These Italian Pizzelle Cookies are crispy, light and elegant cookie that will delight your family and guests. This old world crispy cookie is the perfect treat that’s straight from my grandma’s recipe box.
This cookie is one of the oldest cookies known to exist.
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More About Italian Pizzelle Cookies
The pizzelle cookie is a Light, crispy Italian waffle cookies, traditionally flavored with anise. The pizzelle is a classic, traditional favorite around Christmas and Easter time. You will also see them grace tables and anniversaries and weddings.
Why This Best Pizzelle Recipe is a Keeper and What does Pizzelle Mean?
These are the perfect cookie for people who do not like things too sweet. They are low in calorie and very crispy. It means flat and round in Italian which describes this cookie perfectly. This is my grandma’s recipe for Pizzelle. I’m so glad I learned how to make these as a little girl.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry.
- Family Friendly: Making these cookie will be a tradition that you can pass down generation after generation.
- Adaptable: You do not even need an oven to make these tasty treats.
If you’re looking for more cookie inspired recipes, try these Lemon White Chocolate Cookies, and Kolacky {Polish Kolaczki Cookies).
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Can I make Pizzelle without a pizzelle iron or pizzelle maker to make these cookies?
While having the pizzelle maker can make the job of creating these cookies quick and easy. However, you can use a waffle maker or a make them free form in a frying pan if you wish.
Ingredient to Make Pizzelle
- Flour: Basic all purpose flour is perfect for this recipe.
- Eggs: Large eggs are the standard used for baking.
- Anise Extract: This extract is the star of the show. It has a distinct licorice flavor.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Family Recipe for Waffle Cookies
- Chocolate: You can make chocolate pizzelles by adding some chocolate extract or cocoa powder to the recipe.
- Different Extract: While the recipe calls for anise (licorice flavor) you can try vanilla extract or almond extract for these Italian Cookies.
Special Equipment Needed
Traditionally a pizzelle iron would be used. However a pizzelle maker or even a waffle maker can be used to make this crispy italian cookie.
- Pizzelle Maker: This will make these classic Christmas cookies easy to make. It’s like a waffle iron.
- Waffle Maker: If you have one of these, it will also work for the cookies.
How to Make this Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe
These are the basic steps for making the best pizzelle recipe. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Sift
First, sift together the flour and baking powder. Set aside. Next, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until completely combined. Stir in the melted butter and anise until combined.
STEP 2: Make the Batter
Then with the mixer running, slowly add the flour mixture until just combined. Next, preheat the pizzelle iron (or other devise used to make the cookie) and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP 3: Drop and Cook
Then drop slightly rounded tablespoons of batter on to each circle of the pizzelle iron, close and cook. Next, bake for 25-35 seconds, or until the cookies are golden brown. Next, carefully remove the hot cookies from the Pizzelle iron and allow to cool on a wire rack.
STEP 4: Repeat
Finally, repeat with remaining batter. Cool completely on a cooling rack, dust with confectioner’s powdered sugar (if desired) and store in an airtight container. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container.
Recipe FAQs for Italian Pizzelle Cookies
Expert Tips for Making This Pizzelle Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: Because this is a great recipe for the holidays, you can double or even triple this classic pizzelle. You will love this recipe.
- Use: Truly these light and crispy cookies are wonderful to form into cannoli shells or ice cream cones.
- Short cut tip: Be sure to preheat your waffle iron or pizzelle press first.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add as many tips as you need in this section
- Cooled Pizzelle: For the very best results, chill your dough first.
- Cookie Scoop: Use a cookie scoop to create uniform sized cookies.
- Extracts: Use vanilla or anise oil for these classic waffle cookies.
Italian Pizzelle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 3 Eggs
- ¾ cups Sugar
- ½ cup Melted butter
- 1 tablespoon Anise
Instructions
- Sift together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until completely combined.
- Stir in the butter and anise until combined.
- With the mixer running, slowly add the flour mixture until just combined.
- Preheat the pizzelle iron and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Drop slightly rounded tablespoons of batter on to each circle of the pizzelle iron and close.
- Bake for 25-35 seconds, or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Carefully remove the hot cookies from the Pizzelle iron and allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Repeat with remaining batter.
- Cool completely, dust with confectioner’s sugar (if desired) and store in an airtight container.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
These are beautiful and delicious and the smell when they are cooking is amazing! Great recipe!!!!