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Classic Pizzelle Recipe for Italian Waffle Cookies Recipe

4.8 from 70 reviews

This Classic Pizzelle Recipe offers a traditional Italian waffle cookie that’s crisp, buttery, and delicately flavored with vanilla. Perfect for holiday treats or anytime you’re craving a light, crispy cookie, these pizzelles are made with simple ingredients and cooked quickly in a pizzelle maker for delightful homemade results.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup European butter (melted and cooled)
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

  1. Beat eggs and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the 3 large eggs and 3/4 cup granulated sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy and light yellow in color, which ensures the right texture for your pizzelles.
  2. Add butter and vanilla: While continuing to beat, slowly drizzle in the melted and cooled 1/2 cup European butter, then add 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract to combine for a rich, aromatic batter.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour and 2 teaspoons baking powder. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agent for light, crisp cookies.
  4. Combine wet and dry: Using a spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness in the cookies.
  5. Bake pizzelles: Preheat your pizzelle maker. Bake one medium cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons) of batter per mold until golden brown, approximately 30 seconds. Carefully remove the pizzelle with a wooden spatula and place it on a cooling rack to cool completely.
  6. Serve and garnish: Once cooled, dust the pizzelles with powdered sugar as desired for a festive finishing touch. Enjoy these crisp and flavorful Italian waffle cookies fresh or stored in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is fully cooled before adding to the eggs to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
  • Do not overmix the batter; folding until just combined keeps the pizzelles tender yet crisp.
  • If you don’t have a pizzelle maker, a waffle iron with flat patterned plates can be a substitute but may alter the traditional shape.
  • Store pizzelles in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness for up to one week.
  • For a different flavor, try adding a splash of anise extract or lemon zest in place of vanilla.

Keywords: Classic Pizzelle, Italian waffle cookies, traditional pizzelle recipe, homemade pizzelle, easy Italian cookies, vanilla pizzelle