Pizzelle

4.7
(185)

An easy pizzelle recipe for making beautiful Italian cookies on a pizzelle iron. You can flavor the cookie batter with vanilla or anise. These wafer cookies are light and crispy, and they keep well in an airtight tin. Powdered sugar adds an elegant touch to this holiday favorite.

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Stack of pizzelles dusted with powdered sugar on a wire rack.
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
24
Yield:
2 dozen cookies

This pizzelle recipe creates light, crispy, and beautifully elegant Italian cookies every time. It'll quickly become a holiday season staple in your household.

What Are Pizzelles?

Pizzelles are thin Italian waffle cookies with a crisp texture. They're made with pizzelle irons and feature intricate designs. Pizzelle cookies, which are commonly served during the Christmas and Easter holidays, can be served flat or molded into shapes while they're still warm.

Pizzelle Ingredients

Believe it or not, you don't need a lot of ingredients to make this impressive pizzelle recipe. Here's what to add to your grocery list:

  • Eggs: Eggs lend moisture and act as a binding agent, which means they help hold the dough together.
  • Sugar: Sweeten things up with white sugar.
  • Butter: You'll need a stick of melted butter.
  • Vanilla: A tablespoon of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the pizzelle cookies.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour creates structure in the cookie dough.
  • Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, which means it helps the cookies rise slightly.
  • Oil: Make sure to brush your pizzelle iron with vegetable oil to keep the cookies from sticking.
pizzelles cooling on a wire rack
Jessica Choi

How to Make Pizzelles

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these gorgeous pizzelles:

  1. Beat the eggs and sugar, then stir in the butter and vanilla.
  2. Add the flour and baking powder.
  3. Spoon the batter onto the prepared pizzelle iron.
  4. Close the iron and bake for 30-45 seconds.

How to Store Pizzelles

Make sure the cookies are completely cool before storage. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top storage bag and store at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Can You Freeze Pizzelles?

Yes, you can freeze pizzelles. While they won't be quite as crisp as freshly baked cookies, they'll still be delicious! Arrange the cooled cookies on a baking sheet, cover, and flash freeze for a few hours or up to overnight. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bags and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"After using various recipes, this one is a keeper!" says Cindy. "Easy, manageable batch, and excellent results! I even made a batch of the chocolate pizzelles. They are AMAZING!"

I love this recipe," raves noelran9. "I can't wait to try some different variations people have suggested. I made them exactly as the recipe stated and they were perfect!"

"These were just outstanding and I have been eating these cookies my whole life," according to Lauren M. "I followed the recipe exactly the first time and the cookies came out light and crispy and so good. They were very easy to make even on my very old pizzelle iron."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • 3 large eggs

  • ¾ cup white sugar

  • ½ cup butter, melted

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla or anise extract

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, or as needed

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Baking ingredients including eggs, flour, and sugar arranged on a table.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until thick. Stir in melted butter and vanilla. Sift together flour and baking powder, and blend into the batter until smooth.

    Smooth pizzelle batter being mixed in a bowl with a spatula.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Heat the pizzelle iron, and brush with oil. Drop about one tablespoon of batter onto each circle on the iron. You may need to experiment with the amount of batter and baking time depending on the iron. Bake for 20 to 45 seconds or until steam is no longer coming out of the iron. Carefully remove cookie from the iron and repeat with remaining batter.

    Dollops of pizzelle batter on a hot pizzelle press ready for cooking.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

    Freshly baked pizzelles cooling on a wire rack with detailed floral designs.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Serve and enjoy!

    Stack of pizzelles dusted with powdered sugar on a wire rack.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Cook’s Note

To make chocolate pizzelles: Increase the sugar by another ¼ cup. Add ¼ cup cocoa powder sifted together in the flour-baking powder mixture with an extra ¼ teaspoon baking powder.

343 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

105 Calories
5g Fat
13g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 105
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 33mg 11%
Sodium 80mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 21mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.