Love cannoli? Then you will fall in love with this Keto Cannoli Tart. It has a tender almond flour crust, a rich ricotta cream filling, and sugar free chocolate chips. A truly special keto dessert.
Once upon a time, about 4 years ago, I published my first keto cookbook, The Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen.
And this beautiful creamy Keto Cannoli Tart was the first sneak peek recipe I shared from it. I was, and still am, so proud of this recipe. It’s the ideal low carb treat for cannoli lovers.
I mean, who doesn’t love a good cannoli? Crisp, sweet shells with a rich cream filling that oozes everywhere as you take a bite! And I always loved the ones that had mini chocolate chips on the ends. I remember with great fondness the cannoli we used to get in the North End in Boston.
Let me tell you that this keto tart recipe is a great stand in! It doesn’t have the same crisp shell but the flavors and the creamy filling really hit the spot.
Keto Cookbooks Galore!
It’s astonishing to think that in those four intervening years I have published a total of 6 keto cookbooks. SIX COOKBOOKS!
If you have any notion of the work involved in writing cookbooks, then you may well think I had lost my mind. I rather think I did too. I would test out 2 or 3 new recipes per day, type up the notes, send them to my recipe testers, and then try them out again myself.
All while keeping this blog chugging along too. I daresay I worked on at least 10 recipes a week.
Truly, I am exhausted just thinking about it now. But I am so proud of the body work I have created for the keto world
How to make Keto Cannoli Tart
This cannoli tart recipe is not difficult, but it does take some time and patience. Here are my best tips for getting it right:
The crust
This is my standard keto pie crust that I use in a great many of my recipes. It’s easy and there’s no rolling required. You simply press it into the pan and away you go.
I do recommend par-baking it first. Par-baking simply means pre-baking (or partially baking) it to firm it up, so that the filling doesn’t make it soggy.
Use a food processor
You want a truly smooth filling so I recommend using a food processor or a good high powdered blender. Ricotta tends to be pretty grainy right out of the container and this will smooth it out nicely.
Use properly softened ingredients
As with all baking, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredient temperatures. Your filling won’t mix nicely if the ricotta and cream cheese aren’t room temperature. And adding cold eggs may cause the filling to clump up.
Use a water bath
The filling needs to cook gently so that it sets properly and stays super creamy. So don’t skip the water bath method. This is also known as a “bain marie”, and it’s a great way to cook custards and creamy fillings.
Be sure not to let ANY water come up over the edge of the tart pan. You may even want to set the roasting pan in your oven before you fill it with hot water, so that water doesn’t slosh in as you move it around.
Cool and chill properly
As tempting as it may be to dig in right away, be sure to let the tart cool properly. It also needs to be refrigerated for at least 1 hour. Trust me, a little patience results in a much better tart consistency!
Can you make Keto Cannoli Tart in advance?
This delicious keto dessert can be made a day or so in advance. I wouldn’t recommend much longer as the crust will soften the longer it sits.
I have not tried freezing this one but I imagine it would fare well enough. Again the crust will be somewhat softer after thawing. Let it cool completely before wrapping it up tightly to freeze.
Ready to enjoy the delicious flavors of cannoli in a keto friendly package?
More delicious keto tart recipes
- Keto Butter Tarts
- No Bake Chocolate Mousse Tart
- Keto Lemon Curd Tart
- Rhubarb Crumble Tart
- Tomato Goat Cheese Tart
- Mini Chocolate Macadamia Tarts
Keto Cannoli Tart
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup granular Swerve Sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Filling
- 12 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese room temperature
- 5 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ¼ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- ¼ cup granular Swerve Sweetener
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup sugar-free chocolate chips
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
- 1 ounce sugar-free dark chocolate
- ½ tablespoon butter
Instructions
To make the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the dough resembles coarse crumbs.
- Turn the loose dough out into a 9-inch ceramic tart pan. Press firmly into the bottom and up the sides. Use a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup to even out the bottom of the crust. Prick all over with a fork.
- Par-bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and cool while you prepare the filling.
To make the filling:
- In a food processor or high powered blender, combine the ricotta, cream cheese, eggs, powdered sweetener, granulated sweetener, and vanilla extract. Process on high until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the par-baked tart crust. Set the tart pan into a large roasting pan and fill the roasting pan with water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the tart pan.
