“When you go to the hardware shop today, could you buy me some broom handles? I’m going to try and make a broomstick to fly on” I instant messaged Mr NQN. “You want a plastic or a wooden one?” he answered back within seconds. Yes the unflappable Mr NQN doesn’t bat an eyelid at the suggestion that I want to learn how to fly on a broomstick. But I was joking of course, I needed the broomsticks to make Cannoli!
Lisa Michele is a lovely blogger friend and I was so excited to see that she was hosting this month’s Daring Baker’s challenge. After hosting the September challenge I understand how impossible it is to please everyone and I felt for Lisa when some people poopoohed the idea based on the cost of equipment or the dislike of deep frying. I dislike deep frying too but hey it’s cannoli people. If there’s one thing to break the rule for, it’s pastry!
It turns out that my parents had an old clean broomstick that they cut up and gave to me. They’re good that way and even they don’t blink an eyelid at random strange requests like this:
“Hello Mother,
Do you guys have an old clean wooden broomstick or a stick. I need to make 4x 6-8inch wooden batons that are 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter and they suggest a wooden broomstick. It has to be wooden or metal as they need to be deep fried.
Bye,
Lorraine”
Oiled broomsticks with cannoli dough wrapped around it
I decided to make a bit of a tower of cannoli in three different flavours: a black olive and dark chocolate cannoli, a Rice Pudding cannoli and a Finger Bun cannoli. I understand these are all varying degrees of madness and I’m sure an Italian Nonna would cluck disapprovingly at my variations. I only rested the dough for 1 3/4 hours and it pulled back a lot when I cut it so I’d definitely recommend letting the dough sit overnight to allow the gluten to relax even more. And fellow deep frying phobes, rest assured there is very little spitting when the dough is fried which I was very relieved about.
Like when you buy cannoli these are best assembled just before eating so that the shell remains crispy so you get that lovely crunch accompanying that lovely creamy centre. Mr NQN’s favourite was the Finger Bun cannoli stuffed with sultanas, edged with pink icing and coconut. My favourite was the creamy Rice Pudding cannoli with fragrant nutmeg scented rice, pistachios and chocolate. The black olive and chocolate one, well that wasn’t bad and one that I did enjoy.
The November 2009 Daring Bakers Challenge was chosen and hosted by Lisa Michele of Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drives. She chose the Italian Pastry, Cannolo (Cannoli is plural), using the cookbooks Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and The Sopranos Family Cookbook by Allen Rucker; recipes by Michelle Scicolone, as ingredient/direction guides. She added her own modifications/changes, so the recipe is not 100% verbatim from either book.
Cannoli
Cannoli are known as Italian-American pastries, although the origin of cannoli dates back to Sicily, specifically Palermo, where it was prepared during Carnevale season, and according to lore, as a symbol of fertility. The cannoli is a fried, tube-shaped pastry shell (usually containing wine) filled with a creamy amalgamation of sweetened ricotta cheese, chocolate, candied fruit or zest, and sometimes nuts. Although not traditional, mascarpone cheese is also widely used, and in fact, makes for an even creamier filling when substituted for part of the ricotta, or by itself. However, cannoli can also be filled with pastry creams, mousses, whipped cream, ice cream etc. You could also add your choice of herbs, zests or spices to the dough, if desired. Marsala is the traditional wine used in cannoli dough, but any red or white wine will work fine, as it’s not only added for flavor or color, but to relax the gluten in the dough since it can be a stiff dough to work with. By the way, the name ‘Lidisano’ is a combination of Lidia, Lisa and Sopranos..LOL
Equipment:
Cannoli forms/tubes – optional, but recommended if making traditional shaped cannoli. Dried cannelloni pasta tubes work just as well! (I used a sawed broom handle)
Deep, heavy saucepan, enough to hold at least 2-3-inches of oil or deep fryer
Deep fat frying thermometer. although the bread cube or bit of dough test will work fine.
Metal tongs
Brass or wire skimmer OR large slotted spoon
Pastry bag with large star or plain tip, but a snipped ziplock bag, butter knife or teaspoon will work fine.
Cooling rack
Paper bags or paper towels
Pastry Brush
Cheesecloth
Sieve or fine wire mesh strainer
Electric Mixer, stand or hand, optional, as mixing the filling with a spoon is fine.
