Somewhere between a sandy Florida afternoon and a growling stomach, I bit into a cannoli that was still crackling because the shell had been filled seconds earlier. That crisp snap followed by cold, sweet ricotta is the whole point, and once you taste it you can never go back to the soggy pre-filled version.
All across Florida there are little bakeries where the person behind the counter grabs a piping bag the moment you order. Here are nine spots worth the drive when you want your cannoli made the right way.
1. Mama Cannoli, South Daytona
The name says it all, and this South Daytona shop backs it up with more than ten different cannoli flavors ready to be piped the second you decide. Classic sweet ricotta shares the case with chocolate cream and cherry cream, so indecisive folks get to agonize happily.
Shells here stay in the case empty and crisp until your order comes in, which is exactly why the crunch holds up. Alongside the cannoli you will find Italian pastries, cookies, and coffee, plus a clever Cannoli Kit for filling your own at home…