Step 1: Preparing the Cannoli Filling Base

Start by ensuring your cream cheese is at room temperature. This is important because soft cream cheese blends more smoothly than cold cream cheese, creating a silky, lump-free filling.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire 8oz package of softened cream cheese with the 4 cups of butterscotch pudding. The pudding provides the creamy butterscotch flavor and a smooth texture to complement the tang of the cream cheese.

Using an electric mixer or a sturdy whisk, beat the cream cheese and pudding together until fully incorporated and smooth. The mixture should become creamy and uniform, making a luscious base for the cannoli filling.

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Step 2: Adding Flavor and Sweetness

Next, sift in the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to sweeten the mixture evenly. Powdered sugar blends well without grittiness, ensuring the filling stays velvety.

Add the 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to introduce a subtle warm spice note which perfectly complements butterscotch’s caramel tones.

Pour in the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, enhancing the overall flavor depth of the filling. Vanilla is essential for rounding out sweetness and lifting the richness of the cream cheese mixture.

With the electric mixer or whisk, blend all ingredients thoroughly, making sure the sugar dissolves and the spices are evenly dispersed.

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Step 3: Incorporate Butterscotch Chips and Toffee Bits

To bring texture and extra bursts of sweetness, fold in the 1/2 cup of butterscotch chips and 1/2 cup of toffee bits.

Gently stir these mix-ins with a spatula or large spoon so the chips and toffee are evenly distributed throughout the filling.

These additions provide delightful crunch and concentrated spots of butterscotch flavor, contrasting the smooth, creamy filling.

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Step 4: Preparing to Fill the Cannoli Shells

For ease and neatness, transfer your filling into a disposable piping bag fitted with a large plain tip. If you don’t have a piping bag, a sturdy plastic bag with a small snip at one corner can also work.

Filling the piping bag ensures you can fill each shell quickly and cleanly, avoiding messy spooning.

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Step 5: Filling the Cannoli Shells

Take one large cannoli shell and gently insert the tip of the piping bag into one open end. Squeeze gently but firmly to start filling the shell.

Fill halfway through the shell from this end, actually squeezing enough filling so that it bulges slightly from the sides of the shell’s opening. This ensures both ends of the shell get filled with the creamy mixture when finished.

Repeat this process for all 10 shells, filling evenly with the butterscotch cream cheese mixture.

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Step 6: Adding the Final Touch

Once all shells are filled, you may choose to dip or roll the ends in additional butterscotch chips or toffee bits to enhance their appearance and add a bit more crunch.

Finally, lightly dust the filled cannoli shells with powdered sugar. A gentle sprinkle is all that’s needed to give them a bakery-quality finish without covering the enticing butterscotch chips or toffee bits visible on the ends.