Food Processor or Stand Mixer – also optional, since you can make the dough by hand, although it takes more time.
Rolling pin and/or Pasta roller/machine
Pastry or cutting board
Round cutters – The dough can also be cut into squares and rolled around the cannoli tube prior to frying. If making a stacked cannoli, any shaped cutter is fine, as well as a sharp knife.
Mixing bowl and wooden spoon if mixing filling by hand
Plastic Wrap/Clingfilm
Tea towels or just cloth towels
Required: Must make cannoli dough and shells. If you don’t have or do not want to purchase cannoli forms, which I would never ask of any of you, you could simply cut out circles, squares, or any shapes you want and stack them with the filling of your choice to make stacked cannoli’s aka Cannolipoleons (directions below). If desired, you can channel MacGuyver and fashion something heat proof to get traditional shaped cannoli (6-8 inch sawed off lengths of a wooden broom stick or cane, sanded down and oiled, is THE authentic cannoli form!), or non-traditional shapes such as creating a form to make bowls, or even using cream horns if you happen to have them. Mini cannoli would be great too, and I’ve provided links to retailers of cannoli forms of all sizes.
Also, for those who don’t like to cook or bake with alcohol – grape juice, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, apple juice..any sweet juice of a fruit, especially ones used in or to make wine, can be substituted. Just add a little more vinegar to insure you get enough acid to relax the dough.
Variations: The filling is YOUR choice! Anything you want to fill them with is perfectly fine, sweet or savory, or you can use the filling recipe provided – making whatever changes you want to it. Cannoli would make a great addition to a Thanksgiving dessert table/spread. In many Italian households, during the holidays, cannoli is always part of the dessert offerings. You could also make a Thanksgiving themed cannoli, like pumpkin cannoli (I came up with a great pumpkin filling recipe below) or apples, pecans, walnuts, any dried fruits etc. An idea to gussy up your cannoli is; dipping the rims of the shell in melted chocolate and rolling in chopped nuts or sprinkles, then letting them set prior to filling. Dipping or pressing mini chocolate chips into the filled ends OR just stirring mini chocolate chips into the filling prior to stacking or filling whatever shaped shells you come up with, is another great idea and makes a nice presentation The sky is the limit here, be creative! Naturally, if you have any dietary restrictions, by all means, go with it. I’ve provided a link to a gluten-free cannoli recipe and a slightly savory vegan cannoli recipe to help get you started.
Bonus option: Make your own ricotta and/or mascarpone cheese! http://lisamichele.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/eating-my-curds-and-ditching…
http://www.bakingobsession.com/2009/05/02/homemade-mascarpone-cheese/
Technically, I know, this is not baking, and if you prefer to steer clear of the deep fry, you can bake the shell. You won’t get the snappy, blistery texture and appearance that make cannoli so special, but I’m sure it’ll taste good nonetheless. Here’s a link where the cook bakes some of his cannoli shells: http://www.ifood.tv/network/cannoli/recipes
Lidisano’s Cannoli
Makes 22-24 4-inch cannoli
Prep time:
Dough – 2 hours and 10-20 minutes, including resting time, and depending on whether you do it by hand or machine.
Filling – 5-10 minutes plus chilling time (about 2 hours or more)
Frying – 1-2 minutes per cannoli
Assemble – 20–30 minutes
CANNOLI SHELLS
2 cups (250 grams/16 ounces) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons(28 grams/1 ounce) sugar
1 teaspoon (5 grams/0.06 ounces) unsweetened baking cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon (1.15 grams/0.04 ounces) ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (approx. 3 grams/0.11 ounces) salt
3 tablespoons (42 grams/1.5 ounces) vegetable or olive oil
1 teaspoon (5 grams/0.18 ounces) white wine vinegar
Approximately 1/2 cup (approx. 59 grams/approx. 4 fluid ounces/approx. 125 ml) sweet Marsala or any white or red wine you have on hand
1 large egg, separated (you will need the egg white but not the yolk)
Vegetable or any neutral oil for frying – about 2 quarts (8 cups/approx. 2 litres)
1/2 cup (approx. 62 grams/2 ounces) toasted, chopped pistachio nuts, mini chocolate chips/grated chocolate and/or candied or plain zests, fruits etc.. for garnish
Confectioners’ sugar
Note – If you want a chocolate cannoli dough, substitute a few tablespoons of the flour (about 25%) with a few tablespoons of dark, unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch process) and a little more wine until you have a workable dough (Thanks to Audax).
