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream or preferred flavor
- 1 lb. Milk Chocolate and/or White Chocolate Coating
- Toppings: Sprinkles, chopped nuts, chopped pistachios, mini chocolate chips, toffee pieces
Instructions
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes until softened.
- Use a spoon, scrape some ice cream from the container, and stuff the cannoli carefully so it doesn’t break. It is best to use your hands to stuff the cannolis. Make sure you do both sides of the cannoli.
- Once the cannolis are stuffed, smooth the ends and place them on a baking sheet or back into the plastic tray. Place them back in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
- Melt the chocolate coating and use a spoon to spoon some of the chocolate on the side of the cannolis. Don’t dip the ice cream into the chocolate because it can begin to curdle.
- Place the topping inside a small ramekin or bowl. Once the cannolis are covered with chocolate, immediately dip the cannoli into the toppings and place them back onto the baking sheet or plastic tray.
- Once the cannolis are complete, place them back into the freezer for 1-2 hours or until ready to serve.
Notes
- If you use your hands, I recommend using plastic disposable gloves.
- You can also use the magic shell chocolate coating on the ends as well, but you will have to move even faster to sprinkle with your desired toppings.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freeze
- Cuisine: Italian
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