Easy & Healthy Blueberry Lemon Cannoli Recipe: A 15-Minute Summer Treat with Flatout Bread
Prepare to be amazed by a dessert that’s not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably quick and healthy! We’ve proudly collaborated with the wonderful team at Flatoutbread to bring you these exquisite Blueberry Lemon Cannolis. They are the epitome of a perfect summer treat – light, refreshing, and bursting with vibrant flavors, all without the usual guilt associated with indulgent desserts. What truly sets this recipe apart is its incredible simplicity and speed: using Flatout Foldits, these delightful cannolis can be prepared and baked in just about 15 minutes, making them an ideal choice for a spontaneous craving or a last-minute gathering.
Throughout my personal weight loss journey, Flatout bread has been an indispensable ally. Their diverse range of bread products has opened up a world of culinary possibilities, enabling me to create countless healthy and satisfying meals. From quick, healthy pizza bases to versatile wraps for lunch or dinner, and now, fun and easy desserts like these cannolis, Flatout provides innovative solutions for every mealtime. Their commitment to offering lighter, more nutritious alternatives has been instrumental in making healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable. There truly is a Flatout product for everyone, transforming ordinary dishes into extraordinary, diet-friendly creations.
These delectable Blueberry Lemon Cannolis are a testament to how healthy eating can be utterly delicious. Each one is a mere 126 calories and an impressive 5 SmartPoints (for those following Weight Watchers or similar programs). This makes them an outstanding option for anyone seeking a guilt-free sweet treat that aligns with their dietary goals. It’s proof that you don’t have to compromise on taste to eat well! We highly encourage you to discover the versatility and quality of Flatout bread. Visit the Flatout store locator today to find a retailer near you and start exploring the endless possibilities their products offer.
What truly makes this cannoli recipe revolutionary is its clever use of Flatout Foldits as a substitute for traditional fried pastry shells. This ingenious twist bypasses the need for deep frying, significantly reducing the fat content and overall calories, while also cutting down on preparation time. The result is a crisp, baked shell that provides the perfect textural contrast to the creamy, fruit-filled interior, delivering all the satisfaction of a classic cannoli with a healthier, modern edge. It’s an accessible recipe that empowers home cooks to recreate a beloved dessert with ease and confidence, even if they’re new to baking.
Blueberry Lemon Cannoli Recipe Details
This recipe is designed to yield 4 perfectly portioned cannolis, ideal for serving as an individual treat or sharing with a small group. With just 5 minutes of active preparation and a quick 10-minute bake time, you can have a sophisticated, homemade dessert ready in no time at all. This efficiency makes it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
Ingredients
- 2 Flatout Foldits: For the best results and an added nutritional boost, we recommend using the 5 grains and flax variety. These thin, flexible flatbreads are the innovative secret to creating light, crunchy cannoli shells without the need for traditional, heavy dough.
- Egg whites: A small quantity of egg whites is used to brush the Flatout shells before baking. This helps them achieve a beautifully crisp texture and a lovely golden-brown hue, enhancing their appeal and structural integrity.
- 1/3 cup light ricotta cheese: This forms the foundational creamy base of our cannoli filling. Opting for light ricotta cheese significantly reduces the fat content while still delivering a rich, satisfying mouthfeel that’s essential for cannolis.
- 2.5 oz softened light cream cheese: The addition of softened light cream cheese contributes to the filling’s luxurious smoothness and adds a subtle tangy note that perfectly complements the ricotta. Ensure it’s at room temperature for effortless blending.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract is crucial for rounding out the flavors of the creamy filling, adding a comforting sweetness and aromatic depth that makes the dessert truly special.
- 3/4 tsp lemon zest: Finely grated lemon zest provides an intense, bright citrus aroma and flavor. This ingredient is key to achieving that distinctive “lemon” aspect in our blueberry lemon cannolis, offering a refreshing zing.
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a wonderful tartness that balances the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the cheeses, creating a well-rounded and invigorating taste profile.
- 2.5 Tbsp icing sugar (confectionery sugar): Used to sweeten the filling to your desired level, icing sugar dissolves seamlessly, ensuring a silky-smooth texture without any graininess. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on your preference for sweetness.
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries: These vibrant, juicy berries are folded into the cream mixture, providing natural sweetness, a slight tartness, and a pop of color and antioxidants. They are what tie the “blueberry” into this delightful dessert.
Instructions
- Prepare your baking setup: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). As the oven heats, take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This vital step prevents the cannoli shells from sticking and ensures an effortless cleanup after baking.
- Craft the creamy filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the light ricotta cheese, the softened light cream cheese, icing sugar, fresh lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together for approximately 2 minutes. Continue to mix until the concoction is perfectly smooth, light, and airy, with no visible lumps.
- Gently fold in blueberries: With a spatula, very carefully fold the fresh blueberries into your prepared creamy cheese mixture. It’s important to be gentle to avoid crushing the berries, as you want them to retain their shape and provide delightful bursts of flavor. Once the blueberries are evenly distributed, cover the bowl and place the mixture in the refrigerator. Chilling allows the flavors to deepen and the mixture to firm up slightly, making it easier to pipe later.