CANNOLI FILLING
For Finger Bun Cannoli
- 250g ricotta cheese, drained
- 1/3 cups cup (40 grams/1.5 ounces) confectioner’s sugar, (more or less, depending on how sweet you want it), sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons sultanas
- 3/4 cup icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 teaspoons water
- a very small amount of pink food colouring gel (I use a toothpick to measure it)
- 2 tablespoons dessicated or shredded coconut
1. In a bowl, beat the drained ricotta until smooth and then add sifted icing sugar. Stir in sultanas or raisins and your filling is ready.
2. For dipping icing: in another bowl, place icing sugar and oil and add water until a dippable consistency is reached. Add food colouring and stir. Dip the fried cannoli shells in the icing. Sprinkle the icing lightly with coconut and allow to set.
3. Fit a piping bag with a star tip and and place ricotta filling in the bag. Insert the tip in the cannoli shell and squeeze gently until the shell is half filled. Turn the shell and fill the other side.
F0r Black Olive and Dark Chocolate Cannoli:
- 250g ricotta cheese, drained
- 1/3 cups cup (40 grams/1.5 ounces) confectioner’s sugar, (more or less, depending on how sweet you want it), sifted
- 1 tablespoon well drained black olives (I drained them against a few paper towels overnight and pressed down to get rid of all of the water) finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate melted
1. In a bowl, beat the drained ricotta until smooth and then add sifted icing sugar.
2. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in a microwave and dip the fried cannoli shells in the chocolate. Sprinkle the chocolate lightly with finely chopped black olives and allow to set.
3. Fit a piping bag with a star tip and and place ricotta filling in the bag. Insert the tip in the cannoli shell and squeeze gently until the shell is half filled. Turn the shell and fill the other side.
For Rice Pudding Cannoli:
- 2/3 cup of medium grain rice
- 1/2 litre milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate melted
- 3 tablespoon finely chopped pistachios
1. In a medium saucepan, heat milk until boiling and add rice and turn down to low and cook for 45 minutes with lid on until rice is soft and milk has absorbed. Add sugar, salt, nutmeg and vanilla. Cool thoroughly. Once completely cool, stir in whipped cream.
2. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in a microwave and dip the fried cannoli shells in the chocolate. Dip the chocolate lightly in finely chopped pistachios and allow to set.
3. Fit a piping bag with a star tip and and place rice pudding filling in the bag. Insert the tip in the cannoli shell and squeeze gently until the shell is half filled. Turn the shell and fill the other side.
DIRECTIONS FOR SHELLS:
The cannoli dough and sawed broomsticks
1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer or food processor, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the oil, vinegar, and enough of the wine to make a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and well blended, about 2 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge from 2 hours to overnight.
2 Cut the dough into two pieces. Keep the remaining dough covered while you work. Lightly flour a large cutting or pastry board and roll the dough until super thin, about 1/16 to 1/8” thick (An area of about 13 inches by 18 inches should give you that). Cut out 3 to 5-inch circles (3-inch – small/medium; 4-inch – medium/large; 5-inch;- large. Your choice). Roll the cut out circle into an oval, rolling it larger and thinner if it’s shrunk a little.
3 Oil the outside of the cannoli tubes (You only have to do this once, as the oil from the deep fry will keep them well, uhh, oiled..lol). Roll a dough oval from the long side (If square, position like a diamond, and place tube/form on the corner closest to you, then roll) around each tube/form and dab a little egg white on the dough where the edges overlap. (Avoid getting egg white on the tube, or the pastry will stick to it.) Press well to seal. Set aside to let the egg white seal dry a little.
4. In a deep heavy saucepan, pour enough oil to reach a depth of 3 inches, or if using an electric deep-fryer, follow the manufacturer’s directions. Heat the oil to 375°F (190 °C) on a deep fry thermometer, or until a small piece of the dough or bread cube placed in the oil sizzles and browns in 1 minute. Have ready a tray or sheet pan lined with paper towels or paper bags.
5. Carefully lower a few of the cannoli tubes into the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan. Fry the shells until golden, about 2 minutes, turning them so that they brown evenly.
