Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (2024)

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Classic Pizzelle Cookies are a traditional Italian cookie that is perfect forChristmas time. They are thin, crisp, buttery, and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar for sweetness. When I married my Italian husband was the first time I tasted a Pizzelle and I have been a fan ever since.

You may also be interested in another Christmas cookie post The Best Easy Christmas Cut Out Cookie Recipe!

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (2)

My first Pizzelles were purchasedat our local Italian import store in Cleveland Ohio, Gust Gallucci’s Italian Food & Market. Every year when Jim was a boy his family visited Gallucci at Christmas. As a special treat, they always bought our children pizzelle cookies. When we started our family we now continue this Christmas tradition and our kids ask each year when we are making our Christmas trip to Gallucci”s.

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (3)

One of my first Christmas gifts from Jim was an electric Pizzelle Maker from Gallucci’s. As a family, we have been making our own Pizzelles with the kids at home. Believe me, it is so easy. The batter is simple. Just basic ingredients that you control, are eggs, flour, butter, and sugar baking powder. Traditionally Pizzelles were made with anise seed extract but when the kids were little we make them with vanilla. I love them both but little ones may not like the licorice flavor of anise.

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I know making pizzelle cookies will become a family tradition for your family. The easy batter, simple to use pizzelle maker, and ready to eat in 30 seconds. Yes, I said seconds. Your kids can have fun mixing the batter and sprinkling the powdered sugar on top and not have a long wait to eat the reward.

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (4)

A Pizzelle Maker can be purchased here at a really reasonable price. I have had mine for 30 years and wehave had 30 years of fun. I use the recipe in my instruction book, but you can also purchasemixes that make it even quicker.

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (5)

When the pizzellecome off the pizzelle iron they are soft and flexible. You can roll them into a cone with a Pizzelle Cone Roller. They can then be filled with chocolate or vanilla whip cream for a special dessert. I am thinking of ice cream this summer out on the deck with the kids. (just in case there is a mess).

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (6)

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Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (11)

Italian Pizzelle Cookie

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  • Author: Crafting a Family Dinner
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Total Time: 30
  • Yield: 24 servings 1x
  • Category: Cookie
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
Print Recipe

Description

Thin Crisp Waffel Italian Cookie

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 cup White Sugar
  • 3/4 cup Butter Melted and Cooled
  • 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla extract (or Anise Seed extract)
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour, sifted
  • 2 tsp Baking Powder
  • Powder Sugar for dusting about 2 cups

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your Pizzelle Maker.
  2. Put the eggs in a dish and mix with a fork slightly.
  3. Beat together eggs and sugar.
  4. Melt the butter and have it cooled.
  5. Add the cooled butter to the eggs and sugar.
  6. Add the vanilla (or anise seed) extract
  7. In a separate bowl sift together the flour and the baking powder.
  8. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture.
  9. Mix until just combined.
  10. Add one tablespoon of batter in each section of your maker. Place the batter slightly to the back of the circle.
  11. Close the lid and lock.
  12. Set your timer for 30 to 60 seconds.
  13. When the timer is done, open the maker and using a spatula remove the cookie and set it on a flat surface or cooling rack.
  14. Take the powdered sugar and put the powdered sugar in a strainer and tap the side to make a snow-like layer on each Pizzelle.

Notes

  • Pizzelle cookies can also be made chocolate. All you have to do is add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons of additional sugar to the basic recipe.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 30

Recipe Card powered byClassic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (12)

Let me know what fun and traditional cookie you make with your family each year.

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe - Crafting a Family Dinner (2024)

FAQs

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 not crunchy? ›

There are a few reasons why your pizzelle might not be crispy: Humidity – If you live in a very humid climate it can affect the crispiness of your cookies. Cooling – You must cool your cookies completely before storing. They need to cool completely on a cooling rack before being stored.

What is the tradition of pizzelles? ›

Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie and originated in the mid-section of Italy. They were made many years ago for the “Festival of the Snakes” also known as the “Feast Day of San Domenico” in the village of Colcullo in the Italian region of Abruzzo.

Are pizzelles German or Italian? ›

Pizzelle were originally made in the comune (municipality) of Ortona, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Many other cultures have developed a pizzelle-type cookie as part of their culture (for example, the Norwegian krumkake).

What does pizzelle mean in English? ›

Also known by the names ferratelle or cancelle, pizzelle means little pizza and comes from the Italian word “pizze,” meaning round or flat.

What does pizzelle mean in Italian? ›

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.

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.

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 is a fun fact about pizzelles? ›

Pizzelles are believed to be the oldest cookie in history, first made in the 8th century in south-central Italy. The traditional pizzelle cookie is made from a sugar/butter-based batter that is pressed between two hot irons, usually sporting a design.

Why are my pizzelles sticking to the pizzelle maker? ›

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!

What is the difference between pizzelle and Krumkake? ›

Krumkake batter is thinner than pizzelle batter, which is what allows it to roll so easily, and while krumkake is more versatile when it comes to flavors and fillings, pizelles are more likely to be flavored by directly adding ingredients to the batter.

What is the Norwegian version of pizzelle? ›

Krumkake is a Norwegian waffle cookie, like an Italian Pizzelle, made with a flat press that is rolled into a cone shape.

What cookie originated in Italy? ›

Biscotti, also known as cantuccini or mandelbrot (Mandel bread), are traditional Italian cookies with a long history and rich cultural significance.

Is pizzelle a girl? ›

Pizzelle was confirmed transfem by the developers in the Sugary Spire discord. This is a cause of frequent confusion, due to Pizzelle using any pronouns.

What are the different flavors of pizzelles? ›

this sugar cookie pizzelle tastes sooo good and is sprinkled with coarse sparkly sugar for that sugar cookie crunch.
  • Sugar Plum. Visions of these will be dancing in your head! ...
  • Tangerine. An orange taste, yet more of a citrus flavor. ...
  • Tiramisu. Ah, the sweet Italian treat all baked into a pizzelle! ...
  • Tutti Frutti.

How were pizzelles originally made? ›

Pizzelles of the past were made on irons embossed with the family crest or other symbols of meaning. They were baked individually on these irons which were held over the top of an open flame. Today, as then, pizzelle cookies are still embossed but with a waffle pattern on one side and a floral pattern on the other.

When was the first pizzelle made? ›

Pizzelles are believed to be the oldest cookie in history, first made in the 8th century in south-central Italy. The traditional pizzelle cookie is made from a sugar/butter-based batter that is pressed between two hot irons, usually sporting a design.

References

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