Here’s a Lemon Meringue Pie Cannoli recipe that fuses the crispy, creamy goodness of an Italian classic with the bright, tangy flavors of a lemon meringue pie. Think of it as a zesty, summery twist on the traditional cannoli — perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself.
🍋 Lemon Meringue Pie Cannoli Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time: 15 mins (plus cooling time)
🍽 Makes: ~12 cannoli
Components
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Crispy Cannoli Shells (or use store-bought)
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Lemon Cream Filling
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Toasted Meringue Topping
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Optional Garnishes: crushed graham crackers, lemon zest, powdered sugar
1. Ingredients
🥚 For the Cannoli Shells (skip if using store-bought):
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2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp sugar
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¼ tsp salt
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2 tbsp unsalted butter (cold, diced)
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1 egg
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½ cup dry white wine (or water)
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Oil for frying
🍋 For the Lemon Filling:
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1 cup (240ml) lemon curd (homemade or good-quality store-bought)
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¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
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½ cup (120g) mascarpone or cream cheese (softened)
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1 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)
☁️ For the Meringue:
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2 egg whites
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½ cup (100g) sugar
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¼ tsp cream of tartar or a squeeze of lemon juice
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½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
2. Instructions
🔸 Step 1: Make or Prepare Cannoli Shells
If making from scratch:
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Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
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Add egg and wine to form a dough. Knead until smooth.
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Wrap and chill for 30 min. Roll out thinly, cut into 4-inch circles.
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Wrap around cannoli forms, seal with egg wash.
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Fry in hot oil (180°C/350°F) for ~2 minutes until golden.
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Cool completely and gently remove from forms.
Shortcut: Use store-bought shells to save time!
🔸 Step 2: Lemon Cream Filling
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Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
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In another bowl, beat mascarpone/cream cheese until smooth.
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Fold in lemon curd and whipped cream. Chill until ready to use.
🔸 Step 3: Meringue Topping
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In a clean bowl, whisk egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy.
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Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
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Pipe or spoon onto filled cannoli and toast gently with a kitchen torch.
3. Assembly
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Pipe the lemon cream into each cannoli shell using a pastry bag.
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Pipe or dollop meringue on one or both ends.
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Toast the meringue with a blowtorch until golden.
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Garnish with:
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Crushed graham cracker crumbs
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Grated lemon zest
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Powdered sugar dusting
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✅ Tips
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Assemble just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
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Use pasteurized egg whites if concerned about raw eggs.
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Can refrigerate filled cannoli for a short time, but they’re best fresh.