The thinnest, lightest, near well-baked pizzelle recipe ever!  They're just as calorie-free equally air, & this recipe is truly authentic, with plenty of sugariness anise flavor.

One of my absolute favorite cookie recipes! I brand these authentic Italian pizzelle every yr for the holidays. They're totally unique in their flavor and texture, simply simply like pecan sandies, soft cut-out saccharide cookies, and spritz cookies, they're delicate as can be and and then delicious with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa!

Overhead image of pizzelle on a wire cooling rack with whole anise seeds and powdered sugar.

*This pizzelle recipe originally published on December 12, 2022. I thought it was about time it was updated. So, I've added a video and answers to some frequently asked questions. Hopefully, you lot'll enjoy this pizzelle recipe as much equally my family and I do!*

Back when I originally published this recipe (and still to this twenty-four hour period), these pizzelle held a really special place in my heart, and I kinda waxed poetic nigh them. Now hither I am, 3 years later on, wanting to bring the post a little more up to engagement.

I know that when information technology comes to food blogs, a lot of people get pretty bellyaching about having to read whatsoever kind of personal anything virtually a recipe. I certainly have had my share of comments to this upshot.

But I just tin can't behave to delete this. Information technology reminds me of everything I love near blistering and what it means to me and so many others. At this time of year, when things can exist so hectic and overwhelming, I demand these kinds of reminders, to help me slow downwards and remember what's most important.

So I'm leaving it in! I hope you'll read information technology and relate to it on some level. I know that a lot of readers before you already have, based on the feedback I received back when I originally shared it 3 years ago.

But if you're in a hurry or you simply don't actually have an interest, that's fine too! I know yous'll love the recipe, fifty-fifty if y'all don't know the whole back story. You can skip right ahead to information technology by clicking here: leap to the recipe.

Go along in mind that I am adding some useful info right after the "story." And so if yous take any specific questions on this pizzelle recipe, you'll probably observe your answers to a higher place the recipe card, towards the terminate of the postal service.

Enjoy!

Perfect pizzelle recipe, prepared and arranged on a wire rack, with a text overlay above that reads "Thin & Crisp Pizzelle Cookies."

Pizzelles.  Pizzelles, human.

I never thought I'd do this.  This recipe is so incredibly close to my heart.  I take and then many memories attached to these unproblematic Italian cookies.

Remember when I shared that chocolate orange panettone recipe terminal week?  And I told you all about my dad's family, and my years working in an Italian catering kitchen?  Pizzelles were with me through all of that.

Even though my grandad didn't really pass down much from his culture, I practice have vague memories of being at huge family gatherings with his siblings.  He was ane of 11 children.  My neat-grandparents, Calogero and Caterina, had a baby every other twelvemonth for 22 years.  Can yous imagine?

I call up two great-aunts in detail.  Aunt Antoinette and Aunt Josephine.  I possibly but saw them a couple of times in my life, but they had on those printed aprons, and the sensible shoes, and they stood in front of huge vats of bubbles red sauce.  At that place were stacks and stacks of pizzelle, spread out on a folding table covered with a vinyl tablecloth.

The taste of those pizzelle stayed with me for decades.

Years later, when I plant myself working in that pastry kitchen, I became Aunt Josephine and Aunt Antoinette.  My sensible shoes weren't sturdy lace-upwardly oxfords, they were non-slip steel-toed boots.  I didn't wear a printed apron, I wore houndstooth pants and a white chef'southward jacket.  But every week, I stood in front of no less than 4 sizzling-hot pizzelle irons, animate in anise-scented steam.

I eventually quit that job, merely I could never quit pizzelles.  Not a year has gone past since, where I didn't fire upwards the pizzelle maker, put on Christmas music, and sit, scooping batter, lowering the hat, and flipping out pizzelle after thin, crisp pizzelle.

Over the years, I've fussed, and tweaked, and made slight improvements, here and there, to my original recipe.  I actually think information technology's the all-time it could always be.  Information technology'southward simple.  The ingredients are just whisked together in a bowl, no mixer required.  They're sweet and a little buttery, with existent, authentic anise flavor, and niggling seeds that crunch between your teeth, giving bursts of intense black licorice.

And best of all, they're so sparse and crisp.  Lighter than air!  The texture is actually what makes these pizzelle great, and I've had people begging me for the recipe for years.

I never idea I'd give information technology up, it just felt too important, too personal.   But here it is!  I promise yous'll behave on the tradition, and continue information technology every bit close to your heart as I ever have.