8. Lift a cannoli tube with a wire skimmer or large slotted spoon, out of the oil. Using tongs, grasp the cannoli tube at one end. Very carefully remove the cannoli tube with the open sides straight up and down so that the oil flows back into the pan. Place the tube on paper towels or bags to drain. Repeat with the remaining tubes. While they are still hot, grasp the tubes with a potholder and pull the cannoli shells off the tubes with a pair of tongs, or with your hand protected by an oven mitt or towel. Let the shells cool completely on the paper towels. Place shells on cooling rack until ready to fill.
9. Repeat making and frying the shells with the remaining dough. If you are reusing the cannoli tubes, let them cool before wrapping them in the dough.
Pasta Machine method:
1. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Starting at the middle setting, run one of the pieces of dough through the rollers of a pasta machine. Lightly dust the dough with flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Pass the dough through the machine repeatedly, until you reach the highest or second highest setting. The dough should be about 4 inches wide and thin enough to see your hand through
2. Continue rolling out the remaining dough. If you do not have enough cannoli tubes for all of the dough, lay the pieces of dough on sheets of plastic wrap and keep them covered until you are ready to use them.
3, Roll, cut out and fry the cannoli shells as according to the directions above.
For stacked cannoli:
1. Heat 2-inches of oil in a saucepan or deep sauté pan, to 350-375°F (176 – 190 °C).
2. Cut out desired shapes with cutters or a sharp knife. Deep fry until golden brown and blistered on each side, about 1 – 2 minutes. Remove from oil with wire skimmer or large slotted spoon, then place on paper towels or bags until dry and grease free. If they balloon up in the hot oil, dock them lightly prior to frying. Place on cooling rack until ready to stack with filling.
DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING:
1. Line a strainer with cheesecloth. Place the ricotta in the strainer over a bowl, and cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Weight it down with a heavy can, and let the ricotta drain in the refrigerator for several hours to overnight.
2. In a bowl with electric mixer, beat ricotta until smooth and creamy. Beat in confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and blend until smooth. Transfer to another bowl and stir in chocolate, zest and nuts. Chill until firm.(The filling can be made up to 24 hours prior to filling the shells. Just cover and keep refrigerated).
ASSEMBLE THE CANNOLI:
1. When ready to serve..fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain or star tip, or a ziplock bag, with the ricotta cream. If using a ziplock bag, cut about 1/2 inch off one corner. Insert the tip in the cannoli shell and squeeze gently until the shell is half filled. Turn the shell and fill the other side. You can also use a teaspoon to do this, although it’s messier and will take longer.
2. Press or dip cannoli in chopped pistachios, grated chocolate/mini chocolate chips, candied fruit or zest into the cream at each end. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and/or drizzles of melted chocolate if desired.
PUMPKIN FILLING
1/2 cup (123 grams/4.34 ounces) ricotta cheese, drained
1/2 cup (113 grams/4.04 ounces) mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup (122.5 grams/4.32 ounces) canned pumpkin, drained like ricotta
3/4 cup (75 grams/2.65 ounces) confectioner’s sugar, sifted
1/2 to 1 teaspoon (approx. 1.7 grams/approx. 0.06 ounces) pumpkin pie spice (taste)
1/2 teaspoon (approx. 2 grams/approx. 0.08 ounces) pure vanilla extract
6-8 cannoli shells
1. In a bowl with electric mixer, beat ricotta and mascarpone until smooth and creamy. Beat in confectioner’s sugar, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and blend until smooth. Transfer to another bowl, cover and chill until it firms up a bit. (The filling can be made up to 24 hours prior to filling the shells. Just cover and keep refrigerated).
2. Fill the shells as directed above. I dipped the ends of the shells in caramelized sugar and rolled them in toasted, chopped pecans.
Top row – left to right: Filling the cannoli, variety of cannoli Bottom row – left to right: Stacked cannoli, pumpkin cannoli
TIPS AND NOTES:
- Dough must be stiff and well kneaded
- Rolling the dough to paper thinness, using either a rolling pin or pasta machine, is very important. If the dough is not rolled thin enough, it will not blister, and good cannoli should have a blistered surface.
