Cannoli Strawberries
These Cannoli Strawberries are the cannoli for people who love fruit and don’t want to turn on the oven.
If there are just a few things I’ll remember about my first trip to Boston, I hope the cannolis will be on that list forever. While exploring the city on foot, we discovered Mike’s Pastry in the North End.
I’m still unsure if Bostonians actually think this place is a tradition, or consider it a tourist trap. Either way, I was entranced by the sights and smells.
Mike’s version shaped my guidelines for all future cannoli – 1.) It must have a crisp shell, 2.) It has to be filled with lightly sweetened ricotta, and 3.) Not a requirement, but if there are pistachios or mini chocolate chips dotting the ends, it’ll get bonus points in my Cannoli Hall of Fame Scrapbook (not a real thing / should be).
Even though I went rogue and used strawberries instead of shells today (it’s too hot to turn on the oven and bake shells), I still met 2 out of my 3 requirements (so does my cannoli dip!). Not too shabby.
I found a recipe for Stuffed Strawberries inspired by cannoli, and I was sold. I recommend that you serve these immediately (or refrigerate them for just an hour if you need to), because to be honest, they get a little watery after that.
Despite that drawback, I love the flavors – the tangy vanilla- and lemon-flecked ricotta plays well with the sweet strawberry, and the bit of crunch sprinkled on at the end adds a texture contrast. Its a fruity Boston-inspired sweet treat for when it’s too damn hot to turn on the oven.
These are also perfect as part of a Valentine’s Day snacks board, unless you’re already making Valentine’s dessert shooters.
![Blue ceramic egg dish filled with strawberries stuffed ricotta, chocolate chips and pistachios.](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Cannoli-Strawberries2-320x320.jpg)
Cannoli Strawberries
These Cannoli Strawberries are the cannoli for people who love fruit and don't want to turn on the oven.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 pound fresh strawberries (about 18 strawberries)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- Chopped pistachios or mini chocolate chips, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place ricotta in a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Place in refrigerator for one hour.
- Meanwhile, using a small melon baller or spoon, hollow out insides of strawberries.
- Stir together strained ricotta, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest. Using a pastry bag or small spoon, fill strawberries with ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with pistachios or chocolate chips, if desired. Serve immediately, if possible, or refrigerate up to 1 hour.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 360Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 136mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 6gSugar: 26gProtein: 11g
More yummy strawberry recipes:
- Double Strawberry Moscow Mules – what makes them DOUBLE strawberry? Go find out!
- Summer Salad with Strawberry Ricotta Toast – a light dinner for a hot day.
- Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade – nothing could be more refreshing.
- Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream – homemade ice cream is a project worth taking on!
- Strawberry Cobbler from Bunny’s Warm Oven
- Strawberry Bread from Tastes of Lizzy T
Have only just found your website. Baked cannoli shells??? Our family has only fried them (forever!) – is there a recipe for the baked ones on your site?? Thanks – Marilena
Oops, shows how little I know about making real cannolis! I thought the shells were baked, but now I realize they’re definitely fried! I do not have a recipe for baked shells, but it might be something I try out in the future!
Thanks Michelle!
What a fantastic idea!
What a fantastic idea!
Thanks Michelle!
My pleasure
Oh GOOD! I figured it was, because I knew it wasn’t ALL tourists in there 🙂 I can’t wait to visit Boston again – I just loved everything about the city! My first stop will be directly back to Mike’s Pastry!
I live in Boston…and Mike’s Pastry is a treat even for us Bostonians!
I live in Boston…and Mike’s Pastry is a treat even for us Bostonians!
Oh GOOD! I figured it was, because I knew it wasn’t ALL tourists in there 🙂 I can’t wait to visit Boston again – I just loved everything about the city! My first stop will be directly back to Mike’s Pastry!
I think you summed Boston up perfectly – full of history and good food! And, you can walk around the city and take it all in at the same time! Definitely one of my favorite places to visit!
Love, love, love Boston! So full of history and good food =) Very much appreciate your sharing the cannoli guidelines. And grateful for the best way to present these luscious strawberries =)
Love, love, love Boston! So full of history and good food =) Very much appreciate your sharing the cannoli guidelines. And grateful for the best way to present these luscious strawberries =)
I think you summed Boston up perfectly – full of history and good food! And, you can walk around the city and take it all in at the same time! Definitely one of my favorite places to visit!
