Cannoli Cake

Sunday, June 12, 2011
Our homemade marble cake with this cannoli filling is the Best Italian Cannoli Cake we've ever had and we live around lots of 5-star bakeries in Utica, New York.

This easy cannoli filling is full of fresh ingredients including ricotta, and mascarpone cheese and the top of the cake is even brushed with a little Marsala wine just like the popular bakery Italian cannoli pastry.

There are many other ingredients found in the original style cannoli you can add but we made this a delicate taste without all the candied fruits but added a dash of cinnamon to the filling and it's perfect for our taste.

If you're not familiar with the popular cannoli, the pastry is tubular in form and filled with a creamy ricotta filling and sweetened (you may want to try our Homemade Ricotta sometime)

Although we make everything from scratch (like our marble cake and filling) you can also use your favorite cake mix in a pinch by just using our topping. as the cannoli filling can be used in cupcakes, sheet cakes, and a filling for layer cakes.

Scroll down to our recipe card for the printable instructions and make your next birthday cake or special party event a huge hit with this decadent Italian-filled cake.


marble cake filled with cannoli cream





marble cake filled with cannoli cream


Cannoli History



The traditional cannoli originated in the Sicilian city of Palermo.


It has been believed that the filling originated from the Saracens, which were ancient Arabic people when they brought sugar cane to the region.


The Sicilians as Cappeli de Turchi or Turkish hats made these pastry desserts. The little tube-like flaky pastry is an essential part of Sicilian cuisine.


For many years, pastry chefs made used the filling for many other desserts including cakes, and cream puffs, and became a specialty in many Italian bakeries across the globe.


Feel free to adapt the filling to your preference and version you've had, ours is simple to make, creamy, and full of cannoli flavor.


If you're a cannoli lover here are a few of our favorites to try: Best Cannoli Pie, Cannoli Mousse.

these are the ingredients to make cannoli cake




Ingredients You Will Need:


  • milk
  • Ricotta whole milk
  • vanilla
  • cinnamon
  • salt
  • sugar
  • mini chocolate chips
  • heavy cream
  • Optional garnish: use a cake Marble Cake Mix or Use our homemade from scratch recipe below


batter to make marble cake


Tips and Suggestions

  • brush the cake while warm with butter and marsala wine with mini chocolate chips
  • add  candied fruits of chopped maraschino cherries blotted dry to the filling
  • whole strawberries make a very nice presentation on birthday cakes
  • fill the middle of cupcakes instead of a whole cake
  • make a layer cake
  • use only real heavy cream for the topping 
  • drizzle the whipped cream with hot fudge sauce and pistachios recipe for warmed hot fudge sauce!



making cannoli filling for a cake


Garnishing Suggestions



  1. mini chips 
  2. toasted slivered almonds
  3. pizzelle cookies crumbled
  4. almond-flavored cookies crushed
  5. hot fudge
  6. chopped kit kat bars
  7. crushed cinnamon graham crackers
  8. pistachios chopped
  9. maraschino cherries


marble cake baked


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pin for later cannoli cake


Best Cannoli Cake Ever


Don't wait to try this delicious cake for someone special, it's truly the best ever.


Get creative and change cake flavors, make cupcakes, use a mix, just try this Italian creamy dreamy filling, it's a great choice for any party.


Let me know how you like it, we love your comments!


Cannoli Cake

Cannoli Cake

Yield: 14
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 40 MinTotal time: 55 Min
Our cannoli filled marlbe cake has all the flavors of the original pastry with a creamy filling and delicious whip Perfect for hosting any special party or event.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 - 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon. baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon. baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon of almond extract
  • 1 1/4 cups milk, half and half sour milk, or buttermilk
  • 1 cup of mini chocolate chip
  • 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • After the cake is cooked brush with:
  • 1/4 cup marsala wine mixed with 1 tablespoon of butter on top
  • Note: While this cake is baking make the cannoli filling and refrigerate it.
  • Cannoli filling.
  • 2 cups whole milk Ricotta drained using a coffee filter or cheesecloth
  • 2 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese at room temperature (or use full-fat cream cheese)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • Topping:
  • 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease or (line with parchment paper) a spring form pan, a 13 x 9 sheet cake pan, or two 8-inch pans using the same method.
  3. Mix the butter, and sugar together until light.
  4. Add flour, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and milk.
  5. Beat till smooth, around three minutes, split batter into two bowls.
  6. Add the unsweetened cocoa powder to one bowl and mix until blended.
  7. Start with a small amount of vanilla cake batter on the bottom, add a dollop of chocolate batter in the center, and swirl around with a knife (for the marble effect).
  8. Do not stir.
  9. Bake at 350 degrees for around 40 minutes till done, test with a toothpick if it comes out clean in the center.
  10. When the cake comes out of the oven sprinkle with mini chips.
  11. As notated above brush the top of the hot cake with melted butter and marsala wine.
  12. Cannoli Filling Topping:
  13. Spread cannoli filling over cooled cake, this can be used in layers or on top of a whole cooled cake.
  14. For the whipped cream, beat the cream with sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  15. Top the entire cake with whipped cream.
  16. Optional: garnish with strawberries or other fresh fruit. and more mini chocolate chips
  17. Garnish Option: toasted almonds sliced

