Description
Ricotta cannoli squares blend classic Italian dessert magic into a delightful bar-style treat. Sweet creamy ricotta filling nestles between crisp pastry layers, promising a delectable journey through Sicilian culinary traditions you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (17.3 oz / 490 g) puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 2 cups ricotta cheese, drained well
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Mini chocolate chips or chopped pistachios (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Pastry Preparation: Warm the oven to 400F (200C), line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and stretch puff pastry sheets into an even surface. Slice each sheet into nine precise squares, creating 18 uniform pastry bases.
- Initial Baking: Arrange pastry squares on prepared sheets with adequate spacing, then brush each square with beaten egg wash to achieve a lustrous golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until pastry develops a rich, golden color and signature puffy texture.
- Cooling Process: Transfer baked pastry squares to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely to room temperature, ensuring a crisp and stable foundation for the filling.
- Ricotta Filling Creation: In a large mixing bowl, blend ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in chocolate chips for added texture and flavor complexity.
- Assembly and Finishing: Carefully spread the ricotta mixture over half of the cooled pastry squares, then top with remaining squares to create delicate sandwich-style treats. Dust the completed cannoli squares with additional powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Pastry Precision: Roll puff pastry evenly to guarantee uniform thickness, preventing uneven baking and ensuring consistent texture across all squares.
- Golden Bake Technique: Watch pastry closely during last 3-4 minutes of baking to achieve perfect golden-brown color without burning, as ovens can vary in heat intensity.
- Cooling Critical: Allow pastry squares to cool completely before adding ricotta filling to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crisp, flaky structure.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap regular puff pastry with gluten-free alternatives for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, ensuring the same delectable texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg