Cherry Cannoli Cups Recipes

Steps:

• Spread 3 ounces melted chocolate in a 9-inch graham cracker crust; chill until set. Cook 12 ounces pitted cherries with 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a skillet over medium heat until tender, 5 minutes. Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water; stir into the cherries and cook until thickened, 3 minutes. Let cool, then pour into the crust. Puree 1 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup each pistachios, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; spread over the cherries. Top with chopped pistachios and candied orange peel. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Steps:

• Drain cherries, reserving liquid in a 1-cup measuring cup. Add enough water to measure 1/3 cup; set aside., In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in reserved cherry juice mixture until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cherries and lemon juice. Cool., Place the ricotta, cream cheese and sugar in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Add the syrup, lemon juice and vanilla; process until combined. Gently fold in whipped topping and chocolate chips., Place 1 tablespoon crushed wafers in each of eight parfait glasses. Top with 1/3 cup cheese mixture and a heaping tablespoonful of cherry sauce. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.,

Steps:

• Working in 2 batches, blend first 5 ingredients in processor until smooth; add ginger and cherries and process until finely chopped and well incorporated. Using on/off turns, mix in chocolate just until blended (do not puree). Transfer filling to large bowl. (Filling can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Working in batches, transfer filling to pastry bag without tip. Pipe into shells. Sprinkle ends with pistachios. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours. Sift powdered sugar over cannoli and serve.

Steps:

• To make shells, mix flour, sugar and salt in a bowl.
• Cut in butter.
• Add egg yolks; stir with a fork.
• Stir in wine, 1 tablespooon at a time, with a fork until dough clings together.
• Form a ball with the dough and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Roll dough almost paper thin, on a well-floured surface.
• Using the rim of a margarita glass (about 3-4 inches across), make circle imprints into rolled dough.
• Using a paring knife, make sure circles are cut all the way through.
• Roll each circle of dough around a metal cannoli tube, overlaping the ends and press to seal, flaring out the edges slightly.
• Fry one or two at a time in hot melted shortening (about 360°F) for approximately 1 minute, turning to brown all sides.
• Remove from hot grease and drain on paper towels, seam side down.
• Let cool a minute or two before trying to remove metal tube.
• To remove the tube hold cannoli shell down on the paper towel and carefully slide the tube out one end.
• Leave cannoil shells on paper towel, seam side down to cool completely.
• ~NOTE~Shells can be stored in airtight containers and made several days prior to filling.
• For filling, drain ricotta cheese over cheesecloth if ricotta is watery.
• Combine ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.
• Squeeze Maraschino cherries with paper towels to remove all liquid.
• (If you don't squeeze them good, you will have a pink water filling!).
• Stir in cherries and chocolate chips into the ricotta mixture, being careful not to over mix.
• For a lighter filling, you may whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to form stiff peaks, and fold into filling mixture at this step.
• Chill filling for about 30 minutes before piping into cooled cannoli shells.
• You may garnish the cannoli by sprinkling powdered sugar on top.
• Whipped cream, a cherry, and shaved chocolate can also be used to garnish the top.
• Keep refrigerated until time of serving.

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt semisweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon shortening; stir until smooth. Brush evenly on the inside of 12 paper or foil miniature muffin cup liners. Repeat with white baking chocolate and remaining shortening. Chill until firm, about 25 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cherries, water and extract; let stand for 5 minutes. Drain, reserving liquid., In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, food coloring, lemon zest and 2 tablespoons reserved cherry liquid; beat on medium-low speed for 2 minutes or until smooth. Fold in cherries., Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a tip. Fill with cherry mixture. Pipe into chocolate cups. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Carefully remove from liners.