Decadent Chocolate Cannoli Cake: Your Ultimate Guide to a Sweet Masterpiece

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey with this truly exceptional Chocolate Cannoli Cake. This dessert isn’t just a cake; it’s a celebration of rich flavors and delightful textures, blending the beloved Italian cannoli with a classic chocolate layer cake. Every bite offers a symphony of moist, dark chocolate cake, sumptuously creamy ricotta and mascarpone filling, a thick layer of fudgy chocolate ganache, and the satisfying crunch of mini cannoli shells. It’s a showstopper, both in appearance and taste, making it the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion or simply a luxurious treat.

This cake is an absolute marvel of indulgence! Once assembled, it stands impressively at almost seven inches tall, a true towering delight. It’s loaded with an abundance of deep, dark chocolate flavor, perfectly complemented by the silkiest, creamiest cannoli filling imaginable. The sheer scale and richness of this dessert guarantee an unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough to try a slice.

Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Layers

The foundation of this magnificent creation is a chocolate cake recipe renowned for its incredible moistness and intense cocoa flavor. It’s the same beloved recipe we use for our famous Ding Dong Cake, a testament to its consistent perfection. For this Chocolate Cannoli Cake, we elevate it further by baking it into three distinct layers. This not only creates a more dramatic presentation but, more importantly, allows for even more of that luscious cannoli filling to be nestled between each rich chocolate tier. Each layer contributes to a truly luxurious texture, ensuring the cake remains incredibly moist and tender, providing the ideal canvas for the vibrant flavors of the cannoli filling and ganache.

The Irresistible Cannoli Filling

What truly sets this cake apart is its exquisite cannoli filling. Inspired by the classic Italian pastry, our filling is a creamy, dreamy blend of smooth ricotta cheese and rich mascarpone. This combination creates a filling that is both light and incredibly decadent, with a subtle tang that perfectly balances the sweetness. We whip it to airy perfection and then fold in just the right amount of powdered sugar, a hint of vanilla extract, and plenty of mini chocolate chips for those delightful little bursts of chocolatey goodness. This filling isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a star component, providing an authentic Italian dessert experience within every slice of cake.

Silky Smooth Chocolate Ganache and Crunchy Topping

No decadent chocolate cake would be complete without a lavish topping, and this recipe delivers with a thick, fudgy chocolate ganache. Made from just two ingredients – high-quality chocolate chips and heavy cream – this ganache is incredibly rich, smooth, and utterly delicious. Its luscious texture provides a beautiful contrast to the cake and filling, dripping elegantly down the sides and adding another layer of intense chocolate flavor. And, of course, the cake wouldn’t be truly complete without a generous scattering of crisp, crunchy cannoli pieces on top. These not only add a wonderful textural element but also visually declare the cake’s identity, inviting everyone to dig in.

Given the impressive height and richness of this cake, you’ll find that even small slices are incredibly satisfying. This makes it an ideal dessert for feeding a large crowd, whether for a family gathering, a party with friends, or a holiday feast. Each slice is a generous portion of pure bliss, promising to leave everyone delighted and thoroughly satisfied.

A Perfectly Balanced Sweetness

One of the best qualities of this Chocolate Cannoli Cake is its perfectly balanced sweetness. While undoubtedly decadent and designed to satisfy even the most fervent sweet tooth, it’s crafted to avoid being overly cloying. The deep cocoa notes of the cake, the subtle tang of the ricotta and mascarpone in the filling, and the slight bitterness from the dark chocolate ganache all work in harmony. This thoughtful combination ensures that the cake offers a rich, complex flavor profile that delights the palate without overwhelming it, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of dessert lovers.

Sourcing Cannoli Shells: Homemade vs. Store-Bought

While making cannoli shells from scratch can be a rewarding culinary adventure, it’s perfectly understandable if you’re not in the mood for the extra effort this time around. The beauty of this Chocolate Cannoli Cake recipe is its flexibility. Many local Italian bakeries are happy to sell you their freshly made cannoli shells, often providing a delicious, authentic base. Alternatively, you can easily find cannoli shells available for purchase online, ensuring you have everything you need to assemble this magnificent cake without the added step of frying your own shells. Whichever route you choose, the end result will be spectacular.

A Cake to Share and Savor

This Chocolate Cannoli Cake is truly a crowd-pleaser. My family simply couldn’t wait to dig into this glorious dessert, and the excitement extended to my colleagues, who are eagerly anticipating our return to in-person gatherings so I can once again share my sweet creations with them. It’s the kind of cake that brings people together, sparking joy and conversation with every forkful. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself and your loved ones, this cake promises to be a memorable and cherished part of any dessert spread. Its impressive height, rich flavors, and beautiful presentation make it an ideal choice for birthdays, holidays, or any moment that calls for something truly extraordinary. Get ready to impress and delight with this incredible chocolate cannoli masterpiece!

Chocolate Cannoli Cake Recipe

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

• 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups brewed coffee
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups cocoa
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cannoli Filling

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Chocolate Ganache

• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup of heavy cream

Instructions

1. Chop semi-sweet chocolate finely so no pieces are larger than a chocolate chip. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl or a 2-cup measuring cup and pour hot, freshly brewed coffee over the chocolate. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to soften, then stir thoroughly, ensuring all the chocolate is completely melted and well combined with the coffee. Set this mixture aside to cool down completely.
2. In a separate large bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients for the cake: sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps to remove lumps and aerate the dry ingredients, resulting in a lighter cake texture.
3. In a very large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat the eggs on medium speed until they become light, fluffy, and frothy. This incorporates air, which contributes to the cake’s tender crumb.
4. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the cooled chocolate-coffee mixture to the beaten eggs. Beat well after each addition to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly blended and smooth.
5. Gradually add the sifted sugar/flour/cocoa mixture to the wet ingredients, adding approximately one cup at a time. Mix on low speed just until combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Evenly pour the cake batter into three 9-inch round cake pans. Ensure the pans have been well-greased and their bottoms lined with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of the baked cakes.
7. Bake the cakes in a preheated 325-degree Fahrenheit (160°C) oven for 45-50 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a cake; if it comes out clean, the cakes are ready.
8. Allow the cakes to cool completely in their pans on a wire rack. Once cool, use a plastic knife or an offset spatula to carefully run around the edges of each pan to loosen the cakes before inverting them onto the rack or a plate.
9. For the heavenly cannoli filling, combine the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is completely creamy, smooth, and well-blended. Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the filling.
10. To prepare the luscious chocolate ganache, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave-safe bowl until it is just before a boil (small bubbles will form around the edges). Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until completely smooth and glossy. You can adjust the amount of cream slightly if you prefer a thicker or thinner ganache consistency.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30 slices

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 346Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 253mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 2gSugar: 36gProtein: 5g

Did you make this recipe?

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Explore More Chocolate Cake Delights

If you’re a true chocolate connoisseur, the journey doesn’t end with this spectacular Chocolate Cannoli Cake. We invite you to explore more of our decadent chocolate cake recipes, each offering a unique and irresistible experience. From classic favorites to innovative twists, there’s a chocolate cake for every craving and occasion in our collection. Dive in and discover your next favorite dessert!