Cannoli Sheet Cake with Whipped Ricotta Icing

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Cannoli Sheet Cake is light, moist, and simple to make with pantry staples. It has a soft texture and a mild flavor that works well with different toppings or frostings. This is a great option for anyone who wants a no-fuss dessert that still tastes homemade.

A slice of yellow cannoli sheet cake topped with whipped ricotta icing and chocolate chips, with text describing the cake as no-fuss, light, simple, make ahead, and a crowd favorite.

Cannoli Sheet Cake

Cannoli cake tastes like a combination of classic cannoli and butter cake. And, it’s so much easier to make than traditional cannoli. I made it with soft and buttery vanilla cake. You could also add chocolate chips to the batter.

The frosting is a smooth blend of ricotta and cream cheese (you can sub mascarpone), giving it a creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy taste like classic cannoli filling. I decorated my cake simply with mini chocolate chips.

A rectangular pan of whipped cream dessert topped with chocolate chips and garnished with a sprig of mint.

Why you’ll โค๏ธ this recipe.

๐Ÿ’ฏCrowd-pleaser

๐ŸŽปClassic flavors

๐Ÿ˜ŠEasy

๐ŸฐButtery, tender cake with creamy, sweet frosting

Ingredients

The full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions is at the bottom of this post. You can save a tree and the recipe to your personal and private recipe box here on Call Me PMc. This way, youโ€™ll never misplace it.

You can make a basic yellow or white cake or use a box mix. As well, you can make this into a layer cake.

Cake soak

Cake soak is optional, but good if your cake is overcooked and dry. More details below.

Whipped Ricotta Icing

A fork is inserted into a slice of cannoli sheet cake topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips, served on a white plate.

How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream

  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 2ย Tablespoonsย confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • In a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form.
  • Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Stop. Do not over-beat, cream will become lumpy and butter-like.
  • It’s ready to use however you wish.
Egg size chart displaying visual egg size differences and a conversion table for substituting various egg sizes in recipes, from peewee to jumboโ€”perfect for baking everything from cookies to a cannoli sheet cake.

What is cake soak?

Cake soak is a simple syrup, usually flavored, that is brushed on a cake to add flavor and moisture. It’s a good method for dry, overbaked cakes to bring them back to life. But, it’s not reserved exclusively to overbaked cakes. They can be added to any cake to add flavor and moisture.

Cannoli Sheet Cake FAQ

How do I store cannoli cake?

Store Cannoli cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze Cannoli cake?

Yes, you can. Freeze it whole or sliced into individual portions. Be sure to wrap it airtightly then place it in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and drying out.

A slice of cannoli sheet cake topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips on a white plate.

Cannoli Sheet Cake Conclusion

Soft and simple Cannoli Sheet Cake pairs perfectly with this whipped ricotta frosting. It’s a tasty twist on a classic dessert and easy to make with pantry staples. In short, Cannoli cake is a solid go-to when you want something homemade without much fuss.

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A slice of cannoli sheet cake topped with white frosting and chocolate chips, garnished with a mint leaf, is served on a plate.
A slice of yellow cake topped with white frosting and chocolate chips, garnished with a mint leaf, is served on a plate.

Cannoli Sheet Cake

A simple butter cake pairs perfectly with a rich and creamy whipped ricotta frosting. It's a tasty version of a classic dessert and easy to make with pantry ingredients.
Author: Paula
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 16 servings

Items in blue & underlined below can be clicked for more detail or to purchase.

Ingredients

Cake soak

Whipped Ricotta Icing Makes about 6 cups

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC). Spray a 13×9-inch cake pan with cake release or if you're taking the cake out of the pan line it with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan.
  • In a large bowl, mix brown sugar and melted butter until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, stirring just until combined after each addition. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top.
  • Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Cake Soak

  • The cake soak is optional, but it adds to the moisture and flavor of the cake.
  • Combine the butter, buttermilk, and sugarย in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.ย Remove from heat and let come to room temperature.ย 
  • With a long skewer or toothpick, poke holes in the cake. OR, you can turn the cake layer upside down. Using a pastry brush, brush the cake soak with the soaking liquid.

Frosting

  • In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the ricotta, cream cheese, orange juice, vanilla, and salt until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Slowly add the confectionersโ€™ sugar.
  • Fold in the Cool Whip. Using an offset spatula, spread evenly over your cake. Garnish with mini chocolate chips, pistachios and/or broken waffle cones.
  • You'll need to store this cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It'll stay fresh for about 5 days.

Notes

Makes 1 (13ร—9-inch) cake

Nutrition

Calories: 571kcal | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.

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Paula Jones is the founder, creator, and cook at CallMePMc.com, where she provides simple recipes & time-saving strategies for nutritious & delicious meals for your family. Born and raised in the South, Paula, or PMc as her friends call her, understands that many life events happen around the dinner table, & she wants you to enjoy that time in the kitchen & around the table stress-free with your family and friends. You’ll enjoy a variety of recipes at CallMePMc.com, from updated Southern classics, to practical, healthy, and indulgent. Learn more about Paula. Shop Paula’s favorites link on her Amazon storefront.

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