Thanks Brooke, I hope you enjoy them!
Oh this is such a great idea! Strawberries are coming into season here soon so cannot wait to try this!!
Oh this is such a great idea! Strawberries are coming into season here soon so cannot wait to try this!!
Thanks Brooke, I hope you enjoy them!
Thanks Isabel! They certainly don’t last for long, that’s for sure!
Hahaha,the perils of reading food blogs in the evening, right? Happens to me every night 🙂
These are so cute! My kids love cannolis and would devour these in a second. They look amazing!
These are so cute! My kids love cannolis and would devour these in a second. They look amazing!
Thanks Isabel! They certainly don’t last for long, that’s for sure!
Ok, now you really have me wanting a cannoli, like really, really bad. These strawberries sound fantastic. Off to go find some dessert in this house.
Ok, now you really have me wanting a cannoli, like really, really bad. These strawberries sound fantastic. Off to go find some dessert in this house.
Hahaha,the perils of reading food blogs in the evening, right? Happens to me every night 🙂
Ummmm yeah, I will admit to eating quite a few while making them. They were impossible to resist!
Thanks Alice!
Haha yep – the strawberries make me believe it’s a health food 🙂
You’re welcome Debra, and thank YOU for stopping by 🙂
Thanks Liz!
Yummmm…wish I had an Italian restaurant in my area that served great cannoli. Around here, you’re more likely to get a soggy shell filled with (gasp) buttercream 🙁 hahah.
They look so perfect! Wow! Great job! I’d totally make these for my friends but I’m not sure I could keep enough not in my mouth :/
They look so perfect! Wow! Great job! I’d totally make these for my friends but I’m not sure I could keep enough not in my mouth :/
Ummmm yeah, I will admit to eating quite a few while making them. They were impossible to resist!
Love these cannoli strawberries, what a great idea!
Love these cannoli strawberries, what a great idea!
Thanks Alice!
Love the healthy version of the cannoli just perfect.
Love the healthy version of the cannoli just perfect.
Haha yep – the strawberries make me believe it’s a health food 🙂
I just love yummy strawberries… Thanks for stopping by.
I just love yummy strawberries… Thanks for stopping by.
You’re welcome Debra, and thank YOU for stopping by 🙂
My pleasure
Yup, I could make these disappear, too! Truly scrumptious!
Yup, I could make these disappear, too! Truly scrumptious!
Thanks Liz!
Right? I love Anthropologie – wish I could afford to outfit my whole house in their adorable things. I found out that when it was available, it was called the “Farmer’s Egg Crate”:
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-dining/973774.jsp
I would totally stalk Ebay for it if you really want one. I did find a bunch of white versions for sale:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/anthropologie-Farmers-Egg-Crate-white-ceramic-carton-tray-jewelry-holder-New-/190864203783?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c7064a007
Turquoise is cuter, but maybe if you keep searching that on Ebay, a turquoise one will come up eventually! I’ve probably had mine about 3 years, and it’s very sturdy. I take it in and out of the fridge all the time, wash it, etc., and no chips or anything like that.
Oh yes, waffle cone bits would be good also!
The six-egg version is nice, but I love the one you have. BUT there are so many other pretty shiny things on the site….
Years ago my husband and I would frequent this one Italian restaurant for one reason, their cannoli. This brings back such memories of our dinners there. What an awesome way to stuff strawberries and I can see what a great treat these would be.
Years ago my husband and I would frequent this one Italian restaurant for one reason, their cannoli. This brings back such memories of our dinners there. What an awesome way to stuff strawberries and I can see what a great treat these would be.
Yummmm…wish I had an Italian restaurant in my area that served great cannoli. Around here, you’re more likely to get a soggy shell filled with (gasp) buttercream 🙁 hahah.
I totally thought about cannoli crumbs for crunch! Or maybe some waffle cone bits? Next time, for sure.
I got the dish at Anthropologie a few years back. It makes me smile just about every time I open the fridge (usually full of eggs, not strawberries :))
Looks like now they only sell a six-egg version, but I bet you could find the dozen one on Ebay or something!
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-kitchen/25442534.jsp
Yep, me too – I think Sara is the first person I remember seeing on the Food Network. It was such a different channel back then. I also seem to remember a show with her hosting where she took calls/questions from viewers? I loved it.
