Pizzelle Recipe

This pizzelle recipe is flat crispy vanilla flavored cookies that are baked in an iron, then finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. A classic Italian dessert that’s perfect for parties and gift giving!

I love to give homemade goodies as gifts, especially during the holiday season. Some of my favorite treats to give out include reindeer chow, chocolate covered pretzels and these impressive looking pizzelle cookies.

When I’m looking for a unique and unexpected dessert, I turn to pizzelle cookies. They’re light and crispy, full of flavor, and also happen to be super easy to make. Serve your pizzelles as-is, or mold them into cup or cone shapes to serve with ice cream and berries.

What is a pizzelle?

A pizzelle is an Italian cookie that is like a crispy, flat and sweet waffle. Pizzelles are made by cooking batter in a pizzelle iron (similar to a waffle iron). Pizzelles cook up flat with a pattern or design appearing in raised ridges on the cookie. They are traditionally enjoyed at parties such as weddings and on holidays such as Easter and Christmas. These cookies also can be shaped into cups, cones or even rolled and stuffed with a sweet filling.

How do you make pizzelle cookies?

Making pizzelle cookies is a lot like making waffles; just make a batter and cook it on a pizzelle iron. To make the batter, whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, melted butter and vanilla. Sift in flour and baking powder. Mix the batter until it is smooth. Brush a thin coating of vegetable oil on your pizzelle iron and heat up the iron. Pour a tablespoon of batter at the center of each pizzelle pattern on the pizzelle iron and close the lid. In about 30 seconds the  pizzelles will be cooked, golden and ready to remove. Let the cookies cool and harden on a flat surface and they are ready to serve with a little powdered sugar on top!

Tips for the perfect cookies

• If your cookies are coming out uneven, try adding the batter slightly to the back (hinged side) of the center pizzelle pattern. Closing the lid will push the batter forward.
• Use a wooden skewer to remove the cookies from the iron. The iron will be hot, so be careful.
• A good way to know that your cookie is just about finished is that steam will stop coming out of the iron.
• You can use a pizzelle iron or certain waffle irons or sandwich makers that come with detachable pizzelle plates.
• You can use different extracts to flavor your cookies. Try using a teaspoon of almond, lemon, orange or anise extract instead of the vanilla.
• If you want a perfectly round cookie, you can try adding a little more batter so that the batter spreads outside of the pizzelle patterns. When the cookies are cooked and cool enough to handle, just trim off any excess with kitchen shears.

How long do pizzelles stay fresh?

In an airtight container, these cookies last 2 weeks. Make sure the container is airtight to avoid moisture which can make the cookies limp or soft.

Can you freeze pizzelles?

You can freeze pizzelles in an airtight container. These cookies stay fresh in the freezer for 3 months. When you are ready to eat them, just thaw them in an airtight container on a countertop. If you’re planning to freeze your cookies, add the powdered sugar after the cookies have thawed.

Pizzelle cookies are crispy, golden and so very delicious. They are holiday treats that are good enough to make year round!

More cookie recipes you’ll enjoy

• S’mores Cookies
• Monster Cookies
• Eggnog Cookies
• Nutella Cookies
• Cake Mix Cookies

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5 from 10 votes

Pizzelle

This pizzelle recipe is flat crispy vanilla flavored cookies that are baked in an iron, then finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. A classic Italian dessert that's perfect for parties and gift giving!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Keyword italian cookies, Pizzelle, Pizzelle Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 18

Calories 191kcal

Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup butter melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions

• Whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, melted butter and vanilla until smooth.
• Use a sifter to add the flour and baking powder to the batter. Mix the batter until it is smooth and there are no lumps.
• Brush a pizzelle iron with oil until lightly coated. Make sure to brush the top and bottom plates of the pizzelle iron.
• Place about a tablespoon of batter at the center of each pizzelle pattern in the pizzelle iron and close the lid.
• Let the batter cook for around 30 seconds and lift the lid. The pizzelle should be cooked through and golden.
• Every pizzelle iron is different. You can adjust the amount of batter or cooking time to make your perfect pizzelle.
• When each pizzelle is cooked, carefully remove it from the pizzelle maker and lay it on a flat surface to cool and harden.
• Sift powdered sugar over the pizzelles just before serving them.

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 289IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg