How to Make Pizzelle Cookies

One of the best cookies I have ever had the joy of eating was the Pizzelle. I first began eating them over forty years ago when my Aunt Nena made them during special occasions. No Holiday was complete until the Pizzelles were served at dessert time. Pizzelle cookies are a traditional Italian waffle cookie made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter and anise or vanilla, or even lemon zest flavoring. Pizzelle's are wonderful because they are light, and not too sweet and very comforting. They are easy to make. I like to make them at Christmas because they look like snowflakes when they are topped with powdered sugar.

Pizzelles are from south central Italy. The name actually means round and flat and comes from the Italian word "Pizze" which also means pizza. Pizzelles are one of the oldest cookies. They are traditional in many other cultures.

Pizzelle cookie dough batter is put into a pizzelle iron which looks just like a waffle iron. You put about a teaspoon of dough on each burner, and then press down for about 30 seconds. The iron stamps a snowflake pattern on both sides and it turns out to be a thin, golden cookie that is crisp once it cools down. You can find pizzelle irons at many online cooking stores. They are a fun and easy to make with children also. They are especially popular at Christmas and Easter holidays.

My aunt has been making these for over forty years, and I was delighted when she shared her recipe with me. Now I make them for my family, and it's wonderful to see my children enjoy them as much as I did when I was growing up. Please note that you will need a Pizzelle Iron to make these cookies.

Aunt Nena's Pizzelle Recipe

6 whole eggs

2 sticks of butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

1 ½ C. sugar

2 ½ C. flour

4 tsp. baking powder

2 TBS. vanilla, or 1 whole 'small' bottle of Anise flavoring

In a large bowl, beat the eggs slightly. Add in the melted butter. Then add the sugar and flavoring of your choice. Beat well. Slowly add the flour and baking powder.

Drop one teaspoon of dough onto each burner of your pizzelle iron. Press down for about 30 seconds.

When your cookie is a light golden brown, remove them and place them on a cookie rack to cool.

When they are cool, sprinkle them with powdered sugar.

Pizzelle irons may vary, so make sure to read the instructions on how long to bake them with the iron that you have.