Il Cucinologo
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Cannoli Crust Tartlets

17/11/2023

Cannoli crust tartlets are a delicious homage to Sicilian pastry, combining the crunch of the cannoli shell with the sweetness of pastry cream or sweetened ricotta. Here is the step-by-step recipe:

Ingredients

Per la crosta:

  • 250 grams of 00 flour
  • 50 grams of powdered sugar
  • 50 grams of cold butter from the refrigerator
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • A pinch of ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of salt

Per il ripieno:

  • 300 grams of sheep’s milk ricotta
  • 100 grams of powdered sugar (or to taste)
  • Chocolate chips or coarsely chopped chocolate, to taste
  • Candied fruit for decoration (optional)
  • Chopped pistachios for decoration (optional)

Preparation

  1. For the crust, sift the flour with the powdered sugar and the pinch of salt into a bowl. Add the cold butter in small pieces and begin working with your fingertips until you obtain a sandy mixture.
  2. Add the egg, the yolk and the grated lemon zest. Season with a pinch of cinnamon. Knead until you obtain a homogeneous ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
  4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 2-3 mm. Line tartlet molds with the dough, pricking the bottom with a fork to prevent puffing during baking.
  5. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until golden. Let cool completely.
  6. Meanwhile, prepare the filling by sifting the ricotta with the powdered sugar until smooth. Add the chocolate chips and mix gently.
  7. Once the tartlet shells are cold, remove them from the molds and fill with the ricotta cream. Decorate with candied fruit and chopped pistachios if desired.
  8. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.

This recipe unites the tradition of Sicilian cannoli with a more practical format for serving as a sweet treat or dessert. The filling can be varied by substituting pastry cream or another cream of your choice.

Curiosities

Cannoli are one of the symbols of Sicilian pastry and are known throughout the world. Their crunchy fried shell and rich ricotta filling make them irresistible. With cannoli crust tartlets, the spirit of cannoli is presented in a new form, perhaps better suited to a small tea cake or party.