No-Bake Cannoli Pie Recipe

Quick & Dreamy No-Bake Cannoli Pie Recipe for Sweet Success

Sweet cannoli pie captures the essence of traditional Italian desserts without any baking required.

This delightful treat crafts beloved pastry flavors into a luscious, creamy masterpiece that melts in your mouth.

Smooth ricotta and mascarpone blend together, creating a luxurious filling that whispers of authentic culinary traditions.

Delicate hints of vanilla and bright citrus zest dance through each silky bite, elevating the entire dessert experience.

Crisp graham cracker or cookie crusts provide a perfect textural contrast to the velvety interior.

Chocolate chips or crushed nuts add playful crunch and visual appeal to this irresistible confection.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this crowd-pleasing dessert.

Why You’ll Love No-Bake Cannoli Pie

  • Craft Effortless Dessert: Skip the traditional baking process with this no-bake cannoli pie that delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Texture Explosion: Enjoy a creamy, silky filling balanced by a crunchy pistachio-wafer crust that provides delightful contrast in every single bite.
  • Italian-Inspired Indulgence: Capture authentic cannoli essence with mascarpone, ricotta, and orange zest that transport your taste buds straight to Sicily without complex preparation techniques.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this elegant dessert in advance, chill for hours, and serve a perfectly chilled pie that's ideal for dinner parties, family gatherings, or spontaneous sweet cravings.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers of No-Bake Cannoli Pie

  • Refrigerate: Store the cannoli pie in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect it from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Freezing: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain the pie's creamy texture and delicate structure.
  • Reheating: This no-bake pie is best enjoyed cold directly from the refrigerator. Avoid microwaving, as the delicate cream mixture can separate or become watery. Let the pie sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance the flavors.

No-Bake Cannoli Pie Pairing Suggestions

  • Sip Sweet Marsala Wine: Complement the rich, creamy cannoli pie with a glass of traditional Marsala, its caramel and nutty notes perfectly balancing the dessert's sweet and tangy flavors.
  • Pair with Pistachio Biscotti: Serve crisp pistachio biscotti alongside the pie, enhancing the nutty crust and providing a delightful textural contrast to the smooth, creamy filling.
  • Enjoy Espresso Contrast: Cut through the pie's sweetness with a bold, robust espresso, creating a classic Italian dessert experience that awakens your taste buds and cleanses the palate.
  • Sprinkle Chocolate Shavings: Top the pie with dark chocolate shavings to add depth and richness, complementing the orange zest and creating a luxurious flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert.

No-Bake Cannoli Pie: Fun Variations

  • Chocolate Lovers' Cannoli: Replace wafers with chocolate cookie crumbs and mix in cocoa powder. Sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on top for an intense chocolate experience.
  • Tropical Fruit Fusion: Add diced mango and passion fruit to the filling. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and a drizzle of passion fruit coulis for a vibrant, exotic touch.
  • Nutty Sicilian Style: Increase pistachio quantity in the crust and fold chopped pistachios into the filling. Finish with a light dusting of crushed pistachios and a hint of almond extract for an authentic Mediterranean flavor.
  • Seasonal Berry Burst: Mix in fresh raspberries or strawberries into the filling. Top with a quick berry compote and fresh mint leaves for a bright, summery version of the classic dessert.

No-Bake Cannoli Pie: Must-Have Ingredients

Crust Ingredients:
  • Vanilla Wafers: Classic cookies that form the base of the pie crust with a sweet, light flavor.
  • Pistachios: Nutty and rich green nuts that add texture and depth to the crust.
  • Granulated Sugar: Helps bind the crust and provides subtle sweetness.
  • Unsalted Butter: Melts to create a cohesive and crisp crust that holds together well.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Smooth, rich Italian cream cheese that creates a luxurious texture.
  • Ricotta Cheese: Traditional Italian cheese that adds creamy consistency to the filling.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and balances the cheese flavors.
  • Heavy Cream: Whipped to create lightness and volume in the pie filling.
  • Orange Zest: Bright citrus notes that enhance the overall flavor profile.
Garnish Ingredients:
  • Whipped Cream: Optional topping for extra indulgence and visual appeal.
  • Chopped Pistachios: Decorative and crunchy topping that adds texture and nuttiness.

No-Bake Cannoli Pie: Simple Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Grab your food processor and toss in graham crackers or wafers, pistachios, and sugar. Pulse until crumbly. Drizzle melted butter into the mixture and blend until it sticks together. Press the crumb mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie dish. You can either:
  • Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes
  • Chill in the freezer for a no-bake option

Step 2: Whip the Cream

Using a chilled mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff, fluffy peaks form. Set aside in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Create the Filling

In a separate large bowl, blend together:
  • Mascarpone cheese
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Fresh orange zest

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine and Chill

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture. Pour the filling into the prepared crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Before serving, sprinkle with extra chopped pistachios or dust with powdered sugar. Slice and enjoy your creamy, no-bake cannoli pie!

No-Bake Cannoli Pie Tips for the Best Flavor

  • Crush Wisely: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create fine, even crumbs for a uniform crust that holds together perfectly.
  • Zest with Care: Grate only the orange's outer colored layer to avoid bitter white pith, maximizing fresh citrus flavor.
  • Whip Strategically: Ensure cream is cold and use a chilled bowl to achieve stiff, stable peaks that won't deflate when folded.
  • Chill Completely: Allow pie to set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, giving flavors time to meld and texture to firm up.
  • Garnish Creatively: Sprinkle chopped pistachios, chocolate chips, or dust with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant touch.
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No-Bake Cannoli Pie Recipe

No-Bake Cannoli Pie Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sicilian cannoli magic comes alive in this luscious no-bake pie. Creamy ricotta, chocolate chips, and crisp cannoli shell fragments create a dreamy dessert that whisks you straight to Italian pastry paradise.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces mascarpone or cream cheese
  • 1 cup (5 ½ cups or 170 grams) vanilla wafer cookies
  • ½ cup (50 grams) shelled and unsalted pistachios

Dairy and Cream Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup (170 grams) heavy cream, cold
  • ½ cup (100 grams) powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (90 grams) unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar

Flavoring Ingredient:

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

Instructions

  1. Crush graham crackers and pistachios into fine crumbs using a food processor, ensuring a uniform texture. Mix with granulated sugar and melted unsalted butter (113 grams) until the mixture resembles wet sand.
  2. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into a 9-inch (23-centimeter) pie dish, creating a compact and level crust. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the base.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese (/226 grams), whole milk ricotta cheese (/226 grams), powdered sugar, and fresh orange zest. Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and completely integrated.
  4. In a separate chilled bowl, whip heavy cream (/240 milliliters) until stiff, glossy peaks form using an electric mixer on medium-high speed.
  5. Gently fold the whipped cream into the ricotta mixture using a spatula, maintaining the airy texture and incorporating without deflating the cream.
  6. Pour the creamy filling into the chilled crust, smoothing the top with an offset spatula to create an even surface.
  7. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld.
  8. Before serving, garnish with additional chopped pistachios and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, preserving the creamy texture and delicate flavor.
  • Sprinkle additional chopped pistachios or mini chocolate chips on top for extra crunch and visual appeal before serving.
  • Freezing the pie for 30 minutes before slicing ensures clean, precise cuts and helps maintain its shape.
  • Let the pie sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance the creamy consistency.
  • Substitute mascarpone with cream cheese if unavailable, maintaining the rich and smooth filling texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 370 kcal
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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