I’m a Professional Baker — This Is the One No-Bake Italian Dessert I Make on Repeat All Summer (the Secret Ingredient Is a Boxed Mix!)

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

As summer approaches, I am always on the lookout for a dessert that is satisfying, beautiful, and — most importantly — doesn’t require turning on my oven. Don’t get me wrong, I love to bake more than anything. But let’s be real, baking in the summer feels like an Olympic sport.

Now I wouldn’t call myself a cannoli expert, but I’ve definitely had my fair share. A creamy interior studded with mini chocolate chips and held together by a crispy crunchy shell, what’s not to love? I’ve sampled cannoli from Little Italy in New York to bakeries in New Jersey, Boston, and even San Francisco. So when I stumbled across this no-bake cannoli delight, I knew I had to try it. It’s like the perfect cannoli bite without the fryer, without the oven, and with zero fuss. This is the ultimate make-ahead dessert for those summer days when you just want something creamy, cool, and indulgent. And the best part? It’s so good, your kids and family will beg you to make it all summer long.

Chicken Tinga

Get the recipe: No-Bake Cannoli Delight

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

What Makes No-Bake Cannoli Delight So Good

One of my favorite things about this no-bake cannoli delight is the mix of textures. It’s a dessert game-changer. You get the satisfying crunch from the graham cracker layer mimicking the classic cannoli shell. Then there’s the creamy ricotta filling, made even more delicious with a surprise twist of cream cheese. (Seriously, cream cheese just makes everything better.) The combination of cream cheese and ricotta cheese is genius. The cream cheese brings a tangy richness while the rich ricotta keeps things light. Fold in a bit of fluffy whipped cream, and suddenly you’ve got this wonderfully airy, luscious texture.

But my favorite part is the chocolate pudding layer. Honestly, who doesn’t love pudding? It cuts through the richness of the cheese mixture perfectly. The whole thing is topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. Lastly, it’s served cold! So when the summer heat comes blazing in and you’re totally burnt out on ice cream, this dessert will be waiting in your fridge.

If You’re Making No-Bake Cannoli Delight, a Few Tips

Skip the Cool Whip. While it might be tempting to substitute the whipped cream for Cool Whip out of ease, I promise you the fresh whipped cream makes all the difference.

The orange zest is key! The zest contains so much flavor, adding a touch of brightness while infusing the dessert with a subtle yet delicious citrusy note.

Get the recipe: No-Bake Cannoli Delight