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Pizzelle Cookies Recipe
5 from 51 votes

Pizzelle Cookies Recipe

Pizzelle Cookies are classic Italian wafer cookies made from a dough of eggs, sugar, flour, butter, and vanilla or anise extract. They bake quickly in a special pizzelle iron to form a thin, crisp cookie with delicate, lacy patterns. Once cooled, these cookies can be left flat or shaped into cones or cylinders while warm. They offer a crisp texture and subtle sweetness that makes them suitable for gifting or enjoying with coffee or tea.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Servings: 54 -62 cookies
Calories: 79 kcal
Course: Dessert, Baked Goods
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 6 large egg room temperature, if you forgot, simply submerge eggs in a bowl of warm, not hot water for 5-7 minutes
  • 1 ½ cups sugar I use all-natural cane sugar, but white sugar may be used
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder reduce to 3 teaspoons for high-altitude
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted, I use organic unbleached all-purpose flour (add 2 tablespoons for high altitude)
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 1 cup butter melted and cooled slightly (2 sticks)
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract or use anise extract, if using anise use 1 teaspoon anise extract and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the best flavor
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer beat eggs until light and fluffy on medium-high speed, gradually add sugar mixing until creamy. Slowly drizzle in cooled melted butter and then the vanilla or anise extract.
  2. Sift flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt and mix on low speed until combined.
  3. Heat up a pizzelle waffle iron and if necessary, spray with a little oil or rub with butter if not non-stick.
  4. Using two teaspoons spoon about a tablespoon of dough onto the pizzelle iron just off-center towards the back of the iron, close and cook for about 1 minute. Typically, when it stops steaming, they are done. Use a fork to lift them out onto a cooling rack. Cool them flat or curve around a shape if desired, but classic Italian pizzelle cookies are flat. Once cooled completely, sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar.
  5. This recipe easily halves for fewer cookies! Use the slider on the recipe card. Pizzelle butter cookies make great food gifts for neighbors, co-workers and friends.

Notes

  • Store cooled pizzelle cookies in a cookie tin or wrapped in foil to keep them crisp for weeks; avoid refrigeration to prevent moisture buildup.
  • For longer storage, wrap six cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container for up to three months.
  • If pizzelles soften after freezing, re-crisp them by baking on a cookie sheet at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes.
  • The dough can be prepared up to three days ahead and refrigerated; allow it to reach room temperature before baking.
  • Experiment with flavor additions like lemon zest, cocoa powder, or alternate extracts such as almond or anise for variety.
  • For shaped pizzelles, roll warm cookies around a dowel or glass to form cones or cylinders while still pliable.
  • Dip cooled pizzelles in melted chocolate and let set for an elegant touch, optionally adding nuts or sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cookie Calories 79kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g (1%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 26mg (9%) Sodium 58mg (2%) Potassium 16mg (0%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 118IU (2%) Calcium 20mg (2%) Iron 0.4mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 54 -62 cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 79

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 79kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Sodium 58mg 2%
Potassium 16mg 0%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 118IU 2%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 0.4mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.