- Initially, this dough is VERY stubborn, but keep rolling, it eventually gives in. Before cutting the shapes, let the dough rest a bit, covered, as it tends to spring back into a smaller shapes once cut. Then again, you can also roll circles larger after they’re cut, and/or into ovals, which gives you more space for filling.
- Your basic set of round cutters usually doesn’t contain a 5-inch cutter. Try a plastic container top, bowl etc, or just roll each circle to 5 inches. There will always be something in your kitchen that’s round and 5-inches if you want large cannoli.
- Oil should be at least 3 inches deep and hot – 360°F-375°F, or you’ll end up with greasy shells. I prefer 350°F – 360°F because I felt the shells darkened too quickly at 375°F.
- If using the cannoli forms, when you drop the dough on the form into the oil, they tend to sink to the bottom, resulting in one side darkening more. Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to gently lift and roll them while frying.
- DO NOT crowd the pan. Cannoli should be fried 2-4 at a time, depending on the width of your saucepan or deep fryer. Turn them once, and lift them out gently with a slotted spoon/wire skimmer and tongs. Just use a wire strainer or slotted spoon for flat cannoli shapes.
- When the cannoli turns light brown – uniform in color, watch it closely or remove it. If it’s already a deep brown when you remove it, you might end up with a really dark or slightly burnt shell.
- Depending on how much scrap you have left after cutting out all of your cannoli shapes, you can either fry them up and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar for a crispy treat, or let the scraps rest under plastic wrap and a towel, then re-roll and cut more cannoli shapes.
- Push forms out of cannoli very gently, being careful not to break the shells as they are very delicate. DO NOT let the cannoli cool on the form, or you may never get it off without it breaking. Try to take it off while still hot. Hold it with a cloth in the center, and push the form out with a butter knife or the back of a spoon.
- When adding the confectioner’s sugar to the filling..TASTE. You may like it sweeter than what the recipe calls for, or less sweet, so add in increments.
- Fill cannoli right before serving! If you fill them an hour or so prior, you’ll end up with soggy cannoli shells.
- If you want to prepare the shells ahead of time, store them in an airtight container, then re-crisp in a 350°F (176 °C) oven for a few minutes, before filling.
- Practice makes perfect. My first batch of shells came out less than spectacular, and that’s an understatement. As you go along, you’ll see what will make them more aesthetically pleasing, and adjust accordingly when rolling. My next several batches turned out great. Don’t give up!!
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72 Comments | Add your own
Is it possible to fry a metal baton? I would think it would make the oil spit like crazy compared to a wooden baton.
They finger bun cannoli are so adorable! Actually they are all adorable. Great work as usual Lorraine:)
Such an impressive cannoli tower! Great job as usual! Have fun in Austria! xoxo Mum
Finger bun cannoli – I LOVE it!!!!
Don’t know where to start! Broomsticks? Brilliant! Who would’ve thought! Black olive? Well, interesting and maybe worth a try! Your cannolis? Stunning, just stunning! Love the flavors and they are just too pretty!
Wow, your cannoli are so pretty! You really did a great job!
Cheers,
Rosa
wow!!! sooo pretttyy!! i love this idea!!! very impressive!!
HAAPPYY THANXGIVING!!
Cannoli can make crazy!! Your cannoli turned out scrumptious… they can sweeten your life, literally
Cheers!
Gera
These look absolutely divine – and very involved too…..well done on making them, they almost look too beautiful to eat!!
Yours look fantastic Lorraine. I love your requests to your husband (not many guys would ask, wooden or plastic?) and your request to your mum.
Wow I love your creative flavours Lorraine! Especially finger bun, yum…Hahaha your email to your mum is so funny, that’s lovely how they just cut it up for you and handed it over without the blink of an eye
He, he, I love your brand of madness – what terrific, fun flavours!!! Also love that your family are so used to your requests that they even consider the suggestion of learning to fly on a broomstick without comment. Love it!
They look absolutely AMAZING!!!! Congratulations – you must be so please dwith how they turned out
Absolutely stunning!
You are so so talented. These look amazing! I don’t think I could even attempt to make something that beautiful. Great post.
what a great way to spend some time with my friends this weekend,preparing and consumming these beautiful morsels,yum!
Gorgous, NQN! Of course, we expect no less
I adore the varieties you came up with, I’m sure Meggie would love the chocolate and olive option! xxx
Those look so delicious! And you are to be applauded for taking the challenge on! This would have sent me reaching for the “too hard” basket! They look like they were well worth the effort!
