Cannoli Cheesecake

Cannoli are Italian pastries consisting of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta--a staple of Sicilian cuisine. This is a cheesecake inspired by the flavors of a traditional cannoli. Serve with a big glass of cold milk! This would last several days, covered, in the refrigerator.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 55 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 576 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• cooking spray
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• ½ cup salted butter, melted
• 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups mascarpone cheese
• ¼ cup miniature chocolate chips
• 2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup cold heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease paper and sides of the pan with cooking spray.

Step 3

Stir graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon together in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour graham cracker crumb mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly into the bottom and sides to create a crust.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted and firm, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and set aside to cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes. Wrap the outsides of the pan tightly with aluminum foil; set aside.

Step 5

Beat ricotta, mascarpone, 1 cup sugar, and flour together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on low speed until smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula as needed. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, lemon zest, and remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon and continue beating on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed until well combined.

Step 6

Pour batter into the prepared crust. Place the springform pan in a large baking dish and carefully fill baking dish halfway with water.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until edges are set and center jiggles slightly, 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Turn the oven off and crack the oven door open slightly to allow cheesecake to cool slowly, about 1 hour. Remove the baking pan from the oven and remove the springform pan from the baking pan; remove aluminum foil.

Step 8

Transfer cheesecake to a refrigerator and chill, uncovered, until completely firm, at least 4 hours, or up to 8 hours. When cheesecake is completely chilled, remove from the refrigerator and carefully remove springform pan.

Step 9

Beat cream, powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract together in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium-low speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and continue beating until stiff peaks develop, about 1 minute.

Step 10

Spread whipped cream mixture on top of cheesecake using a spatula; sprinkle chocolate chips evenly on top of whipped cream. Slice cheesecake into 12 slices; serve immediately.