Pizzelles - My Incredible Recipes (2024)

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Pizzelles are light, sweet, and the perfect crunch to an Italian cookie. If you are looking for the perfect pizzelle recipe you just found it. Learn how easy it is to make this holiday anise pizzelle cookie recipe for you and your family. This cookie recipe that does use a pizzelle iron to make the stunning decorated cookies.

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Dust with a little powdered sugar, place on a platter or cookie tin and you have a breathtaking holiday Italian cookie.

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Make sure to check out my classic thumbprint cookies or these shortbread cookie bites. Both are great holiday-friendly desserts as well.

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What Are Pizzelles?

Pizzelles are very thin and light Italian waffle-style cookies. These cookies have a very elegant design as you use a pizzelle iron for creating the cookies.

These cookies are made and served often around the holidays or for special occasions. You will find the process, flavor, and such can vary depending on where you live.

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Reasons To Make These Italian Pizzelles

  • These are delicious anise-flavored cookies. Now, you can always alter the flavor to create a different flavor of the cookie. Vanilla, almond, etc.
  • These are traditional Italian cookie that is light, and delicate and are a holiday tradition in many households.
  • Homemade cookies that are baked from scratch and taste just like grandma used to make.
  • Customize these cookies from design to flavor.
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Ingredients You Will Need

Flour – All-purpose flour is what you will want for the base of these cookies.

Baking Powder – This is needed for the texture of the cookies.

Salt – The salt is so important when you bake. It is going to balance all the flavors in the cookie recipe.

Eggs – Large eggs are what I used. I do recommend that you use room temperature eggs as they will incorporate into the other ingredients better.

Sugar – Granulated sugar is the sweetener of the cookies.

Anise – This is the classic flavor of these cookies. But you can also use other flavors if you want.

Oil – Canola oil or vegetable oil both work for this cookie recipe. You want an oil that is minimal in flavor.

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Tips for Making Pizzelle Cookies

Preheat Iron

Preheat the pizzelle iron so that when you place the batter on the iron it is nice and hot and begins cooking right away. A cold iron can cause the cookies to be overcooked or undercooked.

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Texture of Batter

You want the pizzelle batter to have a thicker texture like a cake batter. If it is too thin the cookies will be too crispy.

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Greasing The Iron

Make sure to use a cooking spray to create a non-stick surface for the cookie batter. I recommend using as it is going to prevent the cookies from sticking in the iron.

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Don’t Add Too Much Batter To the Iron

You will find that if you add too much batter to the iron it will run over like a waffle maker. So make sure to pour in the center of the iron, and do a smaller portion.

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Cooking Time

Depending on the griddle iron will depend on how fast or slow the cookies take to make. Just try to time them right once you find the perfect doneness so they all get a great consistency.

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Cooling Cookies

I recommend using a wire cooling sheet so that it going to allow the cookies to cool on both sides of the cookies. You want them to fully cool before you place them to be stored.

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Practice

Just remember that it does take a bit of time to master the cookies. From the texture of the batter to the cooking time. So just make sure to know the first few might not be perfect but you will catch on quickly.

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Storing

Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before you go to store the cookies. You will want to place the cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature.

I do recommend placing wax paper between each layer of the cookies, as they are fragile.

I have successfully frozen the cookies as well, just place them in a freezer container and freeze them for 2-3 months. Then eat straight from the freezer or thaw on the counter.

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FAQs

How do I prevent pizzelle cookies from sticking to the iron?

To prevent the cookies from sticking, I recommend using a lightly greased iron. Make sure to spray or brush with oil before you add the batter to the iron.

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On what occasions are pizzelle cookies commonly served at?

Christmas celebrations, weddings, Easter feasts, and more family-friendly gatherings. You will find these cookies are great for every single occasion throughout the year.

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Can I shape pizzelle cookies?

While the cookies are still warm you are more than welcome to shape the cookies. You can roll the cookies and fill them with a filling like a cream or whipped cream. Then add items like mini chocolate chips, nuts, etc.

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Can I double the recipe?

Yes, go right ahead and make as many of these cookies as you would like. Just mix and cook as many as you would like. The biggest thing is ensuring the cookies get to cool completely.

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More Tasty Cookie Recipes

I have a few more cookies you might want to check out before you go. I love baking and these cookies will be a hit for parties, events, and even a mid-week sweet tooth fix.

  • Cherry Blossom Cookies
  • Twix Cookies
  • Churro Cookies

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Pizzelles

Course Dessert

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 24 servings

Pizzelles are Italian cookies that are light in texture but also a nice crispy and melt in your mouth flavor. These cookies are great for holidays or a family gatheirng.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 1/3 cup canola oil

Instructions

  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

  • Add the eggs to a large bowl, and beat with a whisk.

