Cannoli filling is an Italian dessert cream traditionally made with ricotta cheese, heavy cream and sugar. It should be stiff enough to be piped or spooned into cannoli shells. If it is too runny, there are different ways of thickening it depending on how soon it is required.
How to Thicken Cannoli Filling with Ricotta Cheese
Place the ricotta cheese in a cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
Add the squeezed ricotta cheese to the runny cannoli filling.
Add some superfine sugar to taste. The cannoli filling should now be less runny and easier to spoon into the cannoli shells.
How to Thicken Cannoli Filling with Powdered Almonds
Blend a small amount of finely powdered almonds into the runny cannoli filling.
Add more powdered almonds until the filling is of the consistency required.
Add superfine sugar to taste. The filling will now be stiffer and can be used immediately.
How to Thicken Cannoli Filling with Dessicated Coconut
Add a small amount of dessicated coconut to the cannoli mixture.
Add more dessicated coconut until the filling is stiff enough to be spooned into the cannoli shells.
Check to see if filling is sweet enough for your taste. If the dessicated coconut is already sweet, you may not require to add any more sugar.
How to Thicken Cannoli Filling with Gelatin
Prepare the gelatin as directed by the instructions on its package.
Blend the liquid gelatin into the cannoli filling.
Place the cannoli filling in the refrigerator to set. When it is ready, spoon the filling into the cannoli shells and serve immediately.