Love the quirky flavours of your cannoli fillings!
YUMMM!
how do you think of this stuff?!
i love that no challenge is too difficult and you give everything a go.
i never realised just how much work goes into making cannoli.. renewed appreciation!
oooh yum the rice pudding ones sound amazing. I have actually never had a cannoli in my life, and to be honest, this recipe suggests never would I be able to make one without disaster, but I will most certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for some to buy
i love your presentation and colours!
theyre so pretty, like a bouquet of flowers!
Lorraine! These are so creative! I love the finger bun one and the rice pudding one sounds delicious!! I like how you ended your email with a ‘bye’ – haha. And how nice of them to cut up the broomstick for you!
Read a few darling bakers november challenge, your presentation surely stands out
I’ve not seen any stack of cannoli that is as festive as yours.
Almost Bourdain used cannoli pasta shells instead of broomstick.
I learn something new every day
I wish I had your Mum! I just spent 15 minutes explaining to my husband on the phone why I want him to bring home a broom stick. Because I saw it on “Not Quite Nigella” should be enough
My favourite dessert glammed up! Your imagination never ceases to amaze me Lorraine! They are beautifully presented. Maybe a pumpkin pie one for Thanksgiving?
Ooh your cannoli look spectacular in that tower formation and with all the pretty colours
I like the sound of the finger bun cannoli especially!
Happy Thanksgiving Lorraine,
OMG you are so creative and inspiring. That is a lot of work and gorgeous pyramid of cannolis. I have never tried one but love to look at them. I photographed some the other day at The Monte Carlo Restaurant and Italian Store in Burbank, California. NQN you are amazing! Love the story you tell.
Love,
Marilyn ♥
Very creative!! How did you even come up with ideas like that? Impressive!
I’m totally stunned they look so good and you made so many of them and the photographs are goregous as always. Rice Pudding cannoli and a Finger Bun cannoli I think I’m with your BH the Finger Bun one for me – I just love finger buns. Love the colours of the stack of treats and yes you are right the oil doesn’t spit at all. Wonderful effort and bravo on the fabulous result. Cheers from Audax in Australia.
What a beautiful tower of cannoli you’ve got there! I can’t believe how many flavours you have – you could have given my 30 flavours a run for its money! haha… clap clap.
oh how delightful it looks! I love the effort people put into these challenges and you certainly went to effort! congratulations! I think I’d be leaning towards the Finger Bun option myself…..its an idea for me to try!
this tower of delicious looking Shells is amazing.
love what you did with the challenge.
Well done, they look very pretty and I am sure all those flavours taste fantastic
they look staggeringly pretty!!
Waw,…Lorraine!! I am overwhelmed by your Cannoli talents!! These stack looks so inviting!! Your writing is very entertaining too! A master job excellent done!!
I love the rice pudding cannoli the most! Don’t forget about the award that I gave you!! Come over @ my latest post & pick it up!! Hoeray!!! Congrats!!!
Hi lorraine good effort !!! in our family we don’t even try making cannoli without my nonna in control of operations !!! she is 83 sicilian and decides who does what. I am 37 and only now am allowed to cut out the pastry and assemble onto the sticks for deep frying. I thought you might like to know that in our family the funnels for deep frying are bamboo, I think it was an adaptation made many years ago when Italians were new in Australia and Nonna’s funnels were lost! I hope to inherit them one day as they are highly valued in my family and smooth and golden after decades of use.
So deliciously beautiful, now I feel like Cannoli:-( . Can’t get my head around the black olive & chocolate flavoured ones but I think that I’d like the other two. I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to Cannoli ( my favourite Italian sweet) and I heart the ricotta ones the most. My dream is to one day visit a little island called Lampedusa situated half way between Sicily and Tunisia, where they are renowned for making the best Ricotta Cannoli.
Your cannoli are beautiful! I also love the different filling combinations you did, so different but fantastic. Stunning photos as always
I’ve never had canneoli, but they look amazing. My mom and sister were watching this show called Cake Wrecks and they were making canneolis just as you described. I’m so impressed you made those! And that request is so funny!
Come over any time. I’ll stuff you so full of pie, bbq and Mexican food you’ll never want to go back home!
