I wanted to share the “research” I did when I learned that the November Daring Bakers Challenge would be cannoli. After reading through the instructions I decided I needed to try cannoli to fully appreciate making them. So Lily and I trekked first to Remo Borrachinni’s Bakery on Rainier Ave. Remo’s is an Italian Bakery/Grocery that is all about family. When I walked in on a Saturday mid-morning a group of friends were sitting at a long table near the front, like they had been there for hours. The bakery was busy, where customers picked up their sheet cakes. Borrachinni’s is known for the great sheet cakes at reasonable prices.

I eyed the cannoli in the display case and immediately knew this wasn’t going to be the best cannoli ever. Simply because there was a sheet of cannoli, already filled with ricotta filling. Which, if we read the previous blog post, means that the crisp shell probably would not be crisp. I insisted on tasting, however, because I was there and it seemed I would have really failed if I didn’t at least try one.

It was still pretty good, but I was fairly certain not how it should truly taste. The filling was sweet, with little bits of candied fruit mixed in. The maraschino cherry was not necessary, in my opinion. The size of the cannoli was small, closer the the size of the ones that I ended up making, and that was a plus. The dessert can be so rich that you don’t really need a large one to be satisfied. All in all, for the price, at around $2, the cannoli was decent. Not the greatest. I probably wouldn’t order it again from here. I wouldn’t mind going back to the bakery itself, however. It’s traditional and a Seattle favorite.

Rather than return home I opted to try one more place. Whereas Borrachini’s isn’t exactly known for its cannoli (they don’t even mention on their Web site that they offer them), DeLaurenti’s is known for it’s gourmet Italian goodies. Located in the Pike Place Market, it was filled with tourists looking for gifts to take home, as well as locals who know where to get a good sandwich, espresso or dessert. I had high hopes for a tasty cannoli there. I was not disappointed. I ordered one for around $4 and when the clerk mentioned it would be a few minutes, I knew I was in the right place. I saw the women behind the counter take out the pieces to assemble the cannoli on the spot. The dessert was big compared to what I saw at Borrachinni’s, filled with the richest, creamiest ricotta filling. A couple of small slices of candied orange garnished the top, alongside some more filling, and perfect little chocolate shavings completed the package. The taste was exactly how I imagined it should be. It was an impressive sight.

With that inspiration in mind, I set out to make my own cannoli a few weeks later, and you know the rest.

Yum.