Thanks Katie! And they’re strawberries, so they’re healthy, right? Right.
No, just wait on the cannoli until you’re in a city that does them right. Because they are so NOT worth it if they’re just so-so. I guess you have to head to Boston…or Italy. Sigh. I know it must be tough to have to do that.
Thanks Jen. But yeah…..it’d be pretty hard to have leftovers of these 🙂
Thanks Heather!
Haha, thanks Cindy! I had a hard time NOT eating them while I was making them. Ok, I ate like 4.
LOVE IT. I am not a big dessert fan, but I love a good cannoli. Maybe you could sprinkle some cannoli crumbs onto some of those and get some crunch!
And I love the egg crate dish! Where did you get it?
LOVE IT. I am not a big dessert fan, but I love a good cannoli. Maybe you could sprinkle some cannoli crumbs onto some of those and get some crunch!
And I love the egg crate dish! Where did you get it?
I totally thought about cannoli crumbs for crunch! Or maybe some waffle cone bits? Next time, for sure.
I got the dish at Anthropologie a few years back. It makes me smile just about every time I open the fridge (usually full of eggs, not strawberries :))
Looks like now they only sell a six-egg version, but I bet you could find the dozen one on Ebay or something!
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-kitchen/25442534.jsp
Oh yes, waffle cone bits would be good also!
The six-egg version is nice, but I love the one you have. BUT there are so many other pretty shiny things on the site….
Right? I love Anthropologie – wish I could afford to outfit my whole house in their adorable things. I found out that when it was available, it was called the “Farmer’s Egg Crate”:
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-dining/973774.jsp
I would totally stalk Ebay for it if you really want one. I did find a bunch of white versions for sale:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/anthropologie-Farmers-Egg-Crate-white-ceramic-carton-tray-jewelry-holder-New-/190864203783?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c7064a007
Turquoise is cuter, but maybe if you keep searching that on Ebay, a turquoise one will come up eventually! I’ve probably had mine about 3 years, and it’s very sturdy. I take it in and out of the fridge all the time, wash it, etc., and no chips or anything like that.
Love those berries. What a wonderful idea, no bake, or fry less carbs. Great idea. I just love Sara she is my earliest memory of food network (back when I watched it religiously) and you are so right she was amazing, I loved watching her and still do.
Love those berries. What a wonderful idea, no bake, or fry less carbs. Great idea. I just love Sara she is my earliest memory of food network (back when I watched it religiously) and you are so right she was amazing, I loved watching her and still do.
Yep, me too – I think Sara is the first person I remember seeing on the Food Network. It was such a different channel back then. I also seem to remember a show with her hosting where she took calls/questions from viewers? I loved it.
How perfect do these sound for a bite of dessert? I LOVE cannolis…something about the filling is oh so fab. I don’t think these would stick around in my house for long – they’d be gobbled up instantly
How perfect do these sound for a bite of dessert? I LOVE cannolis…something about the filling is oh so fab. I don’t think these would stick around in my house for long – they’d be gobbled up instantly
Thanks Katie! And they’re strawberries, so they’re healthy, right? Right.
I’ve never had a cannoli. Insane, right?! Although I’ve never tried one, i can tell just from your post and recipe how delicious this must taste. This is a great idea, Lori, to use strawberries instead of blasting a hot oven in the summer.
I’ve never had a cannoli. Insane, right?! Although I’ve never tried one, i can tell just from your post and recipe how delicious this must taste. This is a great idea, Lori, to use strawberries instead of blasting a hot oven in the summer.
No, just wait on the cannoli until you’re in a city that does them right. Because they are so NOT worth it if they’re just so-so. I guess you have to head to Boston…or Italy. Sigh. I know it must be tough to have to do that.
I’ll take any leftovers you have. 😀
I’ll take any leftovers you have. 😀
Thanks Jen. But yeah…..it’d be pretty hard to have leftovers of these 🙂
I don’t think I’d have any problem making these disappear quickly. Just sayin’. ;P
I don’t think I’d have any problem making these disappear quickly. Just sayin’. ;P
Thanks Heather!
Not a problem with keeping them. Lori. They would be gone 1, 2, 3!
Not a problem with keeping them. Lori. They would be gone 1, 2, 3!
Haha, thanks Cindy! I had a hard time NOT eating them while I was making them. Ok, I ate like 4.