  • Mix in the sugar and anise extract.

  • Fold in the dry ingredients until the batter is thick and lumpy.

  • Pour in the canola oil and use a spatula to mix it into the batter until it is smooth.

  • Heat the pizzelle iron, and spray each side with cooking spray. Drop a heaping tablespoon of batter onto the iron, close it, and bake the pizzelle for 35-40 seconds, or as long as the iron manual suggests. You want the pizzelle to be a light golden color.

  • Lay out the cookies flat on a cooling rack, or shape them as desired.

  • Continue baking the pizzelle until all of the cookie batter has been used. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

Did you make this recipe?

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Pizzelles - My Incredible Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why are my pizzelles not crunchy? ›

Pizzelles should be crunchy! They're a thin, light, crispy cookie. If your pizelles are soft, it means they have absorbed moisture from the air or they weren't cooked enough.

Why is my pizzelle batter so thick? ›

Some recipes use baking powder in their batter – this gives a slightly softer, thicker pizzelle.

What is the original flavor of pizzelles? ›

Although Anise (Black licorice) is the “traditional” flavor of the pizzelle, modern options include vanilla, peppermint, anisette, lemon and chocolate but there are countless recipes and flavor combinations for this humble Italian cookie.

Why are my pizzelles sticking to the iron? ›

A: Did you coat the pizzele maker with oil before starting to make a batch? That's the first thing you must do each time. Put a little oil on it, wipe up the excess and heat it up!

How can I crisp up my pizzelles? ›

If you have access to an oven, preheat it to 300 degrees. Stack the cookies on a sheet pan and place in the oven, then turn the oven off. Let cookies remain in warm oven for an hour or longer to dry out. This should help return some of the crispiness to the pizzelles.

Is butter or margarine better for pizzelles? ›

As far as the fat used in pizzelle, some recipes will call for oil, others margarine, lard or Crisco. But having tried other fats, I always return to unsalted butter. They crisp up nicely, don't have an oily aftertaste, and cook to perfection in their special pizzelle press.

Should I spray my pizzelle maker? ›

Oil - it could very well be that modern pizzelle makers are so "nonstick" that you do not need to use any cooking spray. Am noting here that when you research recipes, you may encounter a debate about whether or not to use oil or butter. For years our family uses a light spray of cooking oil as needed - it's just fine.

What does pizzelle mean in italian? ›

A Crispy History

Pizzelles, the oldest known waffle cookies, originated in Italy. The name pizzelle is based on the Italian word 'pizze' meaning round and flat, with the ending 'elle' referring to its small size.

Do you have to grease a pizzelle iron? ›

You'll need to grease your uncoated pizzelle iron before getting the batter on there, and since we suggest using shortening or vegetable oil for best results, we always have a pastry brush on hand to get every little nook and cranny well coated.

How do Italians eat pizzelles? ›

It is also common to sandwich two pizzelle with cannoli cream (ricotta blended with sugar) or hazelnut spread. Pizzelle, while still warm, can also be rolled into a tubular shape using a wooden dowel to create cannoli shells.

Who makes the best pizzelles? ›

Our Top Pick: CucinaPro Pizzelle Baker

This CucinaPro delivers standout features, including a nonstick surface that helps the cookies to lift from the grid with ease and extra-thick baking plates for even heat distribution. For the pizzelle traditionalist, it's also available in a polished stainless steel interior.

Can you use Pam on a pizzelle maker? ›

Pizzelle Sticking: If your pizzelle iron is stainless steel, you will want to spray it lightly with Pam (or whatever oil spray you prefer) before you start.

What is the best way to store Pizzelle cookies? ›

The best way to keep pizzelle cookies nice and crisp is to make sure they are cooled completely before storing or stacking. They're best stored wrapped in aluminum foil but you can also use plastic bags, containers, or cookie tins once cooled.

What can I use instead of a pizzelle iron? ›

These oven-baked pizzelles are just as tasty as traditional pizzelles and you only need a cookie press and oven to make them. Serve with our pizzelle recipe and our pizzelle cannolis.

Why are my cookies soft instead of crunchy? ›

Soft cookies have a water concentration of 6% or higher – moisture being the variable in texture. To make cookies crispy, add less liquid or bake it in the oven for longer to dry out the dough.

Why are my cookies chewy and not crunchy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Why aren t my cookies crinkling? ›

The signature crinkle effect happens when the cookies spread and crack as they bake. If your cookies aren't crinkling, it might be because the dough is too warm (try chilling it for longer before baking), or the oven temperature might be too low (ensure your oven is correctly preheated).

Why did my cookies come out flat and crunchy? ›

Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour. Baking soda helps cookies spread outward and upward while cooking.

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