Pumpkin Cannoli Dip

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Homemade Pumpkin Cannoli Dip, fun fall twist to the best ever cannoli dip! This Italian inspired dessert is great for fall holidays, special occasions, or casual snack! 

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You know I love my cannoli recipes, so here’s another fun one, Pumpkin Cannoli Dip! I took my Best Cannoli Dip and added some pumpkin and pumpkin spice for a fun and easy fall dessert! A quick and easy homemade treat!

My Cannoli Cookies and Cannoli Cake have been so popular that I just can’t help myself from sharing even MORE cannoli recipes. I wouldn’t say this is an authentic Italian recipe by any means. Just a fun twist on the cannoli, a popular Italian pastry. Or check out this Pumpkin Cannoli that is a similar recipe to this one but with cannoli shells.

What is Cannoli Dip

If you’re what is cannoli dip, let’s start with that!

Cannoli Dip is like cannoli cream without the cannoli shells. Cannoli shells are so time-consuming and difficult to make that cannoli dip is a quick and easy alternative. 

Cannoli dip generally has ricotta cheese and sometimes cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, as well as sugar and other flavors that could include such things as chocolate, nuts (pistachios), citrus, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.

You buy some cannoli chips or broken cannoli shells to dip into the Pumpkin Cannoli Dip, or even fruit, cookies, or anything else you can think of.

You should be able to find all the ingredients for this cannoli dip right in your grocery store. If you can’t find mascarpone, you could use cream cheese.

If you’d like a really thick dip I strongly recommend straining your ricotta overnight (see how to strain ricotta cheese for directions), although for this particular recipe you really don’t have to. 

Pumpkin Cannoli Dip Ingredients

• Ricotta cheese, drained
• Mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese)
• Powdered sugar
• Unsweetened canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• Vanilla
• Orange zest
• Pumpkin pie spice (or pumpkin spice)
• Salt
• Mini chocolate chips (or finely chopped chocolate)
• Topping (optional): mini chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts (pistachios)

How to Make Pumpkin Cannoli Dip

1. Place ricotta, mascarpone, pumpkin, and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer or stand mixer until smooth and well combined.
2. Mix in vanilla, orange zest, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until well combined. Stir in mini chocolate chips.
3. Top with mini chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)

You can serve this dessert dip with a wide range of things for dipping. Here are some of my favorites.

What To Serve with Pumpkin Cannoli Dip

• Cannoli chips
• Graham crackers
• Vanilla wafers or cookies
• Apple slices or other fruit
• Broken ice cream cones or cannoli shells

See what to serve with cannoli dip for other great ideas!

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Use unsweetened canned pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling.
• Adjust the flavorings (pumpkin pie spice, orange zest, and vanilla) to your personal preference.
• Although the cannoli dip will last a while in the refrigerator the chocolate chips can get a little soft the longer they’re in the cannoli dip.
• Although you can use low-fat cheese, use full-fat mascarpone and ricotta cheese for the best taste and texture.
• Even if you’re unsure about the fresh orange zest, I’d give it a try. It’s not a lot and really enhances the flavor of the dip.

Pumpkin Cannoli Dip FAQ

How should I store cannoli dip?
Store the cannoli dip in an airtight container or cover well with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.

How do you thicken cannoli dip?
If you want a thicker dip, be sure to strain the ricotta overnight. You could also try adding more mascarpone (or cream cheese) or more powdered sugar. A little whipped cream or whipped topping like Cool Whip could help.

Can you freeze cannoli dip?
I haven’t tried it, but would not recommend. I’m guessing the texture of the dip would not hold up as well.

How long does cannoli dip last?
Depending on how fresh your ingredients are (check the expiration date of the cheeses especially), the dip should last in the refrigerator at least a few days if not longer. However, the longer it’s in the fridge, the softer the chocolate chips will get.

Can I substitute something for the mascarpone cheese?
Although I highly recommend the mascarpone cheese, you could substitute cream cheese.

Can I substitute pumpkin pie filling for the unsweetened pumpkin?
No. Pumpkin pie filling has additional ingredients and different consistency. If you HAVE to use it, you’re going to need to adjust the sugar and spices in the recipe.

I don’t like orange, do I have to add it?
You don’t have to add the orange zest, but I highly recommend adding it. It’s not a strong flavor in the dip but does enhance the overall flavor. I would suggest just adding a little at a time if you’re at all unsure.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?
You can use low-fat cheeses however, I recommend using full-fat for better taste and consistency.

Can I make this cannoli dip low carb?
There’s a lot of sugar in this dip, but to make it more low carb friendly, use your favorite low carb sugar alternative.

What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add additional spices, pistachio nuts, or any of your favorite cannoli flavorings. A little Fiori di Sicilia extract would be a great addition. 

What should I serve with cannoli dip?
You can serve all sorts of things for dipping such as graham crackers, apples/fruit, pieces of cannoli shells or ice cream cones, cannoli chips, and anything else you can think of.

Other Cannoli Inspired Recipes You May Enjoy

• Cannoli Pancakes – Fun twist on the breakfast classic. Perfect for the holidays!
• Cannoli Milkshake – Easy milkshake recipe with cannoli flavors.
• Chocolate Cannoli Dip – If you like this Pumpkin Cannoli Dip, give this chocolate version a try.
• Orange Almond Cannoli Dip – Another quick and easy dessert dip with almond and orange flavors.
• Cannoli Cheesecake Bars – simple and tasty cheesecake cut into bars.

See my cannoli recipes list for even more ideas!

Hope you enjoy this tasty Pumpkin Cannoli Dip. Tell me in the comments what you served it with!

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Can’t get enough dessert dips? You may also like this Caramel Cheesecake Dip and Nutella Cheesecake Dip!