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These no bake cannoli cones are an easy and fun twist on the traditional Italian treat. With crisp sugar cones taking the place of fried shells and a rich ricotta and cream filling piped inside, they offer a quick shortcut without losing that creamy, sweet charm. Kids love the handheld cones while the grownups can’t get enough of the chocolate-dipped rims and topping options. Whether for a party or casual treat, these are a creative and tasty dessert worth trying.
No bake cannoli cones offer a sweet, creamy ricotta filling in a crunchy sugar cone, dipped in chocolate and topped with fun extras like sprinkles and cherries.
You might also like lemon ricotta cookies, apple butter thumbprint cookies or Linzer cookies. And these rum runner cocktails are always fun to drink.
Why You’ll Love It
No baking needed: Perfect for hot days or when you want dessert without the oven.
Fun to customize: Use your favorite toppings for a different treat every time.
Kid-approved: These cone-shaped desserts are a hit with little ones.
Great for parties: Easy to prep ahead and serve in batches.
Creamy texture: The whipped ricotta and cream combo is smooth and satisfying.
No Bake Cannoli Cone Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ricotta cheese: Provides the traditional creamy base for the cannoli filling. Ricotta, which is Italian for recooked is made from the whey leftover from cheese production. The whey is the liquid that is left after milk is curdled and strained. So interestingly it’s a cheese-based product but not an actual cheese.
Whipping cream: Adds lightness and volume when whipped to stiff peaks.
Icing sugar: Sweetens the ricotta without graininess.
Cinnamon: Gives a warm hint of spice that balances the sweetness.
Mini chocolate chips: Melted for dipping the cones and also add texture.
Sugar cones: Serve as a crisp, no-bake alternative to cannoli shells.
How to Make Cannoli Cones
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Melt the chocolate: Heat mini chocolate chips until smooth.
Dip the cones: Coat the rims in melted chocolate and add toppings if using. Let cool.
Drain the ricotta: Wrap in a cloth and squeeze out excess liquid.
Mix the filling: Blend ricotta, icing sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
Whip the cream: Beat to stiff peaks and fold into the ricotta mix.
Fill the cones: Pipe the filling into cooled cones.
Top and serve: Add toppings and enjoy immediately.
Substitutions and Variations
Use mascarpone: Swap half the ricotta for mascarpone for a richer flavor. Ricotta is fluffy, light and moist. It’s low in fat and a bit grainy in texture. Mascarpone, on the other hand, is more tart which means it can overpower mild-tasting ingredients. Some home cooks prefer to use it because it’s thicker than ricotta so won’t make dishes soggy. The choice is yours, so pick one or use some of each.
Try different cones: Use chocolate cones for a twist. Waffle cones would work just as well and offer a different texture.
Add mini chips: Stir chocolate or butterscotch chips into the filling.
Make it nut-free: Skip nuts and use crushed cookies or dried fruit instead.
Serving Suggestions
With a drink: Enjoy a Starbucks pink drink, state fair style lemonade or Italian cream soda with your cannoli cone.
With other sweet treats: You’ll find they pair beautifully with blueberry meringue squares and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
How to Store Cannoli Cones
Store: These are best served immediately but if you’re making the cones ahead, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freeze: Freezing the cones makes them soggy, so it’s best not to make them until the day you plan to serve them.
Top Tips
Drain the ricotta well: This keeps the filling thick and prevents soggy cones. The more liquid you squeeze out of the ricotta mixture the better. If you need a little extra time before serving and are worried about the ricotta whipped cream melting, you can add a stabilizer such as gelatin to the ricotta whipped cream to help keep it a bit more stable
Use stiff whipped cream: It helps the filling hold its shape inside the cone.
Cool the cones before filling: Warm cones can melt the cream.
Serve upright: Use wine glasses or boxes to keep cones standing while filling and serving.
No Bake Cannoli Cones FAQs
Yes, but the homemade version is creamier and has a fresher taste.
Great topping ideas for cannoli cones include turbinado sugar, crushed nuts such as peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts, or pecans, chocolate sprinkles, chopped maraschino cherries or glacé cherries, diced raisins, chopped dried cranberries, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, and crushed cookies.
Easy No Bake Cannoli Cones Recipe
No Bake Cannoli Cones
Equipment
- Cheesecloth
- Pastry Bag or Ziploc Bag with Snipped Corner
- Ice Cream Cone Holder Optional
Ingredients
- 15 Ounces ricotta cheese, full fat is best
- ¾ Cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅔ Cup icing sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, minis
- 9 ice cream cones, I used sugar cones
Optional Toppings
- 4 Tablespoons shredded coconut
- 2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 4 Tablespoons crushed nuts, any kind
- 9 cocoa nibs
- 3 Tablespoons sprinkles
- 9 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- In a small microwave safe dish, melt the semi- sweet chocolate chips. If you are adding any toppings to the rim of your cones, pour some of the toppings onto a small plate and set aside.
- Once the chocolate is melted, begin dipping the tops of the cones into the chocolate, about and inch deep. If you are adding toppings to the rim of your cones, while the chocolate is still wet roll the cones into your topping of choice. Set finished cone aside to cool and set.
- While your cones are cooling, take your ricotta cheese and scoop it into the center of a piece of cheesecloth or a clean flour sack style towel. (It's best to do this step over an empty bowl or sink). Gather all the edges of the towel and twist as tight as you can. This will help drain any liquid that is inside of the ricotta.
- After the ricotta has been drained, take it out of the towel and put it into a bowl of a mixer.
- Add the powdered sugar and cinnamon to the ricotta and mix until well combined. Set aside
- Whip your heavy cream to stiff peaks, when complete, pour your ricotta mixture into the bowl with the whipped cream and fold to combine.
- Pour your ricotta whipped cream into a piping bag. Starting at the bottom of the cooled chocolate dipped cones pipe the cream into the cones. Set the finished cone aside upright. If you don't have an ice cream cone holder, you can use wine glasses or a cardboard box with holes cut out of the top to set the cones in.
- Continue filling all of your cones. Once all filled, you can top with any topping of your choice.
- These are best served right away. If you do need to make them in advance, stop after step 6 and store the cream in an airtight container in the fridge, and the cones in a separate airtight container on the counter. Fill your cones immediately before serving.
Notes
Use stiff whipped cream: It helps the filling hold its shape inside the cone.
Cool the cones before filling: Warm cones can melt the cream.
Serve upright: Use wine glasses or boxes to keep cones standing while filling and serving.
Nutrition
These no bake cannoli cones are the perfect solution for when you want a quick, impressive dessert without using the oven. With rich ricotta filling, crunchy sugar cones and endless topping possibilities, this recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite. Whether you make them for a summer BBQ, kids’ party or just a fun dessert night, this no bake cannoli delight recipe brings flavor and creativity to the table with minimal effort.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Why did I never think of putting cannoli in a cone before? Genius! And they were enjoyed by all the kids.
I never thought about ever putting a cannoli in a cone. This is such a great idea and looks like a delicious dessert.
Oh yum! This is just what I need for my sweet tooth!
I cannot find anything better than a good ice cream
These look so good! I love using ricotta for desserts.
Oh heck yes! I would love this dessert. I am obsessed with cannolis.
way too cute! must try these