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!
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. If you have no idea what a cannoli is, check out my “What is a cannoli?”.
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! Great addition to my easy potluck desserts. Also great that you can make them ahead of time. Love that!
Cannoli Cheesecake Bites Video
Quick Cannoli Cheesecake Bites video so you can see how to make these cheesecakes in no time…
Mini Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups waffle cone crumbs (about 10-12 cones)
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted 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:
- 12 ounces 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 30-45 minutes or until slightly golden brown around edges and nearly set in center. (This cheesecake should bake in about 30-35 minutes but I have updated time based on reader results. Pan size or recipe changes will also affect baking time.)
- Remove cheesecake 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
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
Paulette says
I found a new love of my life, these frozen cannoli cheesecake bites, by Lisa! Thank you Lisa. They’re wonderful but I could probably eat the whole 9 x 9 pan!
Lisa Huff says
Ha! Happy to be a matchmaker, haha!! Glad you enjoyed! :)
Brianna Roepke says
How long do these need to bake if you double the recipe and use a 9×13 inch pan?
Lisa Huff says
I haven’t tried it but would guess more like 40-45 min or so BUT I’d still check them at 30 just to be on the safe side and then every 5 min.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is definitely a must-make!!
Lindsay Cotter says
These truly are the perfect bite sized dessert! They look so addictive too!
Jim says
Real good loved them I have a suggestion, when cutting these after they are frozen use a pizza cutter ( a rock and roll stainless steel 18″ blade) if you have one it makes life easy. Greaet recipe and if your reading make a double batch or you will regret it! Thanks again for the fantastic recipe
Lisa Huff says
Happy to hear you enjoyed! And you’re right, a double batch is definitely a great idea!
Wendy A Fischer says
I love the ecipe but can I somehow make this as a non-frozen dessert?
Thanks, Cannolis are my very favorite dessert!!
Greeting
WendyAnn
Lisa Huff says
Absolutely! I’d suggest freezing them for awhile so they cut and dip better, then just refrigerate.
John says
What a waste of paper! 24 pages for a simple recipe?
Lisa Huff says
24? If you click on the print button on the recipe card it’s only a few pages depending on your settings. Feel free to email me if you’re having trouble.
Kelly M says
Mascarpone is hard to find out in my little town, so I am substituting Philly cream cheese instead. Hope it is a good swap. I will find out in a couple hours. I looked online and that 8oz container is $6! Ummm..no. I wont pay that much. I have Champaign taste on a beer budget. Will let ya know how this turns out.
Lisa Huff says
Cream cheese should definitely work. I wouldn’t pay that much either. :) We are lucky to have a lot of Italian food in my area. Hope you like the bites!
Kelly M says
Did a double batch based on everyones advice. Mine didnt really FREEZE well. I wonder if its because of the philly cream cheese in place? The first section we did…the pcs were a bit too small. The chocolate when cooled got hard and would not coat well. So, we tossed it in a sandwich bag and piped it on. They arent very pretty but VERY good. The 2nd section we did (we used a 13 x 9 pan) we cut a bit bigger. Those are back in the freezer. Going to pipe that chocolate as well. We topped that first section also with chopped walnuts. Ohhhhh my!
Im going to splurge and get the mascarpone and do one batch. I like how this batch turned out…but it was a challenge for me. I am not a newbie to the kitchen and always look for a new recipe. I will make this again but will go with the exact recipe next time. ;)
Lisa Huff says
Hmmm they should freeze with no problem. Maybe you didn’t freeze long enough? Or sounds like you maybe put the double batch in a small pan rather than a larger pan? Feel free to email me to troubleshoot.
Bonnie says
I make Cannoli Cheesecakes all the time and it’s always a winner! I normally use powdered sugar on top but, these look great for a crowd and a small bite is just enough, especially with the chocolate on top. Yummy and can’t wait to make them!!
Lisa Huff says
Thanks Bonnie! Hope you like these! If you prefer the powdered sugar top, I also have a Cannoli Cheesecake Bar recipe you may like… https://snappygourmet.com/cannoli-cheesecake-bites/
MGM says
These look amazing!! I’m not a big fan of chocolate so I will not be dipping them instead I’ll dust with confectionery sugar instead.’
Lisa Huff says
Powdered sugar is great too! You might like my cheesecake bar version instead which is with powdered sugar… https://snappygourmet.com/cannoli-cheesecake-bites/
Jeannine Mcnesby says
Can you use cannoli shells instead of ice cream cones?
Lisa Huff says
Yes, absolutely! :)
Angela Laronga says
What size pan do you use?
Lisa Huff says
9×9-inch baking pan. (The full recipe card is at the bottom of the post.)
Laura | Wandercooks says
I came here to write how delicious these looked, but I just saw Mike’s advice to go ahead and make two batches – so I’m off to do just that! ????
SHANIKA says
I’ve never tried a Cannoli, but these Cheesecake bites look and sound so delicious!
Cathy says
Wow cannoli and cheesecake!! Two of my ultimate favorite foods!! So making this, I don’t care how cold it is right now!! :)
Andrea Metlika says
These are perfectly Awesome! Love this recipe!
Mike Hultquist says
These didn’t last long. The chocolate topping is the perfect extra touch. They disappeared too fast! I really should have made two batches. =)