- Carefully place the roasting pan into the oven and bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the filling is just set. Cover the edges of the crust with strips of tinfoil if they are browning too quickly during baking.
- Remove the tart from the water bath and let cool 20 minutes. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to overnight, before serving.
To make the chocolate drizzle:
- Place the chopped chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth.
To serve:
- Drizzle the chocolate over the chilled tart, and slice into 12 pieces.
Joyce says
This was easy and delicious. Creamy and chocolatey. Definitely a keeper.
Crystal says
Made this tonight and it was amazing! Thank you for another great recipe.
Angela says
Would a 8.5 or 9.5 inch tart pan work? Going to order but dont know which size? The one i wanted doesnt have 9 inch option
Jim says
Another of your recipes that’ll get made over and over in our house; I might even get the crust right next time! A bit hit with the three Italian-Americans (Mom, me, the wife) on Mother’s Day. Not too sweet and very forgiving to a non-baker trying to make it.
Sabrina says
thank you! best of so many things, love cannoli, a tart and veryh low carb with almond flour,, always good to know that this recipe has been tested to know that it work,, i don[t think Id be comfortable trying to make a low carb or keto version myself so much appreciated!
Maddie says
Hello! I am very excited to make this! Would a pie pan work as well??
Carolyn says
It’s going to be deeper so it may take a bit longer to bake through.
Linda says
Hi Carolyn,
I hope this is not out of order but I come to you because I know, from owning your books and reading the posts and pointers on your site, that you are an expert in adapting conventional recipes to keto and that you have a lot of experience with alternative flours. I’m looking to adapt the crust in the link below and would like to keep the hazelnut part of the crust. Do you think I could do a 1:1 swap of almond flour for the rice flour, or do you think there’s another, better flour for the crust?
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017817-cranberry-curd-tart?action=click&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=Article®ion=Footer
Thanks and happy holiday!
Best regards,
Linda
Megan says
Maybe this is covered somewhere, but what’s the reason for granulated and powdered swerve? Could you not use all of one or the other?
Carolyn says
Better consistency and creaminess.
John says
So I made cannoli 1St (incredible!) Then needed to use the remaining ricotta. The tart sounded good. Well it’s not only 👍great it’s elite! Super creamy. Wish you could see the pic. Sitting down now to eat with an expresso😋 I’m half Italian 🇮🇹 so this of course is euphoria!
Cristie says
Carolyn, I pre-ordered your book after seeing this recipe online. I finally made it last night and OMG was it AMAZING!! My boyfriend can’t wait for me to work my way through the book after eating this. In no way, shape or form can one feel deprived when they can eat this deliciousness. Thank you!
Carolyn says
That is wonderful to hear!
Therese says
I love your recipes. I am wondering whether a majority of your recipes contain dairy? We need to do keto dairy free. Thanks for your creativeness.
Carolyn says
About 30% of the book is dairy free or can be made dairy free. But really, it’s probably more than that because there are some really good nut-milk based “cheeses” out there these days. Kite Hill has a good cream cheese and I think they do a ricotta too! So even though I didn’t designate certain these as Dairy-Free Option, I think that there are quite a few that could be adapted.
Kate Olson says
I hope I did this right.
Kate Delaney Scholl Olson shared All Day I Dream About Food’s post.
Melissa says
Hi Carolyn! Ever since I started keto, or should I say made the commitment, ive always wanted to get my hands on a low carb high fat recipe book and once I saw your book I rushed to grab my credit card and preordered! Thank you for making this and you will soon be joining me on my keto success!
Carolyn says
Thank you so much, Melissa!
Vivian says
Oh, it IS ordered and I am counting down the days! You have saved me so much time because I can always trust your recipes! I no longer experiment and waste expensive ingredients! Thanks again for all your hard work!
Carolyn says
Thank you, Vivian!
Becky B says
Ordered in April…..waiting patiently…not!
Johanna Buecheler says
Preordered. Woohoo!
Carolyn says
Thank you so much!
Julie Snow says
I preordered your book. Can’t wait!
Carolyn says
Many thanks!