Sicilian cannoli is one of the most popular desserts in the world. This wonderful dessert comes from Sicily, where the locals strictly guard the recipe from curious tourists.
Cannoli - Sicilian classic
Cannoli is not just a dessert, but a real symbol of Sicilian culture and gastronomy. They were originally prepared for special occasions, but today they can be found all over the world, although the best remain those that are still prepared according to the original recipe in Sicily.
This recipe is so special that locals rarely share it with tourists, believing that only they know the secret of perfect cannoli.
Original Sicilian cannoli
Ingredients
- 150 g plain flour
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cocoa, coffee or cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lard or soft butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar
- white wine if needed
- oil for frying
- 500 g ricotta (well drained)
- 100-150 g of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon rose water (or milk)
- mini chocolate chips or candied fruit (optional) Take care of the decoration by using pistachios, hazelnuts, chocolate crumbs, candied fruit and powdered sugar.
Directions
- Test preparation:
- In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar and, if desired, cocoa). Then add lard, yolk and vinegar. Slowly pour in the white wine and knead until you get a soft and elastic dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- After resting, roll out the dough into thin sheets and cut out circles with a diameter of about 8 cm. Wrap each circle around the cannoli mold, making sure the ends overlap. Brush the end with egg white to help the dough stick together and hold its shape.
- Fry the cannoli in hot oil (approx. 180°C) until golden brown. When the cannoli is golden and crispy, carefully remove it from the molds and let it cool.
- Preparation of the filling: Pass the ricotta through a sieve, then mix it with the powdered sugar in a bowl. Add rose water or milk and mix until you get a smooth and creamy texture. Stir in mini chocolate chips or candied fruit if desired. Place the filling in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Filling and decoration: Fill the filling into the prepared cannoli with a piping bag. Decorate each end of the cannoli with ground pistachios, hazelnuts, chocolate chips or candied fruit. At the end, you can lightly sprinkle the cannoli with powdered sugar.
