What is it about a cannoli? Maybe it’s the crisp shell that gives way to a rich, creamy centre, or perhaps it’s the way they always seem to look so tempting lined up on a dessert tray. Whatever it is, this Italian classic has made its way into the hearts (and kitchens) of many home cooks, myself included. And when you add fresh strawberries and a drizzle of melted chocolate into the mix? You’ve got yourself Strawberry Cannoli, a dessert worth savouring.
Strawberry cannoli are a delightful twist on the traditional. They still keep that familiar crunch and creaminess we all love, but the addition of sweet, juicy strawberries brings a whole new dimension. The berries add not just flavour, but a bit of freshness too, which balances beautifully with the richness of the filling.
Now, I’ll admit—I don’t always make my own shells. As a home cook, I’ve learnt it’s perfectly fine to take a shortcut or two. Sometimes I buy the shells from a local bakery and focus all my energy on the filling. That’s where the magic really happens. I like to use a smooth ricotta-based mixture, sweetened just enough to let the strawberries shine. I dice the berries finely, so you get little bursts of fruit in every bite.
And then, of course, there’s the chocolate. That final indulgent drizzle over the top is what takes these cannoli from lovely to absolutely irresistible. I melt dark chocolate until it’s glossy and pourable, then carefully zig-zag it over the filled shells. It sets with a slight snap, adding a satisfying texture to each mouthful.
These strawberry cannoli are perfect for gatherings, afternoon teas, or just treating yourself after a long day. They look impressive, but they’re really quite simple to put together once you get the hang of it. I like to finish them off with a light dusting of icing sugar—just a touch—to make them look as good as they taste.
What I love most about this dessert is how it brings people together. There’s something joyous about sitting around a table, passing a plate of cannoli, and hearing that first crisp bite followed by a contented sigh. That, to me, is what home cooking is all about.
Strawberry Cannoli
Ingredients
- 10 large cannoli shells pre-made
- 400 g ricotta cheese well drained
- 100 g icing sugar plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150 g strawberries fresh finely diced
- 80 g dark chocolate roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, icing sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and creamy.400 g ricotta cheese, 100 g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gently fold in the diced strawberries. Be careful not to overmix—just enough so they’re evenly distributed.150 g strawberries
- Using a piping bag or small spoon, fill each cannoli shell from both ends so the filling reaches the centre. For neatness, smooth off any excess at the ends.10 large cannoli shells
- You can chill the filled cannoli in the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavours meld, though they’re delicious served immediately too.
- Melt the dark chocolate gently using a double boiler or microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each. Once melted and smooth, drizzle over the cannoli in thin lines using a spoon or piping bag.80 g dark chocolate
- Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve on a pretty platter. Best enjoyed the same day for maximum crunch.
14 comments
I had these recently in Italy and ate far to many of them!! Now I can make them at home bang goes the diet but these are gorgeous
They were gone in minutes! Even my fussy teenager had two.
The filling is perfectly balanced—not too sweet—and the bits of fruit inside are just lovely.
I’m hooked
I tried this with raspberries instead of strawberries and it was just as good—maybe even better. Love how versatile the recipe is. Can’t wait to try it with cherries next.
I was a little nervous about making cannoli, but this recipe made it so approachable.
I made these for Sunday lunch and even my very traditional Italian grandmother had seconds.
I’m not usually the one making desserts, but I gave this a go and the whole family loved them.
The strawberries add such a lovely freshness, and the chocolate drizzle gives them that luxurious finish. So easy, yet they look like they came from a bakery.
It ticks all the boxes for a dessert lover like me. Absolutely divine.
As someone who puts strawberries in everything, this recipe was right up my alley.
These went down a storm at my afternoon tea. People couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful they looked—and they tasted just as good! Will definitely make again.
I’ve made these twice now and they’re officially my new favourite dessert.
I used shop-bought shells and pre-chopped strawberries, and this still came out looking amazing. Yes I know very lazy but have a broken arm at present.