Growing up, smelling Italian Pizzelle Cookies with Anise meant that there was a special occasion around the corner like Easter holidays or Christmas time. Mom always had her little recipe book with her top secret original recipes that were tried and true.
The pizzelle cookie is not only an easy cookie recipe to make but it's a classic Italian cookie that you'll find at special occasions.
If you like pizzelle cookies, then you'll love some of my other classic Italian cookie recipes like Italian Peach Cookies, Italian Frappe or Cioffe Pastries, Italian Butter Cookies, Soft Amaretti Cookies or my mom's Almond Crescent Cookies.
Take your pizzelle machine one step further and make Pizzelle Cannoli Shells or Pizzelle Waffle Cones.
Jump to:
- Here's Why You'll Love this Recipe
- What are Pizzelle Cookies?
- What else can you Make with a Pizzelle Maker?
- Learn with Us
- Ingredients
- How to Make Traditional Italian Pizzelle Cookies with Anise
- Top Tips
- Substitutions and Variations
- Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- Other Christmas Cookies
- Recipe Details
- PIN it for later here
- Food Safety
- Comments
Here's Why You'll Love this Recipe
Not only will you want to try this classic pizzelle recipe, but you'll fall in love with it because:
- classic Italian anise flavor with subtle licorice taste of anise is appealing to everyone
- crisp cookie texture which is light and delicate making it perfect for coffee or tea
- beautiful design made from the intricate pattern of a pizzelle machine
- perfect for the holidays or a special occasion like Christmas, Easter wedding celebration or a bridal shower
- not to sweet making it a perfect option if you don't like sweet crisp cookies or on a restrictive diet
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What are Pizzelle Cookies?
Anise Pizzelles are traditional Italian waffle cookies with the scent of anise made with an electric pizzelle iron. They originating in Abruzzo region of Italy and have a crisp and delicate texture.
Pizzelle cookies are often served plain, dusted with sugar, shaped into cones or can be shaped into cannoli shells and filled with a creamy ricotta filling.
What else can you Make with a Pizzelle Maker?
Here are some other things to do with the perfect pizzelle recipe:
- Cannoli shells
- Pizzelle Ice cream sandwiches
- Chocolate pizzelle
- Waffle Cones for ice cream
Learn with Us
The first time we made pizzelle cookies with anise we used butter and a bit more flour. The pizzelle dough came out too thick and clumpy. After that, we reduced the amount of flour and added sambuca liquor to make the pizzelle dough thinner which resulted in a crisp pizzelle.
Ingredients
You won't need much to make these anise pizzelle with a pizzelle press. Here's what you need to get ready:
- vegetable shortening like Crisco, cooking spray or unsalted melted butter
- large eggs
- granulated sugar
- anise extract, anise seeds or anise oil
- sambuca liquor or grappa
- baking powder
- all purpose flour
- vegetable oil to grease pizzelle maker
For exact measurement details see recipe card...
How to Make Traditional Italian Pizzelle Cookies with Anise
These traditional pizzelle cookies don't take very long to make. Gather up all of your ingredients.
Melt vegetable shortening and set aside to cool.
In a small bowl mix eggs and sugar. Add anise and sambuca and cooled shortening.
Add baking baking powder to egg mixture.
Add flour to egg mixture a little at a time until you get the consistency you prefer.
Heat up the pizzelle maker and grease use a basting brush or paper towel dipped in oil. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop, drizzle or pipe pizzelle batter onto centre of pizzelle plates.
Close pizzelle maker and let cook for 1 to 2 minutes until you get a light golden brown color.
Using a dull knife or offset spatula transfer the warm pizzelle to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Decorate with melted chocolate or powdered sugar.
Storage:
Cooled pizzelle can be kept out if you want them to get crispy with time. Once cooled transfer from wire rack to an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for 2-3 weeks.
You can also freeze them in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months and thaw out in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to serve them, you can sprinkle a little bit of confectioner's sugar on top for a delicate decoration.
If you plan on decorating with melted chocolate do that before serving.
Top Tips
Maintain a runny batter for easy spreading or piping or add more flour for a pizzelle batter that is scoopable.
Use about 2tbsp of pizzelle dough for a 5" pizzelle.
Use a basting brush or towel to coat the iron with oil for only your first pizzelle (if using a non stick pizzelle maker).
Cook pizzelle for 1 minute 20 seconds to 2 minutes.
Use a dull knife or an offset spatula to transfer the warm pizzelle from the pizzelle iron to a wire rack to cool. Let cool completely before stacking.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some great ideas for making different variations of pizzelle cookies with anise:
- Chocolate - decorate the edges with melted chocolate or add cocoa to the mixture to make a chocolate pizzelle
- Vanilla Extract - substitute vanilla extra and eliminate the anise
- