Do you have some cannoli shells Kroger but don’t know what fillings to stuff them with? Then, you’ve come to the right place. Just like you, I was confused with what to do with the cannoli shells that I’ve bought from Kroger a few days ago.
My dilemma ended after finding some great filling recipes online. I’ve tried everything and only a few suited my preferences. For your convenience, I have rounded up the best filling recipes that I’ve tried with the cannoli shells.
1. Ricotta Cheese Filling
If you like a creamy filling for your ready to fill cannoli shells, then the ricotta cheese filling might be a good try. The ricotta cheese blends well with the heavy cream to create that creamy texture. To add aroma, allspice will be added.
Aside from the flavor, allspice offers anti-inflammatory benefits. It may also aid in digestion through managing enzyme secretions in the stomach. The cinnamon in this filling will give that sweet, woody aroma, which complements well with the chocolate chips.
Here are the ingredients that you’ll need:
ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 cup heavy cream
- 1/8 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1/8 cup bittersweet chocolate chipsHalf a lemon
To make this filling, just whisk the ricotta cheese, then add cinnamon, powdered sugar, and allspice in a bowl. Whisk to mix well. In another bowl, whisk the heavy cream until moderately hard. Use a silicone spatula to carefully fold the heavy cream into the ricotta mixture.
Next, stir the lemon zest and chocolate chips into the cream-ricotta mixture. For best results, refrigerate the filling for about 30 minutes to one hour.
To fill the cannoli shells, use a piping bag or pastry bag, just like this. Watch how the filling is done in this video.
2. Pastry Cream Filling
A simpler recipe for cannoli filling is the pastry cream concoction. In this filling, the vanilla extract gives that sweet aroma and taste. The cinnamon will enhance the flavor of the milk. Cinnamon is a great addition to the mix because it contains anti-cancer properties and improves brain function.
Here is the complete list of ingredients:
ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 egg yolks
- A pinch of salt
To create this filling, first, boil the milk with a portion of sugar in a saucepan. While waiting for the milk to boil, whisk the egg yolks with the rest of the sugar and the salt in a bowl. Add the flour to the egg mixture and mix until smooth.
When the milk starts to boil, carefully pour a small portion of it into the egg mixture. Next, pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan. This process will help prevent the eggs from getting curdled.
Continue whisking the mixture in the saucepan for another minute or until it thickens. Turn the heat off from the stove and add the cinnamon and vanilla extract. Place the finished mixture into a bowl and refrigerate for about two hours.
3. Pistachio Filling
If you want your filling to have some nutty crunch on them, then you can do this pistachio filling for your cannoli shells Kroger. More than the taste, pistachios offer essential nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin E. A zest of lemon is also added to bring a fresh and citrusy flavor into your filling.
To make this nutty filling, prepare these following ingredients:
ingredients
- 1/2 cup pistachios, shells removed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cups milk
- Lemon zest
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
In a saucepan, boil two cups of water, then add the pistachios. After a minute, drain and rinse the pistachios with cold water. Peel the nuts and place all in a food processor with half the portion of sugar. Process the nuts and sugar until they turn into powder.
In a bowl, whisk the remaining sugar with the egg yolks, then add the pistachio mixture. Mix to blend well and set aside. In a saucepan, boil the milk and lemon zest.
Get the pistachio mixture and add half of the hot milk portion. Stir to mix well then add the rest of the hot milk and mix again. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat.
While mixture is cooking in the saucepan, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 water and pour into the saucepan. The cornstarch solution will serve as the thickening agent for the filling. Next, add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.
Now that your pistachio filling is done, transfer it into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
Before you start filling, refrigerate for about two hours or so.
4. Mascarpone Cheese Filling
Another cheese variety that you can stuff with your cannoli shells is the mascarpone cheese filling. Mascarpone cheese is made of whole cream and tartaric acid. It has a milky and sweet-tangy taste which suits well with the ricotta cheese
Here is a list of ingredients that you need to have:
ingredients
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/8 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- A pinch of salt
In a bowl, mix all ingredients together. Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour. When cold, use a pastry bag to fill each cannoli shell properly. Never let the filling smoosh at the edges of the shell. You can sprinkle some powdered sugar into the shells before serving.
5. Chocolate Filling
For those who love chocolates, this filling is your best bet. Cocoa powder is used to give that chocolate flavor. Although it has undergone a higher heat temperature during manufacturing, it still manages to keep a large amount of antioxidants that are good for your skin, heart, and blood pressure.
You’ll need some bittersweet chocolate pieces to give that realistic chocolate crunch. To give that creamy texture, ricotta cheese is used. Vanilla gives that sweet aroma and flavor that you’ll certainly love.
Here is the complete list of ingredients:
ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate pieces
In a large bowl, place all ingredients except for the chocolate pieces. Stir or whisk until smooth. Add the chocolate pieces, then cover and refrigerate until cold. When ready, pour the filling into a pastry bag and start filling the cannoli shells the right way.
6. Butterscotch Filling
If you like butterscotch pudding, then this filling is a great option. Together with toffee bits and butterscotch chips, this filling creates a rich, gooey consistency that gives a nice texture when you eat it. You can buy some butterscotch pudding cups or you can make it from scratch.
The cream cheese gives that fresh, mildly tangy taste that balances the sweetness of butterscotch in the filling. This is perfect for vegetarians because this cheese uses citric acid to make the milk. The vanilla extract adds a unique aroma to the mixture.
To get you started, here are the ingredients that you’ll need:
ingredients
- 4 ounces of cream cheese
- 2 (4 ounces) butterscotch pudding cups
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 tablespoons butterscotch chips
- 4 tablespoons toffee bits
To make this filling, just mix the cream cheese with butterscotch pudding, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Then, add the cinnamon, toffee bits, and butterscotch chips. Stir to mix well.
Using a pastry bag, fill each cannoli shell properly. Once all cannoli shells are filled, garnish with some toffee bits on every end of the shell.
7. Cherry Filling
This cannoli shell filling uses finely chopped maraschino cherry to give that fruit sweet fruity flavor. However, this kind of cherry has faced a lot of bad raps regarding its artificial processes. If you like your cherries as natural as possible, check the label and choose those with no artificial flavors, color, and preservatives, just like this.
To get started with this recipe, here is a list of ingredients that you need to have:
ingredients
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup maraschino cherry, chopped
- 2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
If ricotta has too much water content, drain it using a cheesecloth. Next, combine the ricotta with powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in the squeezed cherries and chocolate chips.
After the mixture is lightly blended, add the whipping cream and refrigerate for about half an hour. When chilled, fill into the cannoli shells using a pastry bag.
Make Your Own Filling Now!
Did you enjoy reading this list of filling recipes for your cannoli shells from Kroger? I surely had a wonderful time switching from one filling recipe to another. All you need to have is a pastry bag for a proper filling process.
If you’ve tried any of these filling recipes, let us know in the comments section below. You can also share this post with any person you know if you find this article helpful.
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