Notes

Garnishing Suggestions



  1. mini chips 
  2. toasted slivered almonds
  3. pizzelle cookies crumbled
  4. almond-flavored cookies crushed
  5. hot fudge
  6. chopped kit kat bars
  7. crushed cinnamon graham crackers
  8. pistachios chopped
  9. maraschino cherries


Tips and Suggestions


  • brush the cake while warm with butter and marsala wine with mini chocolate chips
  • add candied fruits of chopped maraschino cherries blotted dry to the filling
  • whole strawberries make a very nice presentation on birthday cakes
  • fill the middle of cupcakes instead of a whole cake
  • make a layer cake
  • use only real heavy cream for the topping 
  • drizzle the whipped cream with hot fudge sauce and pistachios


Nutrition Facts

Calories

504.02

Fat (grams)

25.49

Sat. Fat (grams)

14.78

Carbs (grams)

62.53

Fiber (grams)

1.84

Net carbs

60.69

Sugar (grams)

33.11

Protein (grams)

6.32

Sodium (milligrams)

301.63

Cholesterol (grams)

81.94
cannoli cake, Italian cannoli cake, cannoli cake with cannoli filling, marble cake with cannoli topping
marble cake recipes, cannoli recipes, Italian cake recipes, scratch cake recipes, cannoli filling recipes
Italian, American


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pin for later cannoli cake


Some Other Recipes You May Like



Cannoli Tarts


Cannoli Stuffed French Toast


St. Joseph's Day Pastry


Cannoli Filled Chocolate Cake


Cannoli Cupcakes


Italian Cannoli New York Style Recipe


marble cake filled with cannoli cream


58 comments

  1. Happy birthday to your son, dear.
    The cake you have prepared for him is absolutely amazing. I'm mouthwatering :D! Bye bye, have a great Sunday

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  2. happy birthday and happiness for your sun,claudia!the cake looks heavenly!

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  3. Happy birthday to Chad :) This is a great treat to celebrate the birthday ..looks so delicious!

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  4. Happy birthday to Chad... You really don't look like you have a 31year old son.

    That cake must be delicious and it looks fantastfic ;)

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  5. Happy birthday! I love this deconstructed cannoli cake!

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  6. Happy birthday to your son! My hucsband loves cannoli's too. This cake will be perfect for his birthday later this month. Thank you!

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  7. Happy Birthday Chad!
    This is a cake that I will never make, because I can see myself eating it. When my wife and I were in Milan, we bought cannoli's from the street vendors and they were so good. Pistachio and mini chocolate chips were our favorites. See Claudia I do eat non-healthy once in a while.

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  8. Mmm, that cake does look de-licious!

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  9. Happy birthday to you son.The cake must be delicious..
    Bye have a great Sunday.

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  10. I LOVE Cannolis!! This would make my day!
    Happy Birthday to your Son!

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  11. Happy birthday to Chad! Cannoli plus cake plus strawberries in the perfect summer celebration cake! Looks summer sensational!

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  12. Happy Birthday to Chad!!! Can't believe that you have a 31-year-old son!
    The cake looks really appealing and delectable!

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  13. Happy birthday to your son, this cake looks so good, I want a piece right now. Great alternative to making cannolis and perfect for the summer.

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  14. I want this for my birthday! Fantastic cake :)

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  15. Are you for hire.......
    Someday Chris and I will get married. I have a huge sicilian family and we all would just melt over your dishes!
    Your photgraphy is amazing if I could only just reach in the monitor and grab a taste.........

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  16. Hi Claudia, It's amazing how time flies! My oldest will be 30 next year. Your cannoli cake is a great alternative to messing with the cannoli shells. Keeping this one for sure!

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  17. Happy Birthday to Chad! Tell him to save me a piece of cake - Haha - looks heavenly!

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  18. Happy Birthday to your dear son...while I drool over these cakes!! I'm so ready for a bite of anyone cake, right now!! Hugs. FABBY

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  19. Happy Birthday to your son! What a yummy cake!

