I am going to have three variations of basically the same recipe. Two are called a cannoli dip and the third, chocolate chip cheese ball. It is totally up to you if want to use low or no fat cream cheese or ricotta. I cannot tell a difference. I do however like mine a little less sweet. You can always add more sugar but not take it away, so start slowly.
The last might be my favorite, it is made with heavy cream not cream cheese. Again you control how sweet you want it while whipping. If you have never whipped cream it is worth the little bit of effort it takes. The flavor is so much better.
Vanilla. I have started making my own vanilla. The hardest part is getting vanilla beans. When Bountiful Baskets is going sometimes we get them in our baskets. I have to admit though; Amazon Prime is my best friend. I love to shop local when I can. Our choices are limited so when I can’t find something thank you Amazon for making it available.
Homemade vanilla makes a fantastic gift at Christmas. This is the perfect time to make it. I use CHEAP vodka; you may also use rum. Depending on the size bottle you use I made 8 & 16 oz. On the 8oz I places three scored vanilla beans, 16oz six beans. It’s quite easy lie the bean flat on a cutting board and score it in the middle from the curl to the end of the bean, try not to cut through it. Be sure and scrape that caviar off of your knife and place in the bottle as well. After the beans and any caviar is in the bottle, fill to the top with the liquor of your choice. Put the bottles up and let them sit for at least 8 weeks. You can make decorative tags to put on them and give as gifts. I have also gotten toward the end of one still had a lot of vanilla caviar in it and just added more vodka, just let it sit a bit before using.
The last might be my favorite, it is made with heavy cream not cream cheese. Again you control how sweet you want it while whipping. If you have never whipped cream it is worth the little bit of effort it takes. The flavor is so much better.
Vanilla. I have started making my own vanilla. The hardest part is getting vanilla beans. When Bountiful Baskets is going sometimes we get them in our baskets. I have to admit though; Amazon Prime is my best friend. I love to shop local when I can. Our choices are limited so when I can’t find something thank you Amazon for making it available.
Homemade vanilla makes a fantastic gift at Christmas. This is the perfect time to make it. I use CHEAP vodka; you may also use rum. Depending on the size bottle you use I made 8 & 16 oz. On the 8oz I places three scored vanilla beans, 16oz six beans. It’s quite easy lie the bean flat on a cutting board and score it in the middle from the curl to the end of the bean, try not to cut through it. Be sure and scrape that caviar off of your knife and place in the bottle as well. After the beans and any caviar is in the bottle, fill to the top with the liquor of your choice. Put the bottles up and let them sit for at least 8 weeks. You can make decorative tags to put on them and give as gifts. I have also gotten toward the end of one still had a lot of vanilla caviar in it and just added more vodka, just let it sit a bit before using.
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
1-8oz pkg of softened cream cheese
½ C butter
¾ C confectioners’ sugar
2 TBL brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla
½- ¾ C mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
¾ C chopped pecans
1-8oz pkg of softened cream cheese
½ C butter
¾ C confectioners’ sugar
2 TBL brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla
½- ¾ C mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
¾ C chopped pecans
In a medium bowl beat together softened cream cheese & butter, add sugars & vanilla. Start on low speed building to medium till all ingredients are incorporated. I like to use my stand mixer. Add the chips last and stir in by hand. Cover & chill for about 2 hours.
Remove & shape into a ball, place in saran wrap, chill again for 1 hour.
Remove and roll in finely chopped pecans.
Serve with, graham crackers, my favorite is the chocolate Teddy Grahams if you can find them.
Remove & shape into a ball, place in saran wrap, chill again for 1 hour.
Remove and roll in finely chopped pecans.
Serve with, graham crackers, my favorite is the chocolate Teddy Grahams if you can find them.
Cannoli Dip
1-8oz pkg of softened cream cheese
1 C ricotta
1 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 C mini chocolate chips
Waffle cones broken up (take out that aggression)
1-8oz pkg of softened cream cheese
1 C ricotta
1 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 C mini chocolate chips
Waffle cones broken up (take out that aggression)
Again with a mixer starting on low building to medium mix all ingredients except the chips and cones. When all incorporated add chips, by hand. Place in a bowl and serve with broken waffle cones and or fruit.
Cannoli dip
2 C heavy cream (whipping cream)
1/3 C powdered sugar
1 ½ C ricotta
1 C mini chocolate chips
¾-1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Waffle cones or cannoli shells
Beat cream and sugar together You will want to start on low when whipping cream or you’ll end up wearing this. (if you have ever whipped cream you definitely want to use a mixer)
Fold in other ingredients and serve with waffle cone, pizzelles or cannoli shells. Any berry tastes great with this dip.
2 C heavy cream (whipping cream)
1/3 C powdered sugar
1 ½ C ricotta
1 C mini chocolate chips
¾-1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Waffle cones or cannoli shells
Beat cream and sugar together You will want to start on low when whipping cream or you’ll end up wearing this. (if you have ever whipped cream you definitely want to use a mixer)
Fold in other ingredients and serve with waffle cone, pizzelles or cannoli shells. Any berry tastes great with this dip.
Enjoy any or all of these. Let me know your favorite.
Voila’
