Soft homemade crepes filled with sweet ricotta cream and chocolate chips, topped with whipped cream and more chocolate chips. A breakfast version of an Italian favorite!
What is the best thing you’ve ever eaten?
My husband and I went to Europe for 3 weeks (France, Spain, Italy, Monaco, Croatia) in the summer 3 years ago. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
There are probably people who hesitate to spend a good amount of money on experiences. I am not one of them.
I’m sure I got my travel bug from my mother. Though we had never crossed any oceans when I was younger, my mom made sure we were going somewhere every somewhere, often for 3 weeks at a time. The East coast, the West coast, California (Disneyland!), Yellowstone, Mexico. This summer, we traveled with my family to Florida (Disneyworld — of course!) and on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.
Our memories of Europe are ones we will never forget, and we wouldn’t trade them for anything. Not even the money we paid to get over there.
I had done tons of research before we went. From the restaurants in the areas we would be staying, to things to do and see, to things you must eat in each city we would be visiting. So I knew before we got to Sicily that it is Cannoli that you cannot leave without trying.
We had done our best to make sure we covered the essentials in the other cities we were in. Macarons and Pain au Chocolate in Paris. Pan con Tomate, Tapas and Sangria in Spain. Gelato. Pizza and Pasta in Italy. More gelato.
So we couldn’t go to Sicily and not try it.
That was my “best thing I’ve ever eaten” moment.
Sweet, creamy ricotta filling with chocolate chips stuffed inside a thin, fried shell and dipped in chocolate. How can you put a price on that?
I have never dared to make my own cannoli. I mean, the filling is pretty straightforward — but the shells? (a) I’m a little intimidated and (b) would it ever compared to the little cannoli stand outside the Greek Theatre in Taormina? I don’t know if I can chance the disappointment.
This recipe makes cannoli more accessible and less time consuming. I know you’re not getting the crispy, deep-fried shell, but it’s an easy sacrifice for the time and effort you won’t be putting into these.
I made one batch of crepes using this recipe, and I saved about half for these crepes. The rest we ate while they were hot for breakfast. The full recipe makes about 12-14 crepes (depending how big you make them), so if you don’t want half for breakfast, feel free to halve the recipe. If you want 12-14 cannoli crepes, just double the filling.
Cannoli Crepes
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Crepes:
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk I use 1%
- 1/2 cup flour I use whole wheat
- 1 tsp sugar
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup sweetened whipped cream (½ cup heavy cream whipped with about 3 tbsp sugar or substitute whipped topping)
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
- Additional whipped cream and chocolate chips for garnish
Instructions
- Crepes:In a blender (I use my individual blender and it has a pour spot right on it!), combine eggs, milk, flour and sugar. Blend until smooth and refrigerate 30 minutes. Blend for another 30 seconds after removing from the fridge.
- Heat a small pan over medium heat and spray with non-stick spray. Pour a small amount of crepe batter into the pan and tilt the pan to cover the bottom. Cook for 2-3 minutes before flipping, and cook another 1-2 minutes on the other side, until light golden brown. Remove to a plate.
- Repeat until all batter is used.
- Filling:In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, sugar and vanilla. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth and combined* (you could also use a food processor or blender).
- Fold in whipped cream and chocolate chips.
- Divide filling between crepes and roll up. Top with additional whipped cream and chocolate chips if desired.
Nutrition Information
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Julie says
I suggest using mascarpone cheese instead of whip cream to mix with the ricotta.
Evan says
I added a half tablespoon of orange zest into the mix, tasted delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Ashley Fehr says
Great idea! Thanks!
tom forte says
the other thing to try in new orleans is a nectar milk shake. At the central grocery in the french market you have to try a muffeletta sandwich it is bid as a dinner plate with italian meats cheese and pickled olive salad wonderful. another thing to try is seafood gumbo
tom forte says
angelo brocato in new orleanss has a tradition italian pastry shop with the old fashioned cappochino machine along with coffee italian candy and cookies and spumoni, cassata, and cannolis I love the fig cookies, hard clove cookies and the cannolis, cassata. truthfully everything is wonderful. its located on carollton in new orleans. try it next time you go to new orleans
tom forte says
you talked about everything but the recipe you used for the crepes for the cannolli. please share.
Ashley says
Hi Tom, the crepe recipe is linked in the recipe box — just click through and you’ll find the recipe I used!
Candra says
Actually, when you select “click here” it takes you to a pop up that says “page cannot be found”.
Ashley says
So sorry about that! I’ve added the crepe recipe in. Thanks for letting me know!
Carrie Pacini says
What a great idea! These cannoli crepes sound delicious.
Ashley says
Thanks Carrie!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
What a creative idea, Ashley! This looks amazingly delicious….and much easier/better for you than the fried original. Featuring you at tonight’s SNF party!
Ashley says
Thanks so much Cathy! Looking forward to it 🙂
Heather says
These look wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca @ Dorm Room Baker says
I just was just in Rome this summer and I’m totally missing those amazing cannolis! I totally agree about the shells seeming intimidating, but this seems like a perfect alternative :).
Ashley says
I totally sympathize! It’s been 3 years for us but man were they good! Someday maybe I’ll work up the courage to make real cannoli.. 🙂
Francesca @ Love.Bake.Read says
Ashley!! Love that you discuss Sicily in this post. I’ve been there twice myself…including Taormina, which I LOVED! Can’t say I tried a cannoli, though (unfortunately, I was young and picky!). These crepes–would love to try ’em!
Ashley says
Taormina was just gorgeous! Man I can’t wait to get back to Italy! I am still (somewhat!) young and picky, but my picky-ness comes into play more around vegetables and green things…. lol.
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Wow Ashley, now this looks like my kind of crepe. Combination of crepes and cannoli’s = mind blown! Love it! And jealous that you and your hubbie went traveling through europe! I’ve been to england and france but not with the hubbie, definitely want to go again it was so fun!
Ashley says
There are so many places I want to go in Europe yet! England being one of them. I’m really glad we did it, because I know it’ll be a while before we get away on our own for that long again! And Cannoli was probably my favourite thing we tasted while we were out there 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
My dad is a cannoli fanatic… I’m going to have to make these for him! I love this unique idea 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Medha! I’ve only had the real deal once, but I fell in love!