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Easy Cannoli Cake topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, mini chocolate chips, powdered sugar, and chopped pistachios, served as an easy semi-homemade dessert.

Cannoli Cake

This Easy Cannoli Cake is the ultimate semi-homemade dessert! Made with a boxed cake mix, instant pudding, mini chocolate chips, and a simple vanilla glaze, it has all the sweet flavors of a classic cannoli without any of the extra work. It's perfect for potlucks, holidays, birthdays, or anytime you need an easy dessert everyone will rave about.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course 4th of July, Cake, Christmas, Crowd Pleasers, Dessert, Gameday Recipes, Holiday, Thanksgiving
Cuisine American, Italian, Southern Comfort Food
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • 1 bundt pan (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 box instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 package mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup melted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can vanilla frosting
  • 2 tablespoon milk of your choice (I use whole milk)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a bundt pan or a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, and half of the mini chocolate chips. Stir together until well combined. Coating the chocolate chips in the dry ingredients helps keep them evenly distributed throughout the cake.
  • Add the beaten eggs, melted butter, water, and almond extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or according to the package directions for your pan size. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze. Stir together the can of vanilla frosting and milk until smooth and pourable
  • Allow the cake to cool completely. Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled cake and sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips over the top.
  • Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. This cake is even better after it's been chilled for a few hours.

Notes

  • Mixing the chocolate chips with the dry ingredients first helps prevent them from sinking or melting into large chocolate pockets while baking.
  • Almond extract gives this cake that classic cannoli-inspired flavor. A little goes a long way.
  • Be sure the cake has cooled completely before adding the glaze so it stays smooth instead of soaking into the cake.
  • This dessert tastes even better after a few hours in the refrigerator, making it a great make-ahead option for parties and holidays.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keyword birthday cake recipe, cake mix dessert, chocolate chip cake, easy cannoli cake, make ahead dessert, semi homemade dessert