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  20. I'm in love with this cake. I love cannolis. I never knew there was tappioca in the filling!! YUM!

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  21. Happy birthday to Chad! Love the idea of turning cannolis into cake, definitely easier than frying up shells. My favorite part is the filling anyway, hehe.

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  22. Claudia...this idea is brilliant.

    Oh, how I would love a piece of that celebratory cake right now, especially since the afternoons always brings on the need for sweets ;o)

    Happy belated B-Day Chad ;)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  23. Happy Birthday to Chad!

    I don't have marsala wine...what can I use to replace that?

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  24. Happy birthday Chad! Any birthday celebrant would be happy if he had a cake like this. Love the marble cake. Love the filling even more.

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  25. What a creative idea! Hope you all had a great day :)

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  26. Oh, my! This looks delicious. Hope you had a festive time!

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  27. What a great idea! This looks so good! Hope it was a great birthday!

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  28. Wow! That looks amazing!

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  29. Happy Birthday to your son! I have never actually had a cannoli, but have always wanted to. Your cake looks delish!

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  30. Happy Birthday to Chad! Claudia, you are such a good mom! That cake looks delish! : )

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  31. I wish Chad had shared that delicious cake with us. I have a feeling, I could eat several pieces.

    Happy Birthday Chad.

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  32. Happy birthday! Lovely recipe!
    barbara

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  33. The cake plus Cannoli idea is simply Genius! Chad is the lucky recipient here, I envy him--Buzz

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  34. Happy Birthday to Chad! That cake looks so delicious and unique!

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  35. This looks like an excellent birthday cake! Happy birthday to your son!

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  36. Happy Birthday Chad!
    Fabulous cake!
    LL

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  37. Hoping Chad is having a fantastic birthday...but how can he not with lovely treats like this. You've just made my husband feel like a birthday boy too. He loves this!

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  38. Beautiful! One of my favorite cakes. I am addicted to the one Vacarro's serves up in Baltimore, now I can make my own at home. Can't wait to give this a try. And I love cakes that can stay in the pan you baked it in!!!

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  39. C'mon, you have a son 31..no way!
    I wouldn't give you more than 31, I thought you are my age, and I turned 31 in Feb.:))) really you look so young..
    Your Cannoli look and sound like dessert that I would enjoy it very much..I love this recipe Claudia!!

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  40. Oh, Claudia!! This cake looks fabulous!!! What a great treat for your son~

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  41. What a wonderful way to get that lovely cannoli flavor the easy way. :) This looks delicious.

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  42. Hope Chad had a wonderful birthday. He surely had a yummy cake!

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  43. Happy Birthday Chad! My daughter is 30 and you do just wonder where the time goes! Claudia, when I read this recipe, I felt that you are truly the queen of Italian desserts!

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  44. A very Happy Belated Birthday to Chad! Wow this is such a great idea for a cake...just beautiful!

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  45. Dear Claudia, Happy Birthday to your son! This is a beautiful cake for him. I am sure he was in bliss with this cake. I am glad that you still feel your sons age. I love the saying, "if you didn't know how old you were, how old would you be". Your cooking buddy, Catherine xo

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  46. Happy Belated B-day to your son. How lucky is he to have a mom that makes him treats like this? Very indeed! Thanks for participating in the YBR & Have a great weekend !

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  47. A fantastic canoli is my favorite dessert. Ok, maybe one of my favorites because I am a true Tiramisu enthusiast. My mom used to make me a marble cake for my birthdays. This really takes me back. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!!!

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  48. Wow, this looks insanely delicious! I've never made a cannoli before, but I sure do want one now. I think making a cake is a better idea though! :) It looks amazing, I love your presentation.

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  49. Happy birthday Chad! The cake looks amazing.

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  50. I always, always asked for marble cake as my birthday cake, so I love that it's your base here! The cannoli topping sounds amazing :)

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  51. I really want some of this--love that you used marble cake as the base. Looks like a perfect solution for getting the flavor of cannoli without the hassle of making all the shells.

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  52. Happy birthday to your son Chad, Claudia!! I know what you mean about the time flying. My oldest is closing in on 26 and I could swear it was just a little bit ago that I was holding a tiny curly headed baby. Now he is grown and married with 3 kids of his own and another on the way.

    ON topic... I want this cake. Right now. In my tummy :-D

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  53. I've never heard of canoli cake,but I like that idea!

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  54. This might be the birthday cake I make for hubby this year.

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  55. Did I miss how to use that quick cooking tapioca?

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    Replies
    1. its just all mixed together the filling ingredients until smooth. Don't beat it just stir.

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