If you’ve ever visited an Italian bakery, also called a pasticceria, then you’ve most likely seen cannoli front-and-center. This legendary Italian pastry is one of the most famous and iconic desserts to come out of Italy, and it’s also a staple at Italian restaurants across the country. But what is a cannoli, exactly, and how is it made?
What is a Cannoli?
First things first, the word “cannoli” is actually plural. If you’ve spent any time studying Italian, than you already know that the singular form of cannoli is “cannolo” (and yes, this means that “spaghetti” is also plural; a single spaghetti strand is called a “spaghetto”).
Historians have traced cannoli’s roots to the Palermo and Messina areas of Sicily, in the time period of approximately the year 1000 AD. During this time, the island was ruled by Arabs, and the word itself may have derived from the Arabic word qanawāt, meaning “tubes.” The word “cannoli” itself translated from Italian into “little tubes.” Perhaps not coincidentally, several Middle Eastern desserts resemble cannoli.
Over the years, cannoli came to be associated with Sicily’s Carnival season (which immediately precedes Lent), possibly as a fertility symbol. Their popularity spread from Sicily to the rest of Italy, and then to the United States with the millions of Italian immigrants who came over in the late 1800s and early 1900s. And once America got a taste, it couldn’t get enough.
How Are Cannoli Made?
Cannoli start with a crunchy shell, which is made by shaping a circle of dough around a cylinder and deep-frying it for a few minutes until crisp and crunchy. Dough ingredients include:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Salt
- A pinch of cinnamon
- A splash of Madeira wine
After cooling, these shells are occasionally coated with melted chocolate for an extra indulgence.
What is the Filling in a Cannoli Made of?
These shells are filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta-based filling. Recipes for this filling can vary, but traditionally include:
- Fresh whole milk ricotta
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
- Warming spices including cinnamon and allspice
- Chocolate chips, occasionally
A piping bag is used to fill the shell; the filling is usually added at both ends in order to make sure it’s filled the whole way through. After the cannoli are filled, the dessert is usually finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. It’s best to fill the shells immediately or shortly before serving; if the filling sits inside the shell for too long, it can cause the shell to become a little soggy.
What Types of Cannoli Are There?
While some pastry shops flavor the filling with espresso or chocolate, the main differences in types of cannoli are in the adornment. Cannoli ends can be dunked in mini chocolate chips, crushed nuts including pistachios or almonds, or candied citrus peel. Many Italian pastry shops will have several varieties of cannoli on offer. A lesser-known type of cannoli, called Venetian cannoli, has a flaky puff pastry shell and is filled with vanilla or chocolate custard instead of ricotta.
The classic flavors and textures of cannoli can also be translated into a cake or pie.
Is Cannoli a Dessert or Breakfast Food?
In short, both! While cannoli are most commonly consumed as dessert alongside an espresso, they also make for a lovely breakfast, accompanied by a cup of coffee or cappuccino.
Is Cannoli Served Hot or Cold?
Cannoli are always served cold or at room temperature. If the filling is added while the shell is still warm, it can cause the filling to melt.
This article originally appeared on Goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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Why Was Fruitcake Outlawed? ( & Why Do People Eat Fruitcake on Christmas?)
Once one of the most popular cakes around, fruitcake, a dense bread-like cake studded with candied fruits, has become a national joke in the US., many calling it one of the worst holiday gifts. We have the late talk show host Johnny Carson to thank for the degradation of this delicious cake that has become, for many, a gag holiday gift.
The once beloved holiday cake was mocked for its heftiness and indestructibility many times on Carson’s eponymous show. He famously opined “The worst Christmas gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.”
But the joke is actually on those who pass up the opportunity to indulge in this sweet cake made with dried or candied fruits and, oftentimes, soaked in spirits. While this cake is most popular at Christmas time, we love to indulge in a slice anytime of year. Thanks to fruitcake‘s long shelf life, we can! Here’s everything you need to know about fruitcake.
Goldbelly
Fruitcake has been enjoyed for centuries. Fruitcake was first referenced in ancient Roman archives and later spread to other European countries. This Bundt, rectangular, or log-shaped cake didn’t gain popularity in the U.S. until the 16th century. Once mail order fruitcakes became a thing in the early 20th century, the fruitcake became the go-to holiday gift.
Goldbelly
Fruitcake doesn’t require refrigeration. It’s shelf-stable and lasts a long time, which made it a popular treat to eat prior to the invention of refrigeration. It was so loved that compressed bitesize cubes of fruitcake were served to astronauts during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
The fruitcake fell out of favor as companies began mass producing mail order versions and boxed cake mixes were introduced in the mid-20th century. Comedians making fun of it only added to the dislike for the cake.
wideonet / iStock
Fruitcake tastes like a fruity, nutty cake often with a hint of liqueur. Some fruitcakes, like those made in the South, are not soaked in liquor. Sometimes, it has faint flavors of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and/or nutmeg.
It is a moist and rich cake with a soft mouthfeel and the neon-colored candied or dried fruits are satisfyingly chewy. Some fruitcakes are topped with powdered sugar or icing, which adds an extra bit of sweetness.
Goldbelly
Fruitcake was outlawed in the 17th century after the English Civil War because Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell deemed the fruitcake to be “sinfully rich” and overly indulgent. This was overturned a couple of decades later.
Natalia Pogodina / iStock
People eat fruitcake on Christmas because it has been a European tradition for centuries that was later adopted in the US. Fruitcake was a year-round treat until the cost of ingredients skyrocketed in the 17th and 18th centuries. Since the cakes cost so much to make, they were reserved for special occasions like weddings and Christmas, a tradition that endures today.
The British commonly eat fruitcake, or, as they refer to it, Christmas pudding, during the Christmas season. In Australia and England, wedding cakes are often fruitcakes.
This article originally appeared on goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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Featured Image Credit: Goldbelly.
