Hello! Have you ever tried bread cannoli? They are a super quick and fun snack to prepare, perfect for any time of the day!
Below, I will show you how to make delicious bread cannoli with a creamy filling that both kids and adults will love.
They are so easy that even the youngest children will have a great time preparing (and eating!) them with you.
The filling I chose for this recipe is based on ham and stracchino, a timeless classic, but you can really let your imagination run wild and create endless variations, both sweet and savory! Imagine how fun it will be to invent new flavors with your children: hazelnut cream and bananas, ricotta and chocolate chips, or tuna and mayonnaise… the possibilities are endless!
Keep reading and discover how to prepare these delicious bread cannoli in a few simple steps.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economic
- Rest time: 5 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven, Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons, Spring, Summer and Fall
- Energy 145.37 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 12.76 (g) of which sugars 1.45 (g)
- Proteins 8.73 (g)
- Fat 6.59 (g) of which saturated 0.74 (g)of which unsaturated 1.26 (g)
- Fibers 1.51 (g)
- Sodium 232.40 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 80 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 6 slices bread (Crustless)
- 3.5 oz stracchino
- 3.5 oz cooked ham
- 1 egg
Tools
- 1 Baking Tray Lagostina
Steps
Prepare the bread: for this recipe, I used slices of sandwich bread, but you can also use slices of bread, removing the outer crust.
Cut each slice into a square, approximately 4 to 5 inches per side, and, with the help of a rolling pin, flatten it evenly so that it is more flexible and easy to roll.
If necessary, you can lightly dust the rolling pin with some flour to prevent the bread from sticking.
Stuff the slices: After preparing each slice of bread, spread a thin and even layer of stracchino on each with a knife and then lay one or two slices of cooked ham on top, making sure they cover the surface of the bread well.
Prepare them all this way, so you’ll have them ready for the next step.
Form the cannoli: gently roll each stuffed slice of bread onto itself, forming cannoli. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between them.
Brush each cannoli with beaten egg: during baking, a golden and crispy surface will form. If you want an even more intense taste and a thicker crust, you can directly dip each cannoli in the beaten egg to cover it completely.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cannoli are golden and crispy.
And voilà! Your bread cannoli with creamy filling are ready! 😋
Let them cool slightly before serving, so that the filling thickens a bit.
They are perfect for a fancy aperitif, a buffet, a birthday party, or simply a delicious snack with friends.
Kids will love them, and why not, you might even have fun preparing them together!
How to best store and enjoy bread cannoli:
Storage:
Bread cannoli are best consumed when freshly made, hot and crispy. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a maximum of one day.
Tips:
For an even more delicious result, you can add a pinch of salt and pepper to the filling, or spices to taste.
If you want to make the cannoli crispier, you can brush them with a bit of olive oil before filling them. * For a more elegant presentation, you can garnish the cannoli with chopped chives or other aromatic herbs to taste.
You can also experiment with different shapes: instead of rolling the bread slices, you can cut them into triangles and fill them like small sandwiches.
Variants:
Vegetarian:
Replace the cooked ham with grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed zucchini.
Delicious:
Fill the cannoli with hazelnut cream, jam, fresh fruit pieces, or custard.
Savory:
Try other cheeses, like ricotta, robiola, gorgonzola, or mozzarella, and add ingredients like olives, capers, or diced speck.
Spicy:
Add a pinch of chili pepper to the filling or sprinkle the cannoli with sweet or spicy paprika.
With a bit of imagination, you can create endless variations of this recipe and satisfy all tastes! 😊
Wine and drinks to pair with bread cannoli with creamy filling:
Here are 5 wines that pair well with bread cannoli with creamy ham and stracchino filling:
Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG:
A well-structured Prosecco, with a fine and persistent bubble, pairs well with the creaminess of the stracchino and the saltiness of the ham. The fruity and floral notes of Prosecco balance the delicate flavor of the dish.
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC: A fresh and savory white, with notes of white flowers and yellow-fleshed fruit. Its minerality and acidity cleanse the palate from the creaminess of the filling, creating a pleasant contrast.
Pinot Grigio del Trentino DOC: A versatile wine, with notes of pear, green apple, and citrus. Its freshness and light body pair well with the simplicity of the bread cannoli.
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC: A light and lively sparkling red, with hints of red fruits and a slight bitter note. Its effervescence and acidity cleanse the palate and contrast the richness of the filling.
Rosato del Salento IGT: A fresh and fruity rosé, with notes of cherry, strawberry, and pink grapefruit. Its drinkability and versatility make it a great pairing for this simple and tasty dish.
Healthy drinks for children:
Fresh fruit juice: freshly squeezed or without added sugars.
Fruit and vegetable smoothie: a fun way to get kids to eat vegetables too.
Flavored water: by adding fresh fruit, vegetables (like cucumbers or mint), or spices (like ginger or cinnamon) to natural water.
Homemade iced tea: made with green or black tea and sweetened with a little honey or cane sugar.
A tip: if the cannoli are served as a snack for children, you can also accompany them with a cup of fresh milk or a fruit yogurt.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Here are some frequently asked questions about bread cannoli:
Can I use a different type of bread?
Of course! You can use any type of sandwich bread, as long as it’s soft and crustless. Sandwich bread is ideal because it’s already crustless and rolls easily.
How can I prevent the cannoli from opening during baking?
To prevent the cannoli from opening, make sure to roll them tightly and seal the final end well, possibly brushing it with a bit of beaten egg. You can also use a toothpick to secure the cannoli, but remember to remove it before serving.
Can I prepare the cannoli in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the cannoli in advance and store them in the fridge for a few hours, covered with plastic wrap. Before baking them, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Can I freeze bread cannoli?
Yes, you can freeze the cannoli both before and after baking. If freezing them raw, thaw them in the refrigerator before baking. If freezing them cooked, let them thaw at room temperature or reheat them in the oven for a few minutes.
What other fillings can I use?
The possibilities are endless! You can use any type of creamy cheese, like ricotta, robiola, or philadelphia. You can add grilled vegetables, cold cuts, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, or opt for sweet fillings like hazelnut cream, jam, or fresh fruit.
How can I make the cannoli crispier?
To make them crispier, you can brush them with a bit of olive oil before baking. You can also coat them in breadcrumbs after brushing with egg.
Can I cook the cannoli in an air fryer?
Sure! Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook the cannoli for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Are bread cannoli suitable for children?
Absolutely yes! They are an easy-to-eat snack, fun to prepare, and can be customized with the children’s favorite fillings.
Can I serve bread cannoli as an appetizer?
Sure! They are a fun and original idea for an aperitif or buffet. You can serve them hot or cold, accompanied by sauces of your choice.
