This old Italian family Pizzelle Recipe creates thin, crisp, and flavorful waffle cookies that have been passed down through generations. Perfect for holidays or special occasions, these authentic Italian cookies will quickly become a cherished tradition in your home.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A reader raved: “Lovely! Turned out just like Grandma made!” ~ Helen
Picture the scent of freshly baked pizzelle cookies wafting through your kitchen and you’re transported to any Italian gathering. These thin, crispy waffle cookies flavored with vanilla or anise and powdered sugar are more than just a treat they’re a piece of my family’s history. My Italian grandfather owned an Italian restaurant in Denver and this old family recipe has been passed down to me. We would make these cookies for holidays and special occasions and bring joy and togetherness with every batch. Now I get to share this treasured recipe with you so you can make your own.
Whether you want to add a new cookie to your holiday tray or start a new family tradition, this old Italian family pizzelle recipe is for you. With simple ingredients and easy to follow directions you’ll be baking these cookies in no time. Plus the recipe makes over 50 cookies so it’s perfect for sharing, gatherings or gifting. So dust off that pizzelle iron, gather your ingredients and bring a little bit of Italian tradition into your kitchen!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Why You Will Love Pizzelle Cookies
- Christmas Parties – This recipe makes over 50 cookies, making it excellent to make at Christmas time. Maybe it’ll become one of your family favorites, too!
- Customize – Flavor the traditional Italian waffle cookies with classic anise, almond, vanilla, lemon, or other tasty extracts and spices. Continue reading to get more scrumptious ideas!
- Traditional Italian Recipe – This recipe is extra special because it’s one my proud Italian family has made for years; I’ve made them every holiday, for weddings, funerals, and just for fun.
What are Pizzelle cookies?
First, how in the world do you pronounce Pizzelle? In Italian, it’s pronounced ‘pitˈtsɛlle’ pronounced ‘peet-Zell-a.’ However, Americans say pi·zel.
Pizzelle are the most popular during Christmas and Easter, but they are often found at Italian weddings and funerals or, really, any Italian family gathering!
Pizzelle cookies are Italian waffle cookies with a thin and crispy texture traditionally made with anise extract or anise seeds. While you typically bake cookies, Pizzelle is different.
The recipe makes something similar to an eggy butter cookie dough, it’s a thick sticky dough. You need special equipment for this unique cookie. They are known to be the oldest cookies in the world! Dating back to 8th century from a small village in Abruzzo located in Southern Italy.
Pizzelle Recipe Ingredients
- Eggs | This is an eggy dough, for the best results, bring your eggs to room temperature.
- Sugar | Add sweetness with your choice of sugar. When I can, I like to use natural cane sugar.
- Baking powder | Be sure to check the expiration date of your baking powder. Old baking powder loses its effect.
- Flour | I like to evenly combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder by sifting them together before adding them to the rest of the ingredients.
- Salt | I prefer kosher salt when baking.
- Butter | I use salted butter in most of my baking, but if you choose unsalted butter, add a ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Vanilla or Anise | Flavor the cookies with vanilla extract or traditional Anise. For anise Pizzelle, start with a little and add more if needed.
- Powdered sugar | Dust the cookies with powdered sugar to top it all off.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Special Equipment
I’ve had my pizzelle maker for about 30 years, but I did a little research on the best pizzelle makers; and Cucinapro comes out on top; here’s a two-cookie iron but, I would love this 4 pizzelle maker.
Recommended Tools
- Love the edges on this CucinaPro Pizzelle Iron
How to make Pizzelle Cookies
Step 1 | Make Pizzelle Batter
First, add the eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat them on medium-high speed until they are fluffy and light. Slowly add the sugar until the mixture is creamy. Then, with the low-speed mixer drizzle the cooled melted butter over the ingredients.
Next, add vanilla extract (or favorite extract) and sift the flour with baking powder and salt in a large bowl, adding the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix on low until the Pizzelle batter is well combined. The batter will be sticky.
Step 2 | Make Pizzelles
Plug in and power on the pizzelle waffle iron (not a regular waffle iron) and let it heat up. Rub or spray with a little vegetable oil if not a non-stick pizzelle iron.
