All the flavor of classic cannoli, none of the fuss. This Chocolate Chip Orange Cannoli Dip is thick, creamy, and loaded with mini chocolate chips, kissed with fresh orange zest and vanilla. It tastes like cannoli filling you can scoop with cookies, waffle cones, or fruit—ready in about 10 minutes with zero frying, rolling, or chilling overnight.
Bring it to parties, movie nights, or holidays and watch the bowl disappear.
Why You’ll Love It
- No-fuss cannoli vibes: All the ricotta–orange–chocolate flavor without making shells.
- Quick to make: Stir, chill briefly, and serve. Great last-minute dessert.
- Silky & rich: Ricotta plus mascarpone (or cream cheese) gives a lush, spoonable texture.
- Party-perfect: Easy to double; looks gorgeous with toppings and dippers around it.
Ingredients
For the Cannoli Dip
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) whole-milk ricotta, well drained*
- 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone cheese (or full-fat cream cheese, softened)
- ¾–1 cup (90–120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsp fresh orange zest (from about 1 orange)
- 1–2 tbsp fresh orange juice, to taste (start with 1 tbsp)
- Pinch of fine salt
- ½–⅔ cup (85–115 g) mini chocolate chips
*If your ricotta is very wet, see Pro Tips below.
For Serving (Dippers & Garnish)
- Waffle cone pieces or broken waffle bowls
- Biscotti, ladyfingers, or graham crackers
- Simple butter cookies or shortbread
- Fresh strawberries, orange segments, or apple slices
- Extra mini chocolate chips
- Extra orange zest
- Crushed pistachios or chopped almonds (optional)
Time & Yield
- Prep: 10–15 minutes
- Chill (optional but best): 30–60 minutes
- Total: ~45 minutes (with chilling)
- Yield: About 3 cups of dip (8–10 servings)
Instructions
1) Prep the Ricotta
- If the ricotta looks watery or loose, line a fine-mesh strainer with paper towel or cheesecloth.
- Add ricotta and let it drain over a bowl for 15–30 minutes (longer if very wet).
- This step helps your dip stay thick and not runny.
2) Make the Creamy Base
- In a medium bowl, add the drained ricotta and mascarpone.
- Beat with a hand mixer (or whisk vigorously) until smooth and well combined, about 1–2 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, 1 tbsp orange juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Beat again until creamy, thick, and fluffy.
- Taste and adjust:
- Add more powdered sugar for sweetness.
- Add the remaining orange juice if you want more citrus punch (don’t overdo it or the dip may loosen too much).
- Taste and adjust:
3) Fold in the Chocolate Chips
- Switch to a spatula and gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Reserve a tablespoon or two for sprinkling on top.
4) Chill & Garnish
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, smoothing the top.
- Cover and chill for 30–60 minutes to let the flavors meld and the texture firm up slightly.
- Right before serving, top with:
- Extra mini chocolate chips
- A sprinkle of fresh orange zest
- Crushed pistachios or almonds, if using
Serve It Like This
- Place the bowl of cannoli dip in the center of a platter.
- Arrange waffle cone pieces, cookies, and fresh fruit around it.
- Add small spoons for people who want to spoon dip onto their plates.
- For a “dessert board,” add:
- Chocolate-covered pretzels
- Cubes of pound cake
- Dried apricots or figs
This dip also makes an amazing filling for:
- Mini dessert cups
- Layered parfaits with crushed cookies
- Stuffed strawberries (hull and fill with a small spoon or piping bag)
Pro Tips for a Thick, Luxurious Dip
- Drain the ricotta:
- This is the #1 key. Extra moisture = runny dip. Even 20–30 minutes of draining helps a lot.
- Use whole-milk cheeses:
- Whole-milk ricotta and mascarpone (or full-fat cream cheese) give the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t overdo the orange juice:
- Start small; you can always add more. Too much citrus can thin the dip.
- Chill before serving:
- The dip thickens and the flavors intensify after a short rest in the fridge.
- Stir before serving:
- If it sits for a while, give it a quick stir to bring it back to creamy perfection.
Variations & Twists
- Double Orange Cannoli Dip:
- Add an extra teaspoon of orange zest and a few drops of orange extract for a stronger orange flavor.
- Chocolate-Orange Swirl:
- Mix 2–3 tbsp cocoa powder into half the dip, then swirl the chocolate portion gently through the plain orange dip.
- Pistachio Cannoli Dip:
- Fold in ¼–⅓ cup finely chopped pistachios along with the chocolate chips, garnish with more on top.
- Lighter Version:
- Use part-skim ricotta and light cream cheese. The texture will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
- Holiday Spice:
- Add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy twist that pairs nicely with orange.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Leftovers
- Make-Ahead:
- You can make this dip up to 1 day ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Sprinkle extra chocolate chips and orange zest on top right before serving so it looks fresh.
- Fridge Storage:
- Keeps 2–3 days in the refrigerator.
- Stir before serving; if it thickens too much, loosen with a teaspoon or two of cream or milk.
- Freezing:
- Not recommended—ricotta and mascarpone can turn grainy after freezing and thawing.
Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate, for 10 servings)
- Calories: ~220–260 kcal
- Fat: ~15–18 g
- Carbs: ~18–22 g
- Protein: ~5–6 g
- Sodium: Varies by cheese brand
(These are estimates and will vary based on brands and exact portion size.)
Why This Recipe Works
Classic cannoli filling relies on creamy ricotta for flavor and texture. Draining the ricotta concentrates that richness so your dip is thick, not watery. Mascarpone (or cream cheese) adds body and a silky mouthfeel, while powdered sugar sweetens without grittiness. Orange zest and a splash of juice brighten everything and cut through the richness, and mini chocolate chips deliver chocolate in every scoop without overpowering the citrus.
The result is a dip that’s balanced, bold, and totally snackable—like a deconstructed cannoli that you can put right in the middle of the table and watch everyone dig in.
Final Thought: Whip it, chill it, surround it with all your favorite dippers—this Chocolate Chip Orange Cannoli Dip is the easy, impressive dessert you’ll rely on whenever you need something sweet, fast, and guaranteed to disappear.