Crispy cannoli shells filled with sweet ricotta cream are a beloved Italian-American family dessert tradition. These iconic pastries deliver a perfect crunch-to-cream ratio in every bite.
Combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Cut in the unsalted butter until the mixture is sandy.
Mix in the egg and white wine gradually to form a stiff dough. Knead until smooth, cover, and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough thin (about 1/16 inch) on a floured surface. Cut into 4-inch circles and wrap around metal cannoli tubes, sealing the edge with a bit of egg white.
Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep pot. Fry the wrapped shells in batches for 2–3 minutes each, turning occasionally for even browning, until deep golden and crisp.
Drain shells on a rack and cool completely; carefully slide off the tubes. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips until creamy.
Spoon the ricotta cream filling into a pastry bag and fill the cooled shells just before serving for best crunch. Optionally, dust with additional powdered sugar.