Gorgeous Lorraine! Love the flavours in this – so much fun!
Wow! That is a wonderful post!!!!Delicious recipe and beautiful pictures
You did NOT use broomsticks. Of course you did! LOL. After Palmermo(where they are amazing), go to Australia. Love your tower.
yet again, you seem to have gone above and beyond the call for excellence. i’m terribly impressed, but that’s nothing new.
Love the look of your cannoli – all piled together and decorated so nice! I’m sure the taste was great! Cheers.
Oooh, that finger bun cannoli sounds amazing to me!! Love your photos.
Those look wonderful. Such fun to read about daring bakers and the different ways each of you makes the cannolis.
Yours looks great and the flavors sound wonderful! I’m so impressed with everyone who made their own canoli forms – true daring bakers!
Wow! Very informative! Thanks!
What a delicious line up of flavours. So creative. Finger bun? My favourite!
Love how you used the broom. I was lazy and invested the few dollars to buy the tubes. Much easier than sawing!
what a great flowers mountain of cannoli.
Aamazing!
Wow, your cannoli came out perfect! I love the flavors you chose!
Love how your husband and parents don’t even blink an eye at your unusual requests
Your cannoli look fantastic, and I love your flavours – don’t know if I could pick a favourite from those 3.
Forgot to mention Lorraine, that you can also use Bamboo cane cut to size instead of the broomstick for frying the cannoli. Keep up the great work !!
Lorraine,
YOU are a kitchen goddess, no doubt about it! I LOVE that you sawed your own cannoli forms, and I’m in deep love with the rice pudding cannoli, as well as curious to try the dark chcolate black olive cannoli..sweet and briney.
Also, your cannoli are some of THE most beautiful in this challenge. The pink dipped shells with coconut are gorgeous, and your filling perfectly piped. A pyramid I’d definitely love to climb with my mouth!
Thanks so much for baking, well..deep frying with me this month. OH, did I mention your photos are stunning? Wait..I always mention that, don’t I? lol
Hi Lorraine ,
Bravo for these rolls the photo is beautiful and the recipe is scrumptious !! cheers from Paris where it rains this is end of autummn ! Pierre
Yum, rice pudding filled cannoli! And the black olive and chocolate, I have to try. Beautiful cannoli.
I love the cannoli Tower! And thanks for the step by step post, I’ve always wanted to make cannoli, so this will come handy when I do decide to!
YUM, such lovely cannoli! And I LOLed at your email to your mother. Hilarious
Seemed a few folks were a little fussy about the challenge in the forums, which was of course silly. It was a fantastic challenge, and the point isn’t to make something you make all the time, right? Hope some folks adjust their ‘tudes a bit next time around!
Oh my! I gasped out loud when I saw your cannoli. Talk about impressive! Fantastic work. I’m sure everyone enjoyed the treat. Yes, I too felt for our host as they really aren’t that difficult or expensive.
I think that’s the prettiest cannoli display I’ve ever seen!
They look just great.
I think family of food bloggers just accept we are weird sometimes and just aren’t surprised with such unusual requests.
Those are all so lovely and such interesting flavors! Now I’m a little sad that I didn’t participate this month…but it was nice to not have to worry about it.
Ooooo what beautiful cannoli!
I love the pink ones!
So pretty!
Hi grub-Absolutely yes
wwater is what makes oil spit so if it’s dry it would be fine 
Hi shaz-thankyou so much!
Hi Barbara-Thanks mum!
xxx
Hi Mardi-hehe thanks!
Hi Jamie-haha hubby liked the black olive but he likes kind of strange flavours
Thankyou so much! You are too kind my darling. yours looked fabulous and have a great time in London! 
Hi rosa-Thanks so much!
Hi nora-Haha thankyou very much! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Hi Gera-Haha I agree!
Hi Katrina-Hehe thankyou so much! I ended up eating so many
hi Anita-Thanks very much! They’re used to my strange requests
HI Steph-Thankyou!
yes they are so used to it, which worries me a little 
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe thankyou so much!
yes they don’t even blink an eyelid 
Hi Lisa-I was SO pleased with them!
Hi Zoe-Thankyou!
Hi Lea Ann-Aww you are so sweet! I bet yours would be gorgeous!
Hi di-yes that’s the ideal way isn’t it!
