Cannoli cakes pop up all over the place in Italy. Although they are found in Southern Italy, it has to be said Cannoli is perhaps more popular in Northern Italy.
From Italy, cannoli cake, or cannoli pastries as this sweet treat is more accurately known, has made its way right across the world.
More cannoli cakes are eaten in the United States than anywhere else. However, the Cannoli cake pops up in Italian bakeries in Australia. It would seem wherever you find Italians, you will find cannoli.
What Does Cannoli Mean?
The is no perfect translation for the Italian word cannoli. Perhaps it refers to the tube shape of the cake. That makes more sense than any other explanation.
Things don’t become any easier when you try to trace the origins of the cake. The origin of the cake seems to have been lost in the mists of time. Or has it?
The History of Cannoli Cake
Don’t for one moment think that street food culture is something new.
During Ancient Roman times, street food was very much in vogue. Food was often fried and bought by Roman citizens and gladiators alike.
We know from records that bread rolls were often stuffed with different fillings. Could this be the origin of cannoli?
It would perhaps seem so. Once a Roman senator had enjoyed his fish stuffed roll with a glass of rough wine, perhaps he fancied something sweet.
This would explain cannoli. You can just imagine Roman bakers making tubes of pastry that could be filled with something sweet at a moment’s notice.
Stop and think about it, and you realise the concept is not very different from our idea of the modern ice cream cone. Of course, back then, there was not such a thing as Italian gelato.
Instead, Roman citizens and other Italians had to make do with a brittle roll filled with hazelnut mousse probably made from cream.
What Does Canolli Taste Like?
Cannoli pastry is both brittle and strong. It is made by wrapping a special pastry dough around a mold. The pastry is then gently molded to shape and fried in very hot oil.
Different fillings are used. In Italy, it appears regular cream or frangipani flavours are popular choices.
The choice of fillings varies a great deal across the world. In Australia, the most popular cannoli fillings are vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut.
Other fillings are available as well.
Getting Creative With Cannoli
Cannoli is one of those pastries that you can get creative with as a baker or patisserie chef.
The pastry is available as a single cake. If you love your cannoli and simply can’t enough of this Italian pastry, you can ask your patisserie to create a Cannoli Tower for you.
We have all heard of profiterole towers, They are great, but cannoli towers look amazing.
If you would like to get extra creative with flavours, why not use a variety of flavours? Start with a cannoli layer of vanilla, next chocolate followed by hazelnut.
This is the perfect flavour combination for a Cannoli Tower.
You don’t really need an excuse to treat yourself to a Cannoli Tower. They are great for celebrations such as birthdays and maybe even wedding cakes when you want a less traditional cake.
They are fantastic cakes when you want to offer your guests something they can just pick up and eat. Although cannoli cakes are slightly messy, they are certainly worth every bite.
When Do Italians Eat Cannoli Cakes?
If you have been to Italy, you probably noticed most Italians stand up to enjoy a snack or a coffee.
When you sit down at a bar or cafe in Italy, you are immediately charged a cover charge. It is a service charge which represents a percentage of your order or a fixed cost. There are no hard and fast rules.
This is why Italians often stand up. Hence, this is probably why smaller pastries such as cannoli are popular in Italy.
When you eat Cannoli cake, there is no need for a knife and fork. You can simply pop it in your mouth directly from the plate.
Cannoli pastries are an Italian favourite. You can see them piled up in window displays.
In supermarkets, you can buy ready-made cannoli to fill yourself. Alternatively, you can buy a range of cannoli which have been filled with anything from ricotta cheese to rum ganache.
In summer, fruit and berry fillings are sometimes added to cannoli. A popular choice in Rome is strawberry. In Northern Italy, you are more likely to come across a rich Blackberry mousse.
The Final Slice
The final slice may not be the appropriate ending – the final morsel is perhaps a better fit.
If you are looking for a sweet treat that fits any occasion, Cannoli is an excellent choice. There is no need for cutlery or even a plate. Eat your Cannoli pastry wrapped in a serviette.
Just make sure that you have a spare serviette to clean your hands after you have licked the filling of your fingers. Brunetti Oro in Melbourne, Australia serves authentic Cannoli pastries and Cannoli Towers. Order online or drop by the Brunetti cafe to experience the finest Italian Cannoli pastry.
