Phyllo Dough Cannoli with Red Fruit Meringue

Phyllo dough cannoli with red fruit meringue are a tasty and refined variant of the classic Sicilian sweet. This interpretation sees them made with fragrant phyllo dough sheets and a sweet and light red fruit meringue filling. Here’s how to proceed.

Ingredients

• 4 sheets of phyllo dough
• Melted butter, as needed
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the red fruit meringue:

• 150 g of red fruits (raspberries, strawberries, red currants, etc.)
• 3 egg whites
• 150 g of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C (356 °F). Take the phyllo dough sheets and brush them with melted butter, folding them in half. Wrap each sheet around metal or aluminum cylinders (like cannoli forms) and dust them with a little powdered sugar.
2. Place the cylinders on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the dough is golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and let cool before gently removing the cylinders from the dough.
3. For the red fruit meringue, begin by briefly blending the red fruits to get a mixture that’s not completely smooth but still has chunks.
4. Whip the egg whites until stiff, gradually adding the granulated sugar and lemon juice until you get a glossy and firm meringue.
5. Gently fold the red fruit mixture into the meringue, mixing with a spatula from the bottom up to avoid deflating the mixture.
6. Fill a pastry bag with the red fruit meringue and stuff the cooled phyllo dough shells.
7. Serve the cannoli dusted with powdered sugar, and if you like, you can decorate them with additional fresh red fruits.

Curiosity

Cannoli are a symbol of Sicilian pastry, traditionally filled with sweetened ricotta and enriched with chocolate drops or candied fruit. This version with phyllo dough and red fruit meringue is a free reinterpretation that brings lightness and a touch of freshness thanks to the fruit. The ingredients can vary depending on the available seasonal fruits, allowing to play with different flavors and colors depending on the time of the year.