N.J.'s 5 Best Cannolis

With so many options available, finding a truly deliciously rich cannoli can be tricky. New Jersey has some of the finest authentic Italian pastry shops in the country. Here are the 5 best cannolis in the Garden State.  By Emily Tamburri.

Calandra's Bakery

244 US Highway 46
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 227-5008
calandrasbakery.com/home.html

Calandra's cannolis are famous for the shells. Their traditional pastry shells are flakey and not too dense, perfectly complimented by the creamy filling dotted with chocolate chips. Calandra's also offers chocolate shell cannolis, where, before filling, each traditional vanilla shell is dipped in melted dark chocolate—adding the perfect amount of richness to this pastry.

Il Dolce

674 Lafayette Ave
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
(973) 427-8649
ildolcepastryshop.com/

Available in large and mini sizes, these cannolis are filled to order, setting the bar for freshness in the pastry world. The crispy shell on the outside maintains its form and texture, without getting soggy from the ricotta filling, as often found in cannolis of a lesser quality. The filling is perfectly balanced between the tartness of the whipped ricotta and sugar, making it a bit milder and sweeter than the traditional filling.

Lyndhurst Pastry Shop

256 Ridge Rd
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
(201) 939-3951
lyndhurstpastryshop.com

Mini and large cannolis line the cases of this pastry shop, and are probably the most highly requested item by the customers at Lyndhurst Pastry Shop Beautifully filled and decorated, the Lyndhurst Pastry Shop cannolis aim to be a notch above the rest, offering a satisfying, authentic Italian treat made with the highest quality and freshest ingredients that are made fresh daily.

Gencarelli's Bakery

446 North Broad St
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 743-1480
gencarellisbakery.com

The cannolis and cannoli filling has won over the hearts of so many in the area that Gencarelli's has begun to add it to their cakes, cream puffs and other pastries. The cannolis themselves are not overpoweringly sweet or heavy, and are the perfect size for a snack or after dinner treat. A tip: Pick up a box of these for your holiday parties, as they're sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Cipolli Cannoli

1150 S Atlantic Ave
Collingswood, NJ 08108
(856) 858-3510

With a name like Cipolli Cannoli, you know this place has to be good. The goods are made from pure sugar and spice - no fillers or preservatives, and you can taste the difference. Not to mention, the crunchy shells come stuffed with cream. Try a seasonal flavor like pumpkin spice. Bonus: They sell kits to make your own homemade cannolis.

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