Then, scoop about a tablespoon of battered pizzelle dough onto the hot iron. Play around with where you put the dough, on my iron, I need to center it but place it closer to the back.
Close the iron and cook for about a minute; some pizzelle irons have a timer; mine is about 30 years old; I know when it stops steaming, they are ready – about 1 minute.
Step 3 | Cool pizzelle and dust with powdered sugar
Next, carefully use a fork to lift the hot cookies onto a cooling rack. Continue the steps with the remaining cookie dough. Once they are completely cool, dust them with powdered sugar and serve your crisp cookies! Enjoy your special treat with a hot cup of coffee or chilled ice cream.
Pizzelle Cookies Recipe Tips
- When the iron stops steaming, that usually indicates the cookies are done.
- If your iron is not non-stick, spray it with a light layer of oil or rub it with soft butter.
- Note that a pizzelle iron is different from a waffle maker.
- Do not overfill the pizzelle iron, just a tablespoon of dough should do it.
- Cook until crispy, allow to cool completely and store in cello bags, cookie tin or aluminum foil to retain crispness.
Pizzelle Cookies Recipe
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Ingredients
- 6 large eggs room temperature, if you forgot, simply submerge eggs in a bowl of warm, not hot water for 5-7 minutes.
- 1 ½ cups sugar I use all-natural cane sugar, but white sugar may be used
- 4 teaspoons baking powder reduce to 3 teaspoons for high-altitude
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted, I use organic unbleached all-purpose flour (add 2 tablespoons for high altitude)
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 cup butter melted and cooled slightly (2 sticks)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract or use anise extract, if using anise use 1 teaspoon anise extract and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the best flavor
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer beat eggs until light and fluffy on medium-high speed, gradually add sugar mixing until creamy. Slowly drizzle in cooled melted butter and then the vanilla or anise extract.
- Sift flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt and mix on low speed until combined.
- Heat up a pizzelle waffle iron and if necessary, spray with a little oil or rub with butter if not non-stick.
- Using two teaspoons spoon about a tablespoon of dough onto the pizzelle iron just off-center towards the back of the iron, close and cook for about 1 minute. Typically, when it stops steaming, they are done. Use a fork to lift them out onto a cooling rack. Cool them flat or curve around a shape if desired, but classic Italian pizzelle cookies are flat. Once cooled completely, sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- This recipe easily halves for fewer cookies! Use the slider on the recipe card. Pizzelle butter cookies make great food gifts for neighbors, co-workers and friends.
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Notes
Storage Tips
After the cookies cool, store them in a cookie tin, cello bag or wrap them in aluminum foil to keep them crispy. They will keep nice and crispy for weeks! This cookie doesn’t need to be stored in an airtight container and should not be refrigerated due to excess moisture.How to Freeze Pizzelles
Wrap six cookies at a time in plastic wrap, then transfer them to an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to three months. It helps to separate them with parchment paper, preventing sticking. Thaw on counter and if too soft after freezing, see below for how to make your pizzelles crisp again.How do you make pizzelles crisp again?
If your pizzelles get too soft, just place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake them in a 300° F /(150° C) oven for a few minutes.Can I make pizzelle dough ahead of time?
You can make this dough up to three days ahead of time. Store covered in the fridge, then bring to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before baking.Variations & Substitutions
- Lemon Pizzelle Cookies | Stir into batter, 1-2 tablespoons of lemon zest (about 1-2 large lemons).
- Gluten-Free Pizzelle | Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour or half GF AP Flour and ½ almond flour or oat flour.
- Dairy-Free Pizzelle Recipe | Use dairy-free or plant-based butter, like margarine or coconut oil, to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Keto Pizzelle | To make low-carb Pizzelle, swap out the flour for almond flour and trade the sugar for a monk fruit sugar substitute, like Lakanto Golden Sugar.
- Rolled Pizzelle Cookie Cones | Place the warm Pizzelle onto a rounded surface, like a wooden dowel, to form it into a cylinder shape as it dries. It’s perfect for making Pizzelle cannoli shells! Or place them over the bottom of a drinking glass or a small bowl to make edible bowls!
- Chocolate Pizzelles | Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the batter and enjoy these easy chocolate pizzelles, I would use vanilla extract versus anise seed for these.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
- It’s common to sandwich two pizzelle with cannoli cream or hazelnut spread (like Nutella). Pizzelle, while still warm, can also be rolled into a tubular shape using a wooden dowel to create cannoli shells.
