Description
Creamy cannoli cheesecake bites blend Sicilian dessert magic with bite-sized convenience. Cool Italian-inspired treats perfectly balance sweet ricotta and crisp chocolate shell for delightful summer snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 oz (226 g) ricotta cheese, room temperature (full fat preferably)
- 8 oz (226 g) mascarpone cheese, room temperature (full fat preferably)
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup waffle cone crumbs (about 10–12 cones)
- 5 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp fresh orange zest
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulverize waffle cone crumbs and blend with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 9×9-inch baking pan to create a compact, crisp foundation.
- Cheese Mixture: Whisk ricotta, mascarpone, and granulated sugar until smooth, incorporating eggs individually to maintain a silky, uniform consistency while blending in vanilla extract, orange zest, and cinnamon.
- Assembly and Baking: Distribute the cheese mixture over the prepared crust, sprinkle mini chocolate chips across the surface, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven until the filling sets with a subtle wobble, approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Cooling and Chilling: Allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to the freezer for 2-3 hours to solidify and concentrate flavors.
- Chocolate Coating: Create a luxurious ganache by gently heating heavy whipping cream and pouring over semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring until a smooth, glossy mixture forms.
- Finishing Touch: Slice the chilled cheesecake into 64 bite-sized squares, carefully dip each piece into the cooled chocolate ganache for complete coverage, and arrange on a parchment-lined tray to set in the freezer until the chocolate shell becomes crisp.
Notes
- Prepare Sturdy Crust: Use fine waffle cone crumbs and melted butter for a crisp, compact base that holds the cheesecake filling perfectly.
- Balance Cheese Mixture: Gradually incorporate eggs into ricotta and mascarpone to maintain a smooth, silky texture without overmixing.
- Elevate Flavor Profile: Add vanilla, orange zest, and cinnamon to create a complex, aromatic dimension that complements the chocolate coating.
- Master Chocolate Dipping: Allow ganache to cool slightly before coating to achieve a glossy, even finish that adheres smoothly to the chilled cheesecake bites.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 67 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg