Cannoli Filling

Having a healthy diet does not mean there is no wiggle room for desserts. With one simple change to a timeless Italian classic, it becomes something that everyone can enjoy regardless of dietary restrictions. Creamy ricotta cheese is mixed using the natural sweetener stevia plus several other additions to make an utterly luscious treat. Feel free to experiment using dried fruit and miniature chocolate chips to complement the sweetness of the cannoli.

Cannoli Filling

1½ cups part-skim or fat free ricotta cheese (drained, if necessary)

¼ tsp. stevia extract**

¼ tsp. vanilla extract

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tbsp. dried fruit (optional)

1 oz. miniature chocolate chips/carob chips** (optional)

Process the ricotta cheese in a food processor or blender. This will eliminate the graininess that store-bought ricotta cheese possesses. You may have to periodically taste the ricotta to make sure it is creamy to your liking. If you have made your own fresh ricotta cheese, skip this step, but make sure the ricotta is well-drained.

In a medium bowl, blend the ricotta cheese, stevia, vanilla and cinnamon. You can do this by hand or with an electric handheld mixer. Using a mixer will ensure that the ricotta will be quite creamy - just in case the food processor did not get the job done.

Dice the dried fruit (if using) in a food processor, or if you are handy with a chef's knife, dice the fruit finely. Fold the fruit and chocolate chips (if using) into the ricotta mixture. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours; overnight is better, time permitting.

Pipe into cannoli shells or spoon into chilled dessert bowls. Serve immediately.

NOTE:  Stevia extract is a liquid and can be found in health food stores and from various vendors online. If you cannot obtain stevia extract, use the packaged stevia (like Truvia). Use the same measurements listed in the recipe to start and add more to suit your tastes (I added three packets of Truvia to get the sweetness where I wanted it.).

If you are not concerned about your fat intake, by all means use whole milk ricotta or any other type of higher fat ricotta - I am sure no one will complain!

I coarsely chopped up 3/4 of a Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar (1.4 oz. size) and added it instead of miniature chocolate chips.