Classic Vanilla and Anise Pizzelle Cookies
Make authentic, crisp Italian pizzelle cookies using this straightforward recipe. These delicate waffle cookies feature classic vanilla and anise flavors, perfect for holiday trays or coffee time.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: About 3 dozen 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Waffle Iron Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
- Beat in the cooled melted butter, vanilla extract, and anise extract until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a smooth batter forms. Do not overmix.
- Preheat your pizzelle maker according to the manufacturer’s directions. Lightly grease the iron if necessary.
- Drop one teaspoon of batter onto the center of the hot iron. Close the lid immediately.
- Cook for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the steam stops escaping and the pizzelle is golden brown and patterned. Cooking time varies by iron.
- Carefully remove the hot pizzelle with a thin spatula. If you want them to be crisp, immediately place them on a wire cooling rack. If you prefer them soft or want to shape them (like into cannoli shells), shape them quickly before they cool and harden.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, placing finished cookies on the rack to cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool.
Notes
- For the crispest Italian crisp cookies, let the pizzelles cool completely on a wire rack away from humidity.
- If your pizzelles are not crisp after cooling, return them to the warm (but turned off) pizzelle maker for a few minutes to dry out slightly.
- To make chocolate pizzelle variations, substitute 2 tablespoons of the flour with 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
- For almond pizzelle recipe flavor, use 1 teaspoon almond extract instead of anise extract.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 35
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 0.2
- Protein: 1.5
- Cholesterol: 25