Cannoli Cake has all of the delicious flavors of traditional cannoli. This homemade cake is rich and topped with the best cannoli cream frosting.
One of my favorite Italian Christmas Desserts is this decadent Cannoli Cake. It is so easy and delicious that I make it all year long. The frosting tastes just like homemade cannoli filling and it’s absolutely amazing.
I have been making this for years and we love it. Everyone also loves Cannoli Poke Cake and Cannoli Dip Recipe.
Why We Love This
The entire cake is stunning, and the slices look amazing. However, the recipe is actually very simple. It’s the perfect cake to take when you want to impress but easy enough for any occasion.
This recipe is very moist with the perfect amount of sweetness.
Ingredients
Cake
- All-purpose flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping it. This is more accurate to measure the flour.
- Baking Soda. Don’t worry if you run out. Try one of the Best Baking Soda Substitutes.
- Unsalted butter. I like to control the salt in the recipe and use unsalted butter.
- Large eggs. Allow to come to room temperature before using.
- Vanilla Extract. Use good quality pure vanilla extract.
- Buttermilk. What is Buttermilk?
Frosting
- Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese. The frosting is best with whole milk variety.
- Mascarpone Cheese. Allow to soften so the frosting will be easy to combine.
- Powdered Sugar. Sift before using so there aren’t any lumps.
- Mini chocolate chips. The miniature size is perfect for the frosting.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Thoroughly grease and flour 3 8-inch circle cake pans.
- Step 2. Get out a large mixing bowl. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside the dry ingredients.
Step 3. Use a separate bowl and add the butter and sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until fluffy. You can also use a stand mixer.
Step 4. Next, add the eggs and vanilla and mix together.
Step 5. Gradually add the flour and buttermilk. Start with about half of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Then add in half of the buttermilk and mix.
Step 6. Next, add the remaining flour and buttermilk until mixed together. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 28-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack.
- Step 7. Remove the moisture from the ricotta cheese. Place in between 2 paper towels or cheesecloths. Press firmly on the ricotta cheese to get as much liquid out of the cheese as you can.
- Step 8. Next, put the ricotta cheese in a mixing bowl and fold in the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Step 9. Carefully cut the round portion off of the top of the cakes using a serrated knife. This will make the cakes level. Put 1 of the cakes on a serving platter or cake stand.
Step 10. Then top the cake with the frosting and mini chocolate chips.
Step 11. Continue this process with the next 2 cakes. Frost the top and the sides of the cake with frosting. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
Step 12. Finally, slice and enjoy this wonderful cake.
Storage
Refrigerate any leftovers, covered, for up to 5 days.
Pro Tips
- Crumb Coat. This frosting is soft. You might need to do a slight crumb layer of frosting before completely frosting the sides and the top of the cake.
- We don’t recommend freezing. The ricotta can get grainy, so it’s not recommended for the freezer.
- Allow to cool. The frosting will slide off the cake if the cake is still warm. It’s important to cool completely.
- Don’t overmix the filling. The filling is on the lighter side, and you don’t want to overmix it. Mascarpone cheese will become watery if mixed too much.
- Increase the powdered sugar. If you prefer the frosting heavier and thicker, you can gradually add more sugar until desired consistency.
More Layer Cake Recipes
This delicious Cannoli Cake recipe is a breeze to make for an impressive dessert. Give it a try and then leave a comment and star rating. It is always nice to hear your feedback.
Cannoli Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs room temp
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk room temp
For the Frosting:
- 16 ounces Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
- 16 Ounces Mascarpone Cheese softened
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips divided
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Thoroughly grease and flour 3 8 inch circle cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Place the butter and sugar in a bowl of a stand up mixer. Beat on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla and mxi until combined.
- Add in approximately half of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Add in half of the buttermilk and mix.
- Repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk until all in mixed together.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 28-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
- Use a knife to carefully loosen the cakes from the pan and move them to a cooling rack to cool completely before topping with the frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Place the ricotta cheese in between 2 paper towels or cheesecloths and press firmly down on the ricotta cheese to get as much moisture out of the cheese as possible.
- Place the ricotta cheese in a mixing bowl. Add in the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Mix with an electric mixture until all the ingredients are combined and smooth.
To Assemble the cake:
- Cut the round portion off of the top of the cakes with a serrated knife to make the cakes level.
- Put 1 of the cakes on a serving platter or cake stand. Top the cake with the frosting and mini chocolate chips (approximately ¼ cup).
- Continue this process with the next 2 cakes.
- Frost the top of the cake and the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
- Then the cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
Cannoli Cake is easy with step-by-step instructions. So glad I made this and it’s really delicious.
I want to try this. My question- can you use any pans other than 3 round ones.? Ie a 9×13. I don’t have round ones. Thank you
I haven’t tested this recipe in a 9X13 pan yet but I do have a Cannoli Poke Cake Recipe that is made in a 9X13 pan that is delicious! I hope you try it out!