A New Christmas Tradition: Pizzelle and Cannoli Dip

A few years ago my husband gave me a pizzelle maker for Christmas.  We have been making pizzelle every year since then, making it a new family tradition.  They are so simple to make! If you have never tasted a pizzelle, think fresh baked waffle cone!  Yum!

They are so versatile too! You can make them flat, roll them up and use as cannoli shells or even break them into large pieces and serve with a big bowl of cannoli dip (recipe below).  My friend even used store bought pizzelle she found at Aldi to make s'mores.  They also make great neighbor and teacher gifts.  Just put them in a plastic treat tag and tie with a pretty ribbon!

We found this super simple and yummy recipe on Cooking Classy.  They serve the dip with plain and chocolate graham cracker sticks.  Check out their post for beautiful pictures.

Just a few ingredients to make this yummy cannoli dip

Cannoli Dip by Cooking Classy 

15 oz. Ricotta cheese, strained
8 oz. Mascarpone cheese
2/3 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

 In a mixing bowl, using a spatula, blend together ricotta and mascarpone cheeses, while pressing mixture along bottom of bowl to smooth mixture.  Fold in powdered sugar.  In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.  Add half of whipped cream to ricotta mixture and fold until combined, then add remaining half and fold until combined.  Fold in chocolate chips, reserving 1-2 tablespoons to garnish.  Refrigerate to stiffen.  Serve topped with remaining chocolate chips, dusted lightly with powdered sugar if desired and serve with broken pizzelle cookies or as filling for cannoli shells*

*If using as a filling for cannoli shells, we omit the chocolate chips as they will "clog" the piping bag used to fill the shells.


Cannoli Bar

We like to set up a cannoli bar so guests can make their own cannoli.  We set out unfilled cannoli shells, a piping bag of cannoli dip, small bowls of mini chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, etc.  This way your cannoli don't get soggy and guests can make them any way they like.  So much fun!

If you like the idea of a cannoli bar, check out our chocolate covered strawberry bar!

Click here to read about farfallette dolci, an Italian Christmas cookie we have been making for at least 6 generations!