Cannoli Poke Cake is a super moist white cake topped with a cannoli filling frosting and mini chocolate chips. If you love cannolis, you’re going to love them even more in cake form!

Cannoli Poke Cake
Serve this Cannoli Poke Cake after Baked Mostaccioli with Sauteed Asparagus. If you need another cannoli-themed recipe, try my no-bake strawberry cannoli cones!
I originally published this cannoli poke cake recipe June 11, 2014. I’m going to leave the original text, because it’s a journal for me, and add some new, helpful tips and pictures. Here we go 🙂
I’m back to work after maternity leave #sadpanda. Being a mom is hard, guys. In the best way possible, but hard nonetheless.
I can’t seem to find enough hours in the day, especially now that I’m back to work.
I made this cake for Mother’s Day (you know, a month ago), but I’m just getting around to posting it. On top of that, I didn’t even take “real” pictures. These are just quick cell phone shots (scroll down to the bottom to see my “BEFORE” pic).
Hopefully I’ll get the hang of this mom/work/life/blog thing soon and can get back into the swing of things. I miss cooking and baking. [Spoiler alert – I haven’t really gotten the hang of it 5 years and another kid later haha]

Equipment you’ll need
- Mixing Bowls – I love this colorful set.
- Glass Baking Dish – I especially love that this dish has a lid since this cake needs to be stored in the fridge.
- Hand Mixer – This one comes in such pretty colors.
- Offset Spatula – To make spreading the frosting a breeze.
Ingredients you’ll need
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- White Cake Mix + ingredients called for on box – I usually opt for Duncan Hines. If you want the cake to be truly white, only use egg whites & skip the yolks.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Condensed milk is cow’s milk that’s had the water removed & sugar added. It’s thick and sweet. Not to be confused with evaporated milk!
- Ricotta Cheese – Ricotta is smooth and creamy with a thick texture. It’s great in sweet and savory dishes. If yours is watery, drain off any excess water.
- Mascarpone Cheese – Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese. It has a higher fat content than “American” cream cheese and has a richer taste.
- Vanilla Extract – I know vanilla extract is pricey, but you can make your own or buy it in bulk from Sam’s or Costco, like I do.
- Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioners sugar – same thing. It’s just a very fine sugar.
- Cinnamon – I also recommend getting a decent quality cinnamon for great flavor.
- Mini Chocolate Chips – Your favorite kind – milk, dark, or semi-sweet – they’re easy to find these days.
How to make cannoli poke cake
This cannoli poke cake cake was my first poke cake recipe and it couldn’t have been easier!
- First, prepare & bake a boxed white cake mix, per the box directions.
- Once cooled, poke holes in it, then fill it up with sweetened condensed milk, reserving half a cup for the frosting. Let that soak in for about an hour in the fridge.
- While it’s soaking in the goodness, make the cannoli frosting. To a large bowl, add the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract and beat until it’s smooth.
- Then add in the powdered sugar and cinnamon and mix until combined. Add in the reserved sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
- Smooth the frosting over the cooled cake and sprinkle with powdered sugar and mini chocolate chips.
Where can you find mascarpone cheese in the grocery story?
I always have trouble finding the mascarpone cheese in my grocery store. It is usually in the front of the store, by the deli, and not back by the traditional cream cheese. It’s usually by the feta, in a small white tub.
Is mascarpone cheese and cream cheese the same thing?
No, they’re not. Mascarpone is basically Italian cream cheese. It is made with whole cream so it has a higher fat content than American cream cheese, making with richer and creamier.
What is cannoli filling made of?
The cake is then topped with what tastes just like the filling of a cannoli. It made a beautifully light and sweet frosting made with ricotta cheese.
Sprinkled with the chocolate chips and a dusting of powdered sugar, this cake makes a perfect alternative to the traditional cannoli.
Why is my topping so thin?
I’ve had several people tell me their topping is thin/watery and though I have not had this problem, I think I figured out why.
If you beat mascarpone cheese too long, it will get thin. It actually curdles and causes the water to separate from the cheese curds.
To avoid this, mix until just combined and smooth.

Need more poke cakes? Try these?
- Pistachio Cake – My most requested recipe, this one is a hit.
- Hot Chocolate Poke Cake
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Kahlua Chocolate Poke Cake
- Apple Pie Poke Cake
Click here to view my entire collection of cake recipes.



Yum!! That looks delicious 🙂
Love this! What a great idea to use the flavors of a cannoli in a poke cake! Yum!!
Holy Cannoli, this looks so good! I have only ever done jello poke cakes… but sc milk sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing at the Caffeinated Crafters Link Party!
look amazing! good luck going back to work 🙂
Why is my frosting so runny? I followed the recipe exactly.
Maybe your cheeses got too warm? I’m not sure. Maybe pop it in the fridge for a little bit then try beating it again? Or adding a little more powdered sugar?
Guessing this needs to stay in the fridge? I don’t like cold cake
I think it would be best to store it in the fridge but it can sit out. It should last 4-5 days, or so. My mom only likes cold cake & I don’t get it 😉
Quick question. Does the sweetend condensed milk get sticky like caramel or creamy?
My hubby has dentures and we don’t want sticky. Lol
Thanks
Aww, no not at all caramel like! It’s just very moist – I think you’ll be fine =) Let me know!
Dose the connoil cake need to be refrigerated after its done
Hi Kathie,
Yes, I would refrigerate it. Ours didn’t last long though, it was eaten quickly 😉
Can’t wait to try the poke cake
While everyone enjoyed the taste of this, I am not sure I will make this again. I also had an issue with the icing being runny/soupy. I’m not sure what happened here since I followed the recipe .
So strange – I just remade this to test (& retake these pictures) & mine turned out perfect. I’m glad everyone liked the taste though!
I don’t know what cheeses you’re using, but I followed your recipe exactly and the frosting is a slurry. It’s not thick enough to come close to spreading. It’s pourable. Perhaps the brands you use are better for the desired outcome?
If you over mix mascarpone cheese, it can get watery. I’m thinking that might have happened to you. I’m going to make a note in the recipe. I’m sorry yours was runny!
The only thing wrong with this cake is that we ate way too much of it. Lol. Seriously, delicious cake. If your topping is too runny, you’re either over mixing or the the cheese was too soft. If you’re using generic ricotta, that tends the be more watery as well.
ha, thank you Jaime!