How to Make Cannoli Filling

Steps

1. 1Place the ricotta cheese into a fine mesh strainer and place it in the fridge to drain for at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
2. 2When you're ready to make the filling:
3. 3In a large bowl combine the ricotta cheese, confectioners' sugar, salt, 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips, vanilla extract, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, and citrus zest (if using). Mix well until just combined. Using a spatula, carefully scrape the mixture into pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch open tip. Use at once, or refrigerate until needed; filling can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
4. 4When ready to serve, pipe the filling into one end of cannoli shell, filling shell halfway, then pipe into other end. If you don't have a piping bag, you may spoon the filling into the shells. Repeat with remaining shells.
5. 5Place remaining mini chocolate chips on a small plate. Dip each end of the cannoli into the chocolate chips, then lightly dust with confectioner's sugar. Serve at once.
6. 6Homemade Cannoli Shells
7. 7Lightly grease a large bowl with a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Set aside.
8. 8In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
9. 9Pulse until the butter is completely processed (you won’t see it), about 30 seconds, then add the marsala wine and water and continue processing until dough sticks to the blade and forms a silky cohesive dough, about 2 to 3 minutes.
10. 10Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and allow the dough to relax at least 2 hours (or up to 8 hours in a cool area) at room temperature.
11. 11When ready to form the dough into shells, sprinkle a 1/4 cup flour onto a clean and large work space.
12. 12Turn the dough out onto the floured space and roll the dough into a large circle about 1/16-inch in thickness. Use more flour as needed to prevent sticking!
13. 13Dust any excess flour from the dough, then lightly brush the entire surface with the beaten egg white.
14. 14Gently fold the dough in half, then dust with more flour and re-roll into a circle about 1/16-inches in thickness.
15. 15Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into 4-inch rounds. Re-roll the dough scraps and cut as many as possible.
16. 16Heat the oil in 5-quart stainless steel pot or enameled Dutch oven. Place a digital thermometer inside the pan and heat over medium until the thermometer registers 360°F (182°C).
17. 17Line a large baking sheet with 4 layers of paper towels. Set aside until needed.
18. 18Lightly grease cannoli forms with nonstick spray or oil. Then place each form onto a piece of prepared cannoli dough.
19. 19Wrap the dough around the cannoli form. Brush a little egg white on the dough to firmly seal the end pieces together where they overlap. The dough should feel secure around the form without being super tight. No need to seal the dough super firm around the form, as this will make it difficult to remove once fried.
20. 20Working with 4 or 5 cannoli forms at a time, carefully place the cannoli forms into the hot oil and fry until the dough is bubbling and lightly gold, about 2 minutes.
21. 21Use long kitchen tongs to lift out the forms, then gently tap the tapered end of the form against the prepared baking tray so the pastry shell slides free.
22. 22Set the cannoli forms aside and let them cool down. Then re-use to form and fry the remaining dough.
23. 23Cool the shells to room temperature and use immediately, or store up to 1 week in an airtight container.