WHAT ARE PIZZELLE COOKIES?

Pizzelle are a crisp, flat Italian cookie, traditionally flavored with anise, that looks similar to a thin waffle.

Anise is a sweet spice with a flavor similar to black licorice.

Pizzelle are very similar to the Norwegian krumkake. Sometimes they're as well called ferratelle or cancelle.

They have a pretty snowflake pattern pressed into them, and they can be eaten flat, pressed into a bowl-shape, or rolled into cylinders. Sometimes they are sandwiched around or piped with a filling, such equally cannoli cream or Nutella spread.

They are especially pop around the Christmas and Easter holidays, and are often plant at Italian weddings and other celebrations.

HOW TO MAKE PIZZELLE

To make this classic recipe, yous'll first need a pizzelle maker. Back in the day, this was a bandage-atomic number 26 press that would be held over an open flame.

Nowadays, most pizzelle makers are electric. If you don't already own one, you tin buy one here: pizzelle maker. I have lots more info on this below, nether the heading "Where to purchase a pizzelle maker."

The kickoff footstep to making pizzelle is to gear up the pizzelle maker. Give the plates a light misting of non-stick spray, so wipe off the excess with a newspaper towel so your pizzelle don't come out too greasy.

Lightly greasing a pizzelle maker.

Then plug in your pizzelle atomic number 26 and let it preheat while you make the concoction.

Whisk eggs, sugar, anise seeds, vanilla, and anise excerpt together until combined.

Making pizzelle with eggs, sugar, anise, and vanilla.

The anise seeds are optional, merely I actually love the extra flavor they requite. I find them in the spice alley of my regular supermarket. If y'all're having trouble locating them, try ordering them here: anise seeds.

Stirring pizzelle ingredients together in a medium glass bowl with a wire whisk.

Once everything is well-incorporated, yous can whisk in the melted butter.

Next come the dry ingredients.

Adding flour, baking powder, and salt to pizzelle batter.

Flour, baking pulverisation, and salt get stirred in until a thick concoction forms.

Batter for making pizzelle cookies, in a glass mixing bowl.

Scoop the concoction, virtually a tablespoon at a fourth dimension.

Scooping pizzelle dough with a cookie scoop.

Dropping it right in the center of each of the hot plates.

Pizzelle batter placed on a pizzelle iron.

Then shut the hat and observe. You will see a lot of steam, and hear a loud sizzle.

Equally the pizzelle cook, the steam will kickoff to subside and the sizzling sound volition get quieter. This is when you know your pizzelle are probably done.

Open the hat carefully, peeking in to see the color of the pizzelle.

If they wait lightly aureate brown, they're just correct.

Making pizzelle recipe in a pizzelle maker.

Apply a fork or small spatula to remove them from the pizzelle maker.

Y'all'll discover at this phase that the pizzelle are very pliable. While they're still warm, they can be pressed into a basin shape or rolled into a tight cylinder.

But I similar to keep them flat. It really emphasizes their light, crisp texture.

Transfer them to a wire cooling rack. This volition allow any steam to evaporate abroad and let the pizzelle crisp up.

They merely demand a minute or 2 until they're completely cooled and well-baked.

Dusting pizzelle cookies with powdered sugar.

The last step is to grit them with a flurry of powdered sugar. This step is totally optional, only it sure makes them wait pretty!

WHERE TO BUY A PIZZELLE MAKER

Information technology's not too hard to discover a pizzelle maker, peculiarly at this fourth dimension of year.

I run into them at kitchen or housewares stores all the time. Places like Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Kitchen Kapers, or Kohl's are sure to comport them.

They're usually made by Cuisinart or CucinaPro. I've used both brands and they've worked well for me.

Try to get one with non-stick plates, if you can! It volition make the whole process so easy for you.

If you'd similar to order a pizzelle maker online, you can do that by clicking this link: pizzelle maker.

How to make pizzelles crisp.

HOW TO Proceed PIZZELLE FROM STICKING TO THE PIZZELLE Iron

If y'all have a pizzelle maker with a non-stick stop, you lot shouldn't accept also much problem.

Only I do call back it's best to lightly mist the plates with a little non-stick spray, and and so wipe off the excess with a paper towel. (You should only need to practise this one time, as the pizzelle iron is pre-heating. There usually is no need to do this for every cookie.)

