Trader Joe’s cannoli dip is a rich and creamy dessert that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The cannoli dip is made with sweetened ricotta cheese and has a delicious vanilla flavor. It comes in a tub and can be found in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe’s. There are many great options for how to eat and serve this tasty treat!
With Fruit
One popular way to eat Trader Joe’s cannoli dip is with fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana slices, or apple slices. The fruit provides a sweet complement to the rich dip. Simply dip the fruit pieces directly into the cannoli dip tub and enjoy!
Another way is to create a fruit salad with bite-sized pieces of fruit like grapes, mandarin oranges, and chopped pineapple. Then serve the fruit salad with the cannoli dip on the side for dunking the fruit. The fruit salad balances out the richness of the dip.
You could also create baked fruit crisps or crumbles and top them with a dollop of the cannoli dip for an added sweet layer of flavor.
With Cookies or Wafers
Cookies and wafers are also a fantastic vehicle for eating Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. You can simply dip cookies like vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or biscotti directly into the tub of dip.
Another idea is to spread the dip onto cookies, wafers, or graham crackers to make little sandwiches or bites. The crunchy cookie texture contrasts nicely with the smooth and creamy dip.
You can also crumble various cookies on top of the cannoli dip for added texture and flavor. Cookies like snickerdoodles, gingersnaps, or chocolate chip cookies pair well with the vanilla dip.
On Pancakes or Waffles
For a decadent breakfast or dessert, try topping your pancakes or waffles with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. The creamy vanilla dip makes a tasty topping in place of syrup or whipped cream. Simply cook up a batch of pancakes or waffles, then add a dollop of the cannoli dip on top of each stack.
You can also spread the dip directly on the pancakes or waffles and top with fresh fruit like bananas or strawberries. The fruit adds moisture and balances out the richness. This makes for an easy and elegant dish with minimal effort.
With Bread or Crackers
Bread and crackers make a quick and easy base for eating Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. You can serve the dip with sliced bread, dinner rolls, baguette slices, pita chips, or any type of cracker. Spread or dip the bread and crackers directly into the tub of cannoli dip for instant appetizers or a snack.
Some crunchy crackers that pair well with the creamy vanilla dip include graham crackers, butter crackers, shortbread cookies, pretzel crisps, and biscotti. For soft bread, try slices of challah, brioche, banana bread, or raisin bread.
As a Fruit Pizza Topping
For a unique dessert idea, use Trader Joe’s cannoli dip as a topping for fruit pizza. Start with a sugar cookie crust or a round pizza crust. Spread the cannoli dip evenly over the crust. Decorate the pizza with sliced fruit like kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, and mandarin oranges. You can also add shredded coconut for texture and garnish with mint leaves.
The creamy vanilla cannoli dip makes a tasty base for the colorful fruit. It’s a beautiful dessert pizza that’s full of flavors. Add a drizzle of honey over the fruit for extra sweetness.
As a Cake or Cupcake Topping
Trader Joe’s cannoli dip can also be used as an easy cake or cupcake topping. Simply prepare a cake or cupcakes, then frost with buttercream or whipped cream frosting. Add dollops of the cannoli dip on top of each cupcake or spread it in a layer over a frosted cake.
The creamy vanilla dip adds delicious flavor and texture as a topping. Garnish with chopped nuts, cinnamon, chocolate shavings, or powdered sugar for extra flair. The sweet dip pairs perfectly with chocolate, yellow cake, or spice cake flavors.
As a Filling for Crepes
For an elegant dessert, fill crepes with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. Make basic sweet crepes according to your favorite recipe, then add a generous dollop of the cannoli dip down the center of each crepe. Fold the crepes over the filling and top with a dusting of powdered sugar.
You can also add sliced strawberries, bananas, or chocolate sauce on top of the filled crepes. The creamy vanilla cannoli dip makes these crepes extra decadent. It’s a simple way to fancy up a basic crepe.
As a Dip for Donuts
Here’s an indulgent dessert idea – use Trader Joe’s cannoli dip as a dip for donuts! Plain glazed donuts pair perfectly with the sweet vanilla dip. Simply dip the donuts into the creamy cannoli filling for a rush of sweetness in every bite.
You can also dip chocolate frosted, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar donuts into the dip. The contrast of the crunchy donut with the smooth dip makes for a fun treat. Set out a platter of assorted donuts with a bowl of the cannoli dip for dipping at a breakfast party or potluck.
As a Spoonable Dessert
Trader Joe’s cannoli dip is delicious all on its own too. Simply grab a spoon and enjoy it straight from the tub for an easy sweet treat. The creamy, rich vanilla flavor is perfect as-is.
Top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder for an extra layer of flavor. You can even add a swirl of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce to the top. It’s a spoonable dessert that requires no other ingredients.
As a Dessert Spread
Use Trader Joe’s cannoli dip as a sweet spread for a variety of desserts. For example, spread it onto ice cream cones instead of ice cream for a unique twist. Or add a thick layer on top of brownies or chocolate cake for added richness.
You can also spread it inside crepes or between cake layers to add flavor before frosting the cake. Use it as a dip for fresh strawberries or pretzels for a dessert snack. The sweet vanilla dip works well as a versatile dessert spread.
