Pizzelli Cookies
What are Pizzelli?
Pizzelle are traditional Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, or vegetable oil, and flavoring (usually anise or anisette, less commonly vanilla or lemon zest). They can be crisp or soft and chewy depending on the ingredients and method of preparation. It can also be molded into various shapes, including in the tubular shape of cannoli or into cups to hold a creamy filling.
Pizzelle were originally made in Ortona, in the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy. In other parts of Italy, they may be called ferratelle, nevole, or cancelle.
To make a pizzelle, the cookie dough or batter is put into a pizzelle iron, which resembles a small waffle iron. Initially, the long-handled pizzelle iron was held by hand over a hot burner on the stovetop. However, today, most pizzelles are made using electric models and require no stove.
I have used both the iron and the electric models of pizzelle makers, and I prefer one over the other. I only make pizzelle at Christmas, although they can also be found at Italian weddings and Easter. I usually serve my pizzelle plain sprinkled with powdered sugar, but they can also be sandwiched together with jam, cannoli cream, or hazelnut chocolate spread.
Make sure the cookies are completely cool before storage. Please place them in an airtight container or zip-top storage bag and store them at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele
Pizzelli Cookies
A crisp flat cookie that originated in Abbruzzo that is made for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 Cup All-purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- Pinch of Salt
- 3 Large Eggs At Room Temperature
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter, Melted & Cooled
- Vegetable Oil Spray
- Powdered Sugar For Dusting
Instructions
- Preheat pizzelle iron or electric pizzelle maker.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium sized bowl.
- Whisk together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until blended.
- Stir liquid ingredients into the flour mixture until combined.
- Stir in the melted butter just until blended, being careful not to overmix, creating a thick batter.
- Lightly spray the preheated pizzelle iron with cooking spray, then spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter onto each mold and close the lid.
- Cook until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool and crisp up.
- Repeat with the remaining batter until it is used up.
- Break off any rough edges and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g
