Cannoli Filling

From mom. We almost never make actual cannolis with it, though (too much trouble to make or buy the shells.) It's good served dip-style with broken up waffle ice cream cones. My dad likes it on waffles for breakfast. My mom uses it as a filling for her 'Chocolate Cherry Cannoli Cake.' Cooking time is for soaking the nuts.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  lb ricotta cheese
• 3⁄4 cup powdered sugar
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup  miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄4-1⁄3 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  orange extract
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  lemon extract
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons sherry wine (or any dry white wine)
•  orange zest (optional)
•  lemon zest (optional)

Directions

1. Soak pecans in extracts, vanilla, and sherry (may add lemon and orange zest).
2. Mix all ingredients together.