Hi Angela-Aww thankyou darling! You are so sweet
xxx
Hi Sarah-Thanks so much! I love how Daring Bakers pushes me!
Hi Ellie-Thanks so much!
Hi A Girl Called E-Aww thanks! I love a challenge I must admit
I know, for something tha is gone so quickly! 
Hi Alex-Fabulous! Oh no they’re easyish honestly!
But yes do try one!
Hi felicia-Thankyou so much! haha yes I was aiming for something like that!
Hi Betty-Aww shucks thankyou!
haha yes they’re used to my madness 
Hi Angela-Thankyou so much! you are too kind
Hi Tuty-Thankyou so much! yes you can use all sorts of things!
Hi Jeniffer-haha I think they were bewildered a bit
Haha I love it! 
Hi Leisa-Ahh wonderful! Aww you are so sweet!
Oooh that sounds amazing! 
Hi Jacq-Thankyou so much! got to love a finger bun huh!?
Hi Marilyn-Happpy Thanksgiving to you dear Marilyn!Thankyou so much!Oooh that sounds lovely! xxx
Hi YW-My mind is a scary, weird place
Thankyou!
Hi Audax-ybe ours were amazing and as usual your tips really helps us all! Where would us DB be without you?
Hi Trissa-you did a great job too! LOL Clap clap!
Hi BCSWerit-thankyou so much!
Haha yes there’s something for everyone in that stack! 
Hi wic-Thanks very much!
Hi peasepudding-Thankyou so much!
Hi sheba-Aww thanks!
Hi Sophie-Hehe thankyou so much!
Thankyou so much for my award, I’m SO touched! 
Hi sonia-Thanks so much!
haha she sounds like she definitely knows what to do! Ahh interesting about the bamboo! I hope you do too! 
Hi Matilda-I’m sure many would be outraged at the idea of the black olive cannoli
Sounds like a dream I can definitely understand! 
Hi MandyM-thanks, you are too kind!
Hi Blond Duck-They’re so yummy and they’re deep fried so they’re Texan kind of! hehe thankyou so much!
Haha I will take you up on that offer!
Hi Lauren-Thankyou so much!
Hi Erica-Aww shucks thankyou!
Hi Angela-Haha I so did!
thankyou so much! That means a lot coming from the Italian Queen!
Hi grace-Aww thanks, you are so sweet!
Hi Anula-Thankyou very much!
Hi sara-Thanks so much!
Hi Barbara-Thankyou! Yes I love reading what everyone else does!
Hi syrupandhoney-Thankyou so much!
Hi erin-thanks very much!
Hi Julia-Thanks so much! I know how good are finger buns? I had no idea where to buy them from!
Hi pontch-Thankyou!
Hi Faith-Thanks so much!
Hi Y-Yes they’re so used to them methinks!
Hi Matilda-ahh cool good to know!
Thankyou!
Hi Lisa-Thanks so much for the amazing challenge! I can now say that I’ve made and loved cannoli myself
Aww you are always so sweet Lisa! 
Hi pierre-Thankyou so much!
Hi art and lemons-Thankyou! Yes do try and make them, they’re really good!
Hi Avanika-Thankyou! It’s so easy so yes please feel free to make some!
Hi Julie-Thanks so much!
And hehe yes they’re used to weirdness 
I know the whole point of daring Bakers is to do something daring! I agree! 
Hi Marcellina-Thankyou! You are so sweet!
Yes I know what it’s like!
Hi Shirley-Thanks so much!
Hi Aparna-I think you’re right!
Hi anna-what a shame, I was looking forward to seeing your creation!
Hi Catalina-Thankyou so much!
So SO very very pretty. the pistacios the pink the chocolate perfect combinations! brilliant but most importantly so pretty as well!
An awesome job on your cannoli!
Natalie @ Gluten a Go Go
Hi Zurin-Thankyou so much! I tried to make it as pretty as possible
Hi Natalie-Thankyou so much!
Love it! actually had canoli for the first time at THe Rocks markets in Sydney last Friday. And Im totaly in love with in now. Great post, thanks
Hi Beau-How fantastic! So glad that you enjoyed it
What can I say?
Your cannoli looks amazing!
What a beautiful result-
Your photographs are always a pleasure to watch
And I love the different variations you’ve made with the filling, It sound superb!
Wtg!
Inbal
(also a DB)
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