- Sugar Substitutes: coconut sugar, maple syrup, brown sugar, and honey
- Add cinnamon to the classic recipe for a warm twist.
- Swap the vanilla or anise for almond extract for almond Pizzelles; start with ½ a teaspoon and taste it.
- Get creative by dipping the edges of the cooled pizzelles in melted chocolate. Let the chocolate set by setting the cookies on the cooling rack or a cookie sheet. If desired, before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with chopped nuts or festive sprinkles, too!
Nutrition
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High Altitude Adjustments for Pizzelle Cookies
At higher altitudes, this classic Italian cookie recipe should take about the same amount of time to cook in the iron. Here are the minor ingredient adjustments you need to make:
- Reduce the baking powder to three teaspoons.
- Add two more tablespoons to the flour measurement.
Italian Waffle Cookies Variations
Because as we all know, variety is the spice of life! So be creative!
- Gluten-Free Pizzelle: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour or use half GF AP flour and half almond or oat flour.
- Dairy-Free Pizzelle Recipe: Use dairy-free or plant-based butter, like margarine or coconut oil, to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Keto Pizzelle: For a low-carb version, swap the flour for almond flour and replace the sugar with a monk fruit sweetener, like Lakanto Golden Sugar.
- Rolled Pizzelle Cookie Cones: While warm, shape pizzelle by wrapping them around a wooden dowel for cannoli shells or placing them over a glass or small bowl to create edible bowls.
- Chocolate Pizzelles: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the batter and use vanilla extract instead of anise seed for a delicious chocolate twist.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
Get creative this this classic Pizzelle recipe by swapping out the traditional anise flavoring for other variations.
- It’s common to sandwich two pizzelle with cannoli cream or hazelnut spread (like Nutella). Pizzelle, while still warm, can also be rolled into a tubular shape using a wooden dowel to create cannoli shells.
- Sugar Substitutes: coconut sugar, maple syrup, brown sugar, and honey
- Add cinnamon to the classic recipe for a warm twist.
- Swap the vanilla or anise for almond extract for almond Pizzelles, start with ½ a teaspoon and taste it.
- Make Lemon Pizzelle Cookies by including a couple of tablespoons of lemon zest.
- Get creative by dipping the edges of the cooled pizzelles in melted chocolate. Let the chocolate set by setting the cookies on the cooling rack or a cookie sheet. If desired, before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with chopped nuts or festive sprinkles, too!
Storing Pizzelle Cookies
After the cookies cool, store them in a cookie tin, cello bags or wrap them in aluminum foil to keep them crispy. They will keep nice and crispy for weeks! This is one cookie that doesn’t need to be stored in an airtight container, and should not be refrigerated due to excess moisture.
How to Freeze Pizzelles
Wrap six cookies at a time in plastic wrap, then transfer them to an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to three months. It helps to separate them with parchment paper, preventing sticking. Thaw on counter and if too soft after freezing, see below for how to make your pizzelles crisp again.
How do you make pizzelles crisp again?
If your pizzelles get too soft, just place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake them in a 300° F /(150° C) oven for a few minutes, cool and enjoy!
Can I make pizzelle dough ahead of time?
You can make this dough up to three days ahead of time. Store covered in the fridge, then bring to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
The word for this old recipe is pronounced ‘peet-Zell-ay.’ However, Americans say pi·zel.
The perfect way to get crispy waffle cookies is to cook until they are a nice golden brown for the ultimate crispiness. Don’t add too much dough to the iron because the thinner cookies always come out crispier– About a tablespoon of dough should do. Then, let them cool completely on a wire rack before stacking or storing. And store them in a cookie tin or wrapped in aluminum foil for ultimate crispness.
The best way to make this type of waffle cookie is with a Pizzelle iron to make these traditional Italian cookies. You may find other methods online, but most fall short of the Pizzelle cookie iron, including using waffle irons, the stovetop, or the oven.
Also recognized as ferratelle or cancelle, pizzelle, is derived from the Italian word “pizze,” which signifies round or flat, and translates to “little pizza.”
