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Chocolate Chip Cannoli Cake

Want to know something crazy?? The first time I had a cannoli was only a few years ago!! I think cannoli are definitely an East Coast treat, but man am I happy I finally tried them!

My favorite type is the chocolate covered kind, so I incorporated quite a bit of chocolate into this cake. The recipe and tutorial can be found below:

Chocolate Chip Layer Cake Batter:

  • 3 1/4 cup (416 grams) all purpose flour
  • 3 cups (600 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp (13 grams) baking powder
  • 1 tsp (5 grams) salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter or 2 sticks (226 grams), room temperature
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips, tossed with 1 tbsp of flour (helps them from sinking to the bottom of the pan)
  • 2 tsp. (9 grams) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup egg whites (244 grams) – about 7 large egg whites; I use egg whites from the carton to avoid wasting egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 grams) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1/8 cup (28 grams) vegetable oil

Cannoli Filling:

  • 1 1/4 cups (12 oz) ricotta cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

American Buttercream (to make both the vanilla and chocolate frosting):

  • 4 sticks or 2 cups (434 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 8 cups (907 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp (3 grams) salt
  • 2 Tbsp. (30 grams) heavy cream
  • 3 tsp (12 grams) vanilla
  • 6 oz (about 1 cup) melted dark chocolate chips

Additional Decorations:

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 8-inch round pans with parchment rounds, and grease with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix together all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt) in a stand mixer with a paddle until fully combined.

Mix chunks of room-temperature butter slowly into the dry mix, on a low speed. Continue to mix until no large chunks of butter remain, and the mixture becomes crumbly.

Pour in egg whites, and mix on low until just incorporated.  Mix in the buttermilk in two installments, at a low speed.

Add in vanilla and oil, and mix at a low speed until fully incorporated.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Gently fold the chocolate chips into the batter.

Divide evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes (or until a skewer comes out clean).

Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the perimeter of the pan to separate the cake from the pan.

Place cake layers into the freezer for 45 minutes, to accelerate the cooling process.

Once the layers have fully cooled, I like to trim the caramelized bits from the sides of the layers using a serrated knife.

Be sure the layers are completely cooled or chilled before trimming. If you try to trim the layers while they’re still warm, they will crumble apart.

While the cake layers bake and cool, make the chocolate and vanilla buttercream.

Beat the butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle attachment, until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.

Alternate with small splashes of cream. Once fully mixed, add in the vanilla and salt.

Place about 1/3 of the frosting into a separate bowl. Melt the chocolate in 30 second intervals at a low power, until fully melted (mine took about a minute).

Pour into frosting slowly, and stir until fully incorporated. Place into a piping bag, and cut the end to have an opening that is about 3/4 of an inch.

Next, prepare the cannoli filling! Be sure to drain the ricotta before making the filling. If you notice that the brand of ricotta cheese you’re using has a lot of liquid, you may want to drain it overnight.

Add the drained ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract in a mixer bowl, and beat on a low speed until smooth.

Add powdered sugar and cinnamon, until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge.

Stack and frost layers on a 10-inch, grease-proof, cardboard cake round.

Frost a ring of chocolate buttercream around the perimeter of the layer, and add a generous scoop of the cannoli filling onto the center of the layer.

cannoli dam

Spread the cannoli filling around the cake layer until it’s even, being sure it stays within the frosting boarder.

cannoli chip drop

Add a generous drizzle of ganache and a handful of mini chocolate chips. Repeat with the remaining cake layers.

cannoli crumb coat

Cover the cake in a thin crumb coat with any remaining chocolate frosting, and chill in the freezer or fridge for about 5 minutes.

Once the crumb coat is firm to the touch, add a second layer of vanilla frosting. Smooth using a bench scraper.

You can see a full tutorial on how to frost a cake with smooth sides here.

cannoli whtie frosting

Gently press mini chocolate chips around the base of the cake, then chill it for another 5 minutes.

Once the frosting is chilled, add the chocolate ganache drips.  Always be sure to do a test drip, to ensure that your ganache is at the right temperature.

cannoli cake drips

Place remaining vanilla and chocolate frosting into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 1M tip, and pipe large swirls on top of the cake.

Cut the mini cannoli in half, and carefully place on top of each swirl.

cannoli cake cannoli

I alternated chocolate and classic cannoli and also added some more chocolate chips on top of the cake. And that’s it! Then it’s time to cut and enjoy!!

cannoli cut

Terri Schival

Thursday 5th of October 2023

If made the day before, should this cake be refrigerated or is it good at room temperature?

Chelsweets

Monday 9th of October 2023

Hi Terri,

I'd recommend storing this cake in the fridge if you make it in advance because of the filling! Hope that helps, happy baking!

Joe

Friday 7th of July 2023

Hi Chel - big fan of your recipes. One comment. Someone asked you if they should drain the ricotta overnight. I'd add this step to the recipe. The quality and consistency of ricotta cheese varies by brand and that often varies by the area of the country. Draining will certainly help those who have had the problem of the cannoli filling being too thin and adding more sugar should be a last resort.

Chelsweets

Sunday 9th of July 2023

That is a great point Joe! I've updated the recipe to note this. Thank you for letting me know :)

Rio

Thursday 16th of February 2023

Hello, can this cake be made and frozen ahead of time?

Chelsweets

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

Hi Rio,

This cake can be made and frozen ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month! Make sure to move the cake from the freezer to the fridge the night before you plan to eat it to let it thaw gradually. Hope that helps, happy baking!

Rio

Saturday 4th of February 2023

Hello, Is this a cake that I could make a few days in advance and then freeze?

Chelsweets

Sunday 5th of February 2023

Hi Rio,

Great question! It totally can. A frosted cake can last in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month. The buttercream locks in all the moisture, keeping the cake fresh and delicious :) Happy baking!

Monica

Friday 8th of April 2022

Hi! is there any way to turn this in to a chocolate chocolate chip cake? Or can I just use your chocolate cake recipe and fold in the chocolate chips? thanks!