This easy to make traditional cannoli filling recipe makes a delicious dessert and you can use it several ways. From stuffing it inside of cannoli shells, enjoying it with graham crackers, on a fresh pastry…or even eat it right off of the spoon! Traditional cannoli consist of crisp, fried pastry shells filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta-based filling, often flavored with citrus zest, vanilla, or cinnamon.