Make Food Gifts
Download my FREE printable gifts from the kitchen gift tags or these Christmas gift tags, package your butter waffle cookies into cello bags, and tie them with string for a beautiful and tasty food gift.
What to serve with Pizzelles Cookies
Below are a few of my favorite Christmas cookies that look beautiful and scrumptious on a tray with homemade thin Italian waffle cookies, adding complimenting and contrasting flavor:
Recommended Tools
- Love the edges on this CucinaPro Pizzelle Iron
Cookies for Kids Cancer
This recipe is part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap hosted by The Speckled Palate and Feast + West, where food bloggers share holiday cookie recipes to bake and give.
We’re also raising money for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a 501(c)3 non-profit funding research for safer childhood cancer treatments. Since 2008, they’ve granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research, leading to over 35 treatments available today. You can still help by donating through our fundraising page.
More Classic Italian Recipes
- Easy Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe
- Italian Tiramisu Recipe
- Best Italian Cream Puff Cake Recipe
- Authentic Italian Spaghetti Sauce Recipe (Gluten-Free)
- Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe (Olive Garden)
- Easy Homemade Authentic Italian Stromboli Recipe
I hope you loved this recipe for Pizzelle cookies — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Christina Vann
Great recipe! Turned out great!
Awe thank you so much, Christina!!
Helen
Lovely! Turned out just like Grandma made!
This makes me so happy, Helen! Thank you!!
Debbie Diamond
Love the recipe
HATE THE ADDS
So glad you loved it. Me too Debbie, however it is how I’m able to earn a living while bringing free recipes to the public.
Carla
I will try them for sure !
Can I substitute butter for canola oil ?
If so, how much ?
Hi Carla, I wouldn’t recommend that. It would be like making a butter cookie with oil. I just don’t think they’d turn out the same. If you try, I’d just do half a batch. They are a splurge for sure!!
Ann
So good with a cup of tea. Thanks!
Oh so good!!
Traci
I love the introduction and the easy steps to make this recipe! What a fun activity to do with the family. Thank you for sharing all the details!
You are so welcome!
Sara Welch
These were everything a gourmet cookie should be, and then some! Turned out light, beautiful and delicious; easily, a new favorite treat!
Yeah! So glad you loved them!
Gianne
The delicious vanilla flavor combined with the perfect texture of these waffle-like cookies is simply irresistible. They are such a delightful treat that I can’t help but devour them all in no time!
Thank you!
Susannah
These are so nostalgic for me! We had a pizzelle maker when I was a kid and now I want to get one and make your recipe. Thank you for being a part of The Sweetest Season this year, Kathleen.
Yay, it’s all about memories!
Megan
So lovely! I have always wanted to make pizzelles and your post is very helpful!
So very glad!!
Shashi at Savory Spin
These are exquisite! What a fab gift idea!
Thank you!
Sam
Love the vanilla twist on these pizzelles! Definitely trying out the nutella sandwich method next time!
Thank you so much, Sam, so glad you love them and yes, the Nutella sandwich is my youngest son’s fave!
Erin
These are the most BEAUTIFUL Christmas cookies. My mom speaks longingly about the pizzelles that the Italian families in her neighborhood made when she was growing up, and I cannot wait to make these with her at Christmas. Thank you for this recipe. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Kathleen!
Yay! So glad it’s something you and your mom will do together!
Nikki
The most beautiful Christmas cookie! A classic we enjoy every year!
It is really a classic!
jenn
These are the best Christmas cookie
Thank you so much!
Grace
Such a beautiuful cookie!
Tastes amazing too!
Sheila
Oh, so fancy!! Everyone loves these crispy cookies and never imagine that they are homemade and not from an Italian bakery!! Delicious!
Yasss!! Thank you so much Sheila!
Liz
Pizzelles are one of my favorite cookies – we make them every year!
Love that!!
Gaila
I just can’t resist these cookies. they are so good! yours look so yummy!
They are the best!! Thank you ????
Ellen
This pizzelle dough is the best! I love giving these as gifts.
Yes!! Perfect gifts!
Eliza
These are the best pizzelles I’ve ever eaten! Seriously, they’re light and crispy with just the right amount of sweetness. So good with a cup of coffee or tea!
Thank you so much dear Eliza!