I DON'T Like ANISE, CAN I SUBSTITUTE WITH SOMETHING ELSE?

Anise is traditional for accurate Italian pizzelle, only if you don't similar the gustation you can get out information technology out. Then you would just have vanilla pizzelle.

You could also substitute other flavors for the anise excerpt. Some nice ideas would include:

  • Lemon Extract and/or Zest
  • Orangish Bloom Water
  • Cinnamon
  • Almond Extract
  • Orangish Extract and/or Zest

These ingredients can be added to taste. Use as much or as petty every bit you'd like!

HOW TO KEEP PIZZELLE COOKIES Crisp

These cookies can be lightly covered and stored at room temperature.

I commonly just stack them and slip them into a zip-top bag.

As long equally they were completely absurd when wrapped, they should stay crisp for weeks. You really don't take to do anything special to them to go on them well-baked. There is just something about the ratio of ingredients in this particular recipe; the pizzelle become well-baked within minutes of coming off of the iron, and they truly stay that way.

If y'all similar to make a big batch to last a really long time, wrap the pizzelle tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into the freezer. They will proceed for months and tin be thawed at room temperature.

A freshly made batch of crisp, perfect pizzelles, cooling on a baker's rack, garnished with powdered sugar.

A few more than of my favorite Italian recipes:

  • Panna Cotta
  • Soft Italian Breadsticks
  • Classic Tiramisu

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Overhead image of pizzelle on a wire cooling rack with whole anise seeds and powdered sugar.

The thinnest, lightest, most crisp pizzelle recipe always!  They're just as calorie-free every bit air, & this recipe is truly authentic, with enough of sweet anise flavor.

Form: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: how to make pizzelle cookies, pizzelle, pizzelle cookies, pizzelle recipe

Servings: xxx cookies (approx.)

Calories: 76 kcal

  • 3 eggs (big)
  • three/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/ii teaspoons whole anise seed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/ii teaspoon anise excerpt
  • 1/two loving cup unsalted butter (one stick), melted and cooled slightly
  • ane 1/ii cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons blistering powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • powdered sugar (optional garnish)

  1. Preheat a pizzelle maker, and lightly mist the plates with not-stick spray.  Wipe the plates of the pizzelle maker lightly, to remove any backlog.*

  2. Place the eggs, sugar, anise seed, vanilla, and anise extract in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.

  3. Stir in the melted butter.

  4. Add the flour, baking powder, and common salt, and mix until smooth.

  5. Identify most a tablespoon of batter on each of the hot pizzelle maker plates, and close the lid.

  6. Cook until but a few wisps of steam are escaping from the pizzelle maker, and the pizzelles wait lightly gilded.

  7. Employ a fork or small spatula to remove the cooked pizzelles to a wire rack to cool.

  8. Dust with powdered saccharide, if using.

*You lot only demand to do this once, earlier starting.  There is no need to practise it after every pizzelle.

©

Nutrition Facts

Thin & Well-baked Pizzelle

Amount Per Serving

Calories 76 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fatty 4g 6%

Saturated Fat 2g 13%

Cholesterol 25mg viii%

Sodium 17mg 1%

Potassium 41mg ane%

Carbohydrates 10g 3%

Fiber 1g 4%

Carbohydrate 5g half-dozen%

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 118IU 2%

Calcium 17mg 2%

Iron 1mg vi%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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My search is over- this is the PERFECT pizzelle recipe! So thin, so light, so incredibly crisp, with plenty of authentic anise flavor. These are just like my great-aunt used to make- maybe even better! food desserts cookeis

My search is over- this is the PERFECT pizzelle recipe! So thin, so light, so incredibly crisp, with plenty of authentic anise flavor. These are just like my great-aunt used to make- maybe even better! food desserts cookies

My search is over- this is the PERFECT pizzelle recipe! So thin, so light, so incredibly crisp, with plenty of authentic anise flavor. These are just like my great-aunt used to make- maybe even better! food desserts cookies

My search is over- this is the PERFECT pizzelle recipe! So thin, so light, so incredibly crisp, with plenty of authentic anise flavor. These are just like my great-aunt used to make- maybe even better! food desserts cookies

Love cookies? Exist certain to follow my "Cookie Recipes Galore" Pinterest board!

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My search is over- this is the PERFECT pizzelle recipe! So thin, so light, so incredibly crisp, with plenty of authentic anise flavor. These are just like my great-aunt used to make- maybe even better! food desserts cookies