Cannolis are a classic Italian dessert that combines creamy, sweet filling and a crunchy outer shell. People often purchase these treats at the bakery without realizing how easy they are to make. Here is a simple recipe for both the shells and the filling that will make you a hit at the next dinner party.

You will need:

For the shells-

• 1 ¾ cup flour
• ¼ cup dry sauterne (this is a type of wine)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, firm and cut into pieces
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 1 slightly beaten egg white
• Shortening to use for frying
• Flour sifter
• Bowl
• Fork
• Measuring spoons
• Plastic wrap
• Rolling pin
• 3 ½-inch circular cookie cutter
• Cannoli form
• Frying pan

For the filling-

• 2 pounds ricotta cheese
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 12 ounce bag of chocolate morsels
• 4 teaspoons vanilla
• Bowl
• Pastry bag or plastic bag with end cut off

Step 1: In the bowl, sift the flour, salt, and sugar. Create a well in the center and put the butter and egg into it. Stir these with a fork, working your way from the center to the outer edges, moistening the flour mixture.

Step 2: Add one tablespoon of the wine at a time, until the dough starts to cling together.

Step 3: Using the hands, create a ball from the dough. Cover this with plastic wrap and allow it to stand for 15 minutes. Roll the dough out with the rolling pin until it is 1/16-inch thick. Cut it using the cookie cutter.

Step 4: Roll each circle to form an oval. Wrap the dough around a cannoli form. Seal the edge by brushing on the egg white.

Step 5: Fry the dough on the cannoli form in a frying pan containing very hot shortening for approximately 1 minute or until golden. Cool it for 5 seconds and remove the cannoli form. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for all circles.

Step 6: Combine the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and chocolate morsels in the bowl, stirring until well blended. Use a pastry bag or a sealed plastic bag with the end cut off to fill the cannolis. If desired, sprinkle extra powdered sugar on the prepared cannolis.

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