Pizzelle

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 07/4/21
Pizzelle

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
198 Calories
9g Fat
26g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 198
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 71mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 39mg 3%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 50mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Pizzelle are traditional Italian waffle cookies that are thin, delicate, and flavored with either anise, lemon, vanilla, or almond. The cookie batter is cooked in a pizzelle iron that is like a small waffle iron. The irons can be placed directly on the stovetop or electric versions are also available. They typically have a snowflake or flower pattern on both sides and produce thin golden brown wafers that turn crisp once cooled. 

The first pizzelle cookies were made in the region of Abruzzo in Central Italy back in the 8th century. Some irons were embossed with family initials or other patterns to make them individual to each family. Today, pizzelle cookies are still popular at Christmas and Easter and are sometimes given as wedding or shower gifts. Pizzelle are standout cookies at bake sales or cookie swaps because they are so different and beautiful, especially when piled up in a bag with a bow.

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Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon anise seeds

  • 1 teaspoon anise extract

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the pizzelle maker according to the manufacturer’s directions.

    Pizzelle ingredients
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

    Dry ingredients in a bowl
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. In another bowl, beat the eggs and sugar on medium speed until thick and light, about 4 minutes. 

    Eggs and sugar in a bowl
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Mix in the anise seeds and anise extract. 

    Anise seeds and extract
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Beat in the melted butter.

    Melted butter and batter
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. Stir in the dry ingredients until just blended, about 1 minute. 

    Dry ingredients and batter
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  7. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the batter in the center of each pizzelle mold. Close the cover and bake until lightly golden. This will take about 90 seconds depending on your maker and preference for browning.  

    Pizzelle maker and batter
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  8. When the pizzelle are ready, slide off the mold with a spatula.

    Cooling Pizzelle cookies
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  9. If a classic flat pizzelle cookie is desired, cool on a wire rack. 

    Pizzelle
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  10. When they are freshly made, pizzelle are pliable and can be molded into various forms. Shape warm pizzelle over a small custard dish to create edible bowls. Once cool, coat the inside of the pizzelle bowl with melted chocolate and use to serve ice cream, custard, or fruit. Roll warm pizzelle cookies over a wooden spoon to create a “taco shell” shape. Serve with scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, custard, fruit, sprinkles, or other candy toppings to make sweet dessert taco treats. 

    If you wish to shape your pizzelle, remove the cooked pizzelle from the maker and shape it immediately while still warm. The other pizzelle will remain warm and pliable on the maker until you are ready to remove it for shaping. While shaping pizzelles, use an oven mitt. They are quite hot. 

    Shaped Pizzelle cookies
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Tip

  • When the pizzelle are cool and crisp, store in an airtight container. Pizzelle can also be frozen when cooled and plastic-wrapped in groups of six and placed in airtight containers for up to three months.

Recipe Variations

Although anise-flavored pizzelle cookies are traditional, this basic recipe can be prepared in several variations. Instead of the anise extract and anise seeds, try these mix-ins.

  • Plain pizzelle: 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Almond pizzelle: 1 tablespoon almond extract or 2 tablespoons Amaretto
  • Citrus pizzelle: 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange or lemon zest
  • Chocolate pizzelle: 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to the flour mixture, and an additional 3 tablespoons sugar

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