Cannoli Popsicles, an easy homemade dessert recipe inspired by the popular Italian pastry. Full of the best cannoli flavors including ricotta cheese, orange, cinnamon, and chocolate. Even the kids will enjoy!
This simple DIY frozen dessert is a crowd-pleaser! Based on Sicilian cannoli, these popsicles are full of all the same flavors. The best part is you can make these Cannoli Popsicles ahead and store them right in your freezer. The hard part is just waiting for them to freeze before you can eat them.
If you know me or have been to my site before you know I love cannoli and have all sorts of cannoli recipes including Cannoli Muffins, Cannoli Cheesecake, and Cannoli Pie just to name a few!
These popsicles are kind of like cannoli filling frozen into a popsicle. All the same flavors and ingredients.
If you’re new here, and not sure what a cannoli is…
What is a Cannoli?
A cannoli is an Italian pastry that is shaped in a long tube with a filling generally made up of ricotta cheese and powdered sugar.
An Italian cannoli may include other things such as candied fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, mascarpone cheese, or a wide variety of other things.
You can find them at Italian grocery stores and bakeries, as well as many other bakeries and grocery stores now.
Check out my “What is a cannoli?” for more info.
Equipment You May Need
- Popsicle Molds – You can use any type of popsicle molds you’d like. I personally like the rectangular type molds. Depending on the size of your molds, you may get more or less popsicles.
- Popsicle Sticks – My molds came with some popsicle sticks, but if yours did not, it’s a good idea to have some on hand.
- Blender – A good quality blender is needed to really blend everything well. You probably could mix the ingredients by hand though if you have to.
- Spatula – A rubber spatula comes in handy to get every last drop of the liquid into the molds.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Cannoli Popsicle Ingredients
- Ricotta Cheese – I used part-skim low-fat ricotta cheese but you can use whole milk full-fat ricotta as well for a richer version. You could also use mascarpone cheese instead.
- Half & Half – I used regular half & half, but you could use your favorite cream, milk, or even a milk substitute.
- Powdered Sugar – Just regular powdered sugar works just fine.
- Vanilla Extract – You could also use a little almond extract, fiori di siclia extract, or even pistachio extract for a little additional flavor.
- Cinnamon – Your favorite type of ground cinnamon will work.
- Orange Zest – A little fresh orange zest gives a nice freshness to these popsicles. If you prefer you could use a little orange juice instead or omit all the orange if you’re not a fan.
- Chocolate – I used a milk chocolate bar and finely chopped it. You can use any type of chocolate you’d like such as semi-sweet, bittersweet, or even dark chocolate. I personally prefer finely chopped chocolate rather than chocolate chips since the chips can get a little hard when frozen. But if you prefer, you can use mini chocolate chips.
How to Make Cannoli Popsicles
Step One: Place all the ingredients except the chocolate in the blender and blend until smooth.
Step Two: Add chocolate to the blender and blend just until combined.
Step Three: Pour the liquid into the popsicle molds and add sticks if needed.
Step Four: Freeze until hard, unmold, and serve.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these popsicles right out of the freezer. They will melt quickly so don’t let them sit out for too long.
- If you are making a lot of popsicles at one time, you can unmold them once frozen then place the popsicles on a silicone mat lined baking tray and keep them in the freezer until serving.
- For a little more gourmet version, you can dip these popsicles in melted cooled chocolate and top with crushed cannoli shells.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- There aren’t a lot of ingredients in this recipe and although you are welcome to change the ingredients and substitute things, results can vary A LOT!
- I suggest using finely chopped chocolate. Large chunks of chocolate and even chocolate chips can get quite hard when frozen and can be difficult for some people to eat.
- Fuller fat ingredients will result in a creamier popsicle. Although you can use lower-fat ingredients, the popsicles won’t be as good.
Cannoli Popsicles FAQ
How should I store the popsicles?
The popsicles should be stored in the freezer at all times.
How long will the popsicles last?
If stored well, the popsicles should last at least 2-3 months in the freezer.
Substitutions?
Instead of low-fat ricotta cheese, you can use full-fat ricotta cheese or mascarpone. Instead of half & half, you can use cream, milk, or your favorite milk substitute. Instead of or in addition to the vanilla extract you could use almond, pistachio, or fiori di sicilia extracts. Instead of chopped chocolate, you could use mini chocolate chips.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Yes! Low-fat milk and ricotta cheese can be used.
What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add your favorite cannoli flavorings! Or dip the popsicles in chocolate and add some chopped cannoli shells on the outside.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This would be a tough one to make vegan but you can try using vegan cheese, vegan chocolate, and milk substitute.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – You can try your favorite sugar substitute for the powdered sugar.
Gluten-Free – It’s gluten-free but check individual brands/products to be sure.
Other Frozen Dessert Recipes You May Enjoy
- Bananas Foster Popsicles – Inspired by the popular Bananas Foster dessert but in popsicle form.
- Dipped Oreo Ice Cream Pops – Oreo cookies stuffed with your favorite ice cream and dipped in chocolate.
- Frozen Cannoli Cheesecake Bites – All the same cannoli fun flavors!
Hope you enjoy this Cannoli Popsicle recipe. Tell me in the comments what else you added to them!
If you like these Cannoli Popsicles, you may also like my popular Cannoli Cookies and Cannoli Cake!
Cannoli Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2 cups low fat ricotta cheese (or regular)
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 3/4 cup finely chopped chocolate (see notes)
Instructions
- Place ricotta, half & half, powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and orange zest into a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add chocolate to blender and blend quickly just to combine.
- Pour liquid into popsicles molds. Add sticks.
- Freeze for about 8 hours or until frozen. Unmold and 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.)
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