- Form and bake the Flatout shells: Take each of your two Flatout Foldit breads and cut them in half, yielding four semi-circular pieces. To create the iconic cannoli shape, carefully wrap each Flatout half around a toothpick or a small metal cannoli tube, securing the ends to form a tubular shell. Lightly brush the entire exterior of each shaped Flatout shell with egg whites. This coating promotes crispness and a beautiful golden-brown finish during baking. Arrange the formed shells on your parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and slightly firm to the touch.
- Cool the shells and remove toothpicks: Once baked, carefully remove the cannoli shells from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes. This cooling period is crucial as it allows the shells to set and solidify, ensuring they maintain their shape. After 5 minutes, very gently remove the toothpicks or tubes from the shells. At this point, they should be sturdy enough to hold their form.
- Fill the cannolis to perfection: Retrieve your chilled blueberry lemon cheese mixture from the refrigerator. For the easiest and cleanest filling process, spoon the mixture into a small ziplock bag. Snip off one corner of the bag, creating an opening large enough for the blueberries to pass through smoothly. Pipe the creamy mixture into each end of your cooled cannoli shells, ensuring that each shell is generously and uniformly filled from one end to the other.
- Chill and serve: For optimal flavor and texture, these delicious blueberry lemon cannolis are best served chilled. Store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy them. This recipe yields 4 perfectly sized cannolis, each offering a delightful and satisfying experience.
Nutritional Information and Diet-Friendly Notes
Each individual cannoli, excluding any optional garnishes or additional fruit, offers a smart and satisfying nutritional profile:
- Calories: Approximately 126
- Total Fat: 5.3g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7g
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.5g
- Sugars: 7.6g
- Protein: 7.6g
Furthermore, each cannoli contributes 5 SmartPoints (or 3 PointsPlus for legacy Weight Watchers programs), positioning them as an excellent choice for a dessert that fits comfortably within various weight management and healthy eating plans. The thoughtful inclusion of fiber from the Flatout bread and fresh blueberries, combined with a notable protein content, helps promote satiety, making these cannolis a truly satisfying and guilt-free indulgence.
Why Choose Flatout Bread for Your Dessert Creations?
Flatout bread products are a secret weapon in the kitchen for anyone looking to create delicious, versatile, and health-conscious meals and desserts. Their Foldits, in particular, are thin, remarkably flexible, and possess a neutral flavor profile that makes them incredibly adaptable to both savory and sweet applications. By ingeniously repurposing them as cannoli shells, we circumvent the need for traditional, calorie-dense pastry dough and the high-fat method of deep frying. This simple, yet brilliant substitution dramatically reduces the fat and calorie count of the dessert, allowing you to savor your favorite treats without compromising on your health goals. Flatout’s dedication to using wholesome ingredients also means you’re often incorporating valuable fiber and whole grains into your diet, elevating the nutritional value of your dessert. Their inherent versatility empowers you to explore an endless array of sweet possibilities, from mini fruit pizzas and dessert wraps to these exquisite cannolis, all while maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
To further enhance the presentation and flavor of your Blueberry Lemon Cannolis, consider a few simple serving suggestions. A delicate dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds an elegant finish and a subtle extra layer of sweetness. For a fresh touch and a beautiful visual contrast, a sprig of fresh mint can be placed alongside or on top of each cannoli. If you’re a true citrus enthusiast, a final sprinkle of additional lemon zest will amplify the bright, tangy notes.
Should you feel adventurous, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable to creative variations. While the blueberry and lemon combination is undeniably perfect, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruit fillings. Fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries could offer a delightful alternative, introducing a different berry sweetness and tartness. For a slightly different flavor profile, a tiny hint of almond extract added to the cream cheese mixture could provide a warm, nutty undertone. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, allowing you to personalize it and make it uniquely your own with various fruit and flavor combinations.
Enjoy This Light and Flavorful Dessert!
Whether you’re an experienced home baker or simply seeking an effortlessly easy and healthy dessert idea, these Blueberry Lemon Cannolis are guaranteed to delight and impress. Their wonderfully light and refreshingly vibrant flavor profile makes them an ideal sweet treat for any occasion – perfect for summer picnics, backyard barbecues, or simply as a well-deserved, guilt-free evening indulgence. The harmonious blend of tangy lemon, sweet, juicy blueberries, and a rich, creamy filling, all encased within a delightfully crisp Flatout shell, culminates in a dessert that is both deeply satisfying and surprisingly light. You’ll truly appreciate how quickly these can be whipped up, leaving you with more precious time to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the company of loved ones.
Our passion for creating innovative and exciting recipes with Flatout bread is boundless, and this blueberry lemon cannoli recipe stands as a shining example of their incredible versatility. It offers a fantastic and health-conscious way to enjoy a beloved classic dessert, reimagined with a modern, lighter twist. So, don’t hesitate! Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and treat yourself to these undeniably delicious Blueberry Lemon Cannolis. And when you do try this wonderful recipe, remember to share your culinary creations! Mention @drizzlemeskinny or tag us with #drizzlemeskinny on Instagram – we absolutely love seeing your delicious results!