Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites

Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites, these little Italian cheesecakes are full of ricotta, mascarpone, orange, and chocolate. Perfect bite-size treat for potlucks and parties!

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I thought I’d take my Cannoli Cheesecake Bars one step further for these super delicious Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites! These bite-size little morsels are so good if I do say so myself! Easy to make, and they can feed a crowd.

So it’s like -20 degrees outside at the moment, and for some reason, I thought it would be a great idea to come up with a frozen dessert. Ok, maybe not one of my brighter moments but for cheesecake, I’d do it all over again.

You know I love my cannoli recipes. Cannoli anything and everything from the classic Italian pastry, to crazy new ideas. My Cannoli Cake and Cannoli Cookies have been super popular so I know you all love everything cannoli too.

How to Make Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites

(For the full printable recipe card, scroll to the bottom of the post.)

To start, you’ll need some cheesecake, so make a batch of my Cannoli Cheesecake Bars. Follow the directions exactly for the cheesecake BUT you can omit the powdered sugar on top when they’re done if you’d like. 

There’s plenty of sugar in the chocolate you’re going to add, so the powdered sugar is not necessary but completely optional.

Once your cheesecake is cooled slightly after baking, place it in the freezer for about 2-3 hours or until frozen. 

I lined my pan with parchment paper (which I strongly recommend…) so I could pop the frozen cheesecake right out of the pan and place on a large cutting board.

Use a long serrated knife if you’d like cut the edges off of each side. Totally optional, but it does help create even little squares and you’ll probably want to sample it at this point anyhow, right?

Cut the cheesecake in half then half again so that you’ll have 4 pieces. Cut each of those again in half, then half again. Continue until you have 64 little pieces. Or you can cut them into any size/shape you want but you may end up with more or less cheesecake bites.

Place the cheesecake bites on a silicone mat lined baking sheet (you’ll see why this is a good idea a little later…) and back in the freezer until frozen again and while you work on the chocolate. 

While your cheesecake bites are back in the freezer, place the hot cream over the chocolate chips. let it sit for a few seconds then stir until smooth. If you still have some chunks of chocolate, you can place in the microwave (or over a double boiler) for a little bit at a time until melted.

Let the chocolate cool and come to room temperature while your cheesecake bites are still in the freezer. If the chocolate is too hot, it will start to melt your cheesecake. 

Carefully dip each frozen cheesecake bite into the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off slightly then turn over and place the cheesecake bites back on the lined baking sheet. The silicone mat will make it easy to clean up and prevent the cheesecakes and chocolate from sticking to the pan. 

Place the cheesecakes back in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes or until frozen before serving. 

Do I have to freeze the Cannoli Cheesecake Bites?

NO! You definitely do not have to freeze these Cannoli Cheesecake Bites or serve them frozen. BUT I do find that freezing the cheesecake after baking makes it a lot easier to cut the cheesecake into small bites and easier to dip in the chocolate.

After you dip the cheesecake bites into the chocolate you can place the bites on the pan into the refrigerator instead of the freezer and serve cold, rather than frozen. 

How do I store these Frozen Cheesecake Bites?

I would suggest storing the bites in an airtight container or sealable bag in layers with parchment paper or wax paper in between the layers. Be sure the cheesecake bites and chocolate are completely frozen before stacking into layers. 

If you do not want to freeze the cheesecake bites, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can layer as well with parchment paper or wax paper in between BUT the chocolate may stick to the paper so you may want to store in a single layer. 

Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites Variation Ideas:

• Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, you can use your favorite flavor chocolate or baking chip, JUST be sure it melts well.
• You could sprinkle some chopped pistachios or nuts, or even sprinkles on top before the chocolate sets.
• If you’re looking for a more decadent option, cut the cheesecake into bigger pieces and pour chocolate over the top to cover all sides.
• Make cheesecake pops by placing a stick into the cheesecake bites and then dip in the chocolate.

These Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites are the perfect bite-size dessert or treat for potlucks and parties! Also great that you can make them ahead of time. Love that!

Hope you enjoy these fun Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites! Be sure to check out all my other fun CANNOLI RECIPES!

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5 from 4 votes

Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites

Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites, perfect bite-size Italian dessert for potlucks and parties. Takes my Cannoli Cheesecake Bars one step further!

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 64 bars (or can be cut into any size/shape)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups waffle cone crumbs (about 10-12 cones)
• 5 Tablespoons butter melted
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese room temperature (full fat preferably)
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese room temperature (full fat preferably)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Chocolate Topping:

• 1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom and two sides of 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the cone crumbs and butter. Press mixture into bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a thin even crust.
• In a large mixing bowl beat together ricotta, mascarpone, and granulated sugar until well combined with an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat in eggs one at a time. Then beat in vanilla, orange, and cinnamon.
• Pour cheesecake filling on top of crust and spread to form an even layer. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of cheesecake filling.
• Bake cheesecake at 350 degrees F for about 30-35 minutes or until slightly golden brown around edges and nearly set in center. Remove from oven, cool completely, then place in freezer for about 2-3 hours or until frozen. 
• Remove cheesecake from pan by lifting up on parchment paper. Place cheesecake on cutting board. Cut edges off of cheesecake if desired. Then cut cheesecake in half, then half again with a long serrated knife. Repeat with each piece until you have about 64 small cheesecake squares total. Place squares on a silicone mat lined baking sheet and place in freezer.
• Meanwhile, place chocolate chips in large bowl. Heat heavy whipping cream in microwave or in a small pan until nearly boiling. Pour over chocolate. Let sit a few seconds then stir until smooth. If chocolate is still chunky, place bowl in microwave for 10-15 second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
• Once the chocolate has cooled and cheesecake bites are frozen again, dip each cheesecake bite into chocolate, letting excess chocolate drip off, then place cheesecake bites back onto silicone mat lined baking sheet. Place back in freezer until chocolate is set and ready to serve.

Notes

SNAPPY TIPS: To make the waffle cone crumbs you can place the cones in a food processor and process until crumbs or place in a sealable bag and crush with a rolling pin. Line the pan and two sides with parchment paper (or well-greased aluminum foil) for easy removal of cheesecake and to cut into slices.

SNAPPY SUBSTITUTIONS: Instead of waffle cones you can use sugar cone or graham cracker crumbs, or even cannoli shells. 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: bite-size treat, chocolate potluck dessert

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