The other day, I was randomly craving cake batter and so I wanted to make a fun, summery sort of dip featuring this flavor. Cannoli is another big fav of mine. I love that creamy filling and crunchy exterior. This Cake Batter Cannoli Dip is like a mash up of these two flavors and textures. You’ve got that creamy filling, those birthday cake vibes with the sprinkles in there, the white chocolate chips, and then those crunchy waffle cone pieces for dipping. This recipe was so fun! It was so easy too. My boys absolutely loved this, and it took no time at all to throw together. This would be perfect for a party, potluck, or just a fun snack for the kids!

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So, when did the cake batter craze start up?

In the early 2000s, cake batter became its own iconic flavor thanks to dessert shops, home bakers, and brands like Cold Stone Creamery and Duncan Hines. Cake batter ice creams, dips, and milkshakes started to appear all over the world, showcasing that cake flavoring was not just for cakes!

By 2010 and through 2020, birthday-cake flavor really started to pop off, which is basically a cousin to the cake batter flavor. From Oreos to vodka to protein bars, the cake batter-adjacent flavor was a huge hit! It was nostalgic, it was a “party in a bite,” it was covered in sprinkles – and everybody loved it!

Did you know?

Cannoli date back to Arab rule in 9th century Sicily, where women invented these as a symbolic and playful sweet treat! At this time, these featured ricotta, pistachios, cinnamon, and candied fruit.

Historically, cannoli were made for carnival season and exchanged in a sort of flirtatious manner. Men would give these to women as a token of desire. Pretty interesting, right?

What ingredients do I need to make this?

For the cake batter cannoli dip:

Funfetti Cake Mix
Cream Cheese
Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
Vanilla Extract
Almond Extract
Powdered Sugar
Whipped Cream
Rainbow Sprinkles
White Chocolate Chips

For serving:

Rainbow Sprinkles
White Chocolate Chips
Waffle Cones
Pretzels

What equipment do I need?

How do I make it?

To prep the cake batter:

To get started on this recipe, first preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften.

Next, spread the Funfetti cake mix out on the baking sheet and bake it for a few minutes.

Funfetti cake mix spread out onto a baking sheet to be heat-treated

Using a thermometer, temp it, making sure it’s at least 165 F. Set aside to cool completely.

Pro Tip: The reason that we have to heat-treat the cake mix is because raw flour can contain harmful bacteria. Cake mix can also contain raw powdered eggs, and so heat-treating it is essential in things like cold dips and other no bake recipes.

To make the cake batter cannoli dip:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Next, add the ricotta, vanilla extract, almond extract, cooled Funfetti cake mix, and powdered sugar.

Cream cheese, ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and Funfetti cake mix in a large mixing bowl.

Beat until smooth.

Fold in the whipped cream, white chocolate chips, and rainbow sprinkles, using a rubber spatula to stir until combined.

A cake batter cannoli inspired dip coming together with some freshly added whipped cream, white chocolate chips, and rainbow sprinkles

Cover and refrigerate for a while to chill and marry those flavors.

To serve:

Spoon the cake batter cannoli dip into a serving dish, then top with more rainbow sprinkles and white chocolate chips.

Cake Batter Cannoli dip in a bowl with some crushed waffle cones and pretzels scattered around

Serve with shattered waffle cones, pretzels, fruit, and whatever else you like. Enjoy!

A chilled dessert dip perfect for a potluck!

Cake batter cannoli dip served chilled with some shattered waffle cones and pretzels

Tips:

If your ricotta cheese is watery, strain it through a fine mesh sieve before adding it to the mixing bowl. Without this step, the dip could turn out runny!
If you’d like the chocolate chips to be more incorporated into each bite, consider using mini chocolate chips. You could also chop up a white chocolate chunk bar if you want larger pieces.
This cake batter cannoli dip will keep for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is not freezer friendly.
If making this for a party, it can be made about 4 hours ahead of time. This keeps it SUPER fresh.

Looking for more easy desserts perfect for a potluck?

Digging the cake vibes?

Cake Batter Cannoli Dip

The Wholesome Spoon

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Chill Time 30

Course Dessert, Dips, Snack

Cuisine American, Italian-American

Servings

Calories 330 kcal

Equipment