Classic Vanilla and Anise Pizzelle Cookies
Make light, crispy Italian waffle cookies using this simple recipe. These buttery pizzelle are flavored with vanilla and traditional anise, perfect for holiday baking or serving with coffee.
- 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 unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon anise extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare your pizzelle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions and preheat it.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and anise extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form a thick batter. Do not overmix.
- Using a small spoon or measuring cup, drop a small amount of batter onto the center of the hot pizzelle iron. The amount needed will vary based on your iron size.
- Close the iron quickly and press firmly. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds, or until the steam stops escaping and the cookie is golden brown.
- Carefully remove the hot, delicate cookie using a thin spatula.
- Immediately place the cookie on a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will crisp up as they cool.
- If you wish to shape the cookies (into cannoli shells or cones), do so immediately while they are still hot and pliable.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, dusting the finished, cooled pizzelle cookies with confectioners’ sugar before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a purely vanilla flavor, omit the anise extract and increase the vanilla extract to 2 teaspoons.
- To make chocolate pizzelle, substitute 1/4 cup of the flour with 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
- If your cookies are not crisping, cook them for an additional 10 to 15 seconds per batch.
- Store completely cooled pizzelle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg