Description
A simple recipe for baked squares mimicking the flavors of traditional cannoli.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt for the crust.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Beat the egg and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined into a dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Mix in the lemon zest.
- Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the warm crust.
- Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the cream cheese layer.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Let the squares cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta cheese for cream cheese for a more authentic flavor, but ensure the ricotta is well-drained.
- Dust the cooled squares lightly with powdered sugar before serving for presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 45
Keywords: cannoli, squares, dessert, cream cheese, chocolate chip, baked pastry