In a Parfait
Layer Trader Joe’s cannoli dip in parfaits for a pretty dessert in a jar. Simply build the parfait by adding alternating layers of the cannoli dip, whipped cream, crushed cookies, fresh fruit, and chocolate shavings in a glass jar or parfait cup.
Start with a layer of the creamy vanilla dip, then whipped cream, then fruit, then repeat the layers. Top with crushed cookies, chocolate shavings, and a mint leaf for garnish. The parfait highlights the flavors of the creamy dip.
In a Trifle
The sweet vanilla cannoli dip also works great as a layer in trifles. Build up your trifle by layering pieces of angel food cake, sliced strawberries, and Trader Joe’s cannoli dip in a clear glass bowl.
Top with layers of chocolate shavings and whipped cream. Let the creamy white and vanilla colors of the dip show through the glass bowl for a pretty presentation. The dip adds rich flavor in each bite of the trifle.
As a Fruit Dip
For a simple snack or appetizer, serve Trader Joe’s cannoli dip as a fruit dip. Arrange bite-sized pieces of apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, or melon on a platter. Serve the creamy vanilla dip in a bowl in the center for dunking the fruit.
The lightly sweetened cannoli dip pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of fresh fruit. The fruit also helps cut the richness of the dip. It’s an easy go-to appetizer for any occasion.
As a Topping for Roasted Fruit
Try topping roasted fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines, or pears with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. Simply cut up the fruits, toss with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon, and roast at 400°F until softened and caramelized.
Then serve the roasted fruit warm with a scoop of the chilled cannoli dip on top. The contrast of the warm fruit and cool dip is delicious. The dip also adds a nice creaminess to balance the sweet roasted fruit.
As a Mascarpone Substitute
You can use Trader Joe’s cannoli dip as a shortcut substitute for mascarpone cheese in recipes. Its rich, creamy texture makes it a convenient stand-in for mascarpone in dishes like tiramisu, cannoli filling, cheesecake, or frosting.
Simply use the cannoli dip in the same quantity called for in the recipe. The sweet vanilla flavor may slightly alter the final taste compared to mascarpone, but it will still work great in most applications requiring a thick, creamy cheese.
On Panna Cotta
For an elegant Italian-inspired dessert, top panna cotta with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. Make a basic vanilla panna cotta recipe and chill it until set. Then drizzle some of the creamy cannoli dip on top for added decadence.
You can also pipe the cannoli dip on top using a pastry bag to create a decorative look. Top with fresh raspberries or a mint leaf. The richness of the dip pairs wonderfully with the smooth and creamy panna cotta.
With Fresh Berries
Enjoy Trader Joe’s cannoli dip dolloped on top of fresh berries for a simple summery treat. Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries all pair nicely with the sweet vanilla dip.
For a pretty dessert, fill wine glasses or parfait cups with layers of mixed fresh berries, then top with a generous scoop of the chilled cannoli dip. Garnish with mint and serve immediately before the berries release their juices.
As a Pie Topping
Here’s a unique way to serve up your favorite pie – top it with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip! The creamy vanilla dip makes an excellent topping in place of whipped cream on top of pies.
Try it on top of chocolate cream pie, banana cream pie, coconut cream pie, or classic fruit pies like apple pie or cherry pie. Spread or pipe the dip over pie slices just before serving for extra richness and flavor.
As a Crostini Topping
For an easy appetizer, top baked crostini with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. Simply brush baguette slices with olive oil and bake until crispy. Then top each crostini with a dollop of the cannoli dip and add your desired toppings like prosciutto, fig jam, basil, or lemon zest.
The creamy vanilla dip makes a delicious base for savory crostini toppings. It’s also tasty when spread on crackers or flatbread crackers. The crostini make an elegant starter for any occasion.
On Ice Cream or Gelato
For the ultimate sweet treat, try topping your favorite ice cream or gelato with Trader Joe’s cannoli dip. The cold, creamy dessert is the perfect base for the rich and creamy vanilla-flavored dip.
Simply add a big dollop of the cannoli dip on top of scoops of ice cream or gelato. Some delicious flavor combinations include chocolate chip ice cream with the vanilla dip, pistachio gelato with the dip, and strawberry ice cream topped with the dip. Indulge your sweet tooth and let the dip drizzle down the sides for extra yumminess!
Storage and Serving Tips
When storing Trader Joe’s cannoli dip, keep the tub in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Properly stored, it will keep for 7-10 days after opening. Make sure to cover the dip tightly before returning it to the fridge.
Allow the refrigerated dip to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to soften it to a creamy spreading consistency. The flavor really shines when it’s not ice cold.
When serving, provide small knives or spoons for spreading or scooping the dip. Offer an assortment of items like fruit, cookies, bread, or cake for dipping and spreading.
Set out the tub of dip on a serving platter surrounded by the dippers. This allows guests to help themselves to the sweet vanilla cannoli dip however they please!
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s cannoli dip is endlessly versatile and can be used in so many sweet or savory applications. It makes a delicious topping, filling, or stand-alone treat. With its rich vanilla flavor and smooth creamy texture, the possibilities are endless for new ways to eat cannoli dip!
Try serving it alongside fresh fruit, spreading it on crepes or pancakes, layering it in parfaits, or simply enjoying it with a spoon. However you choose to eat Trader Joe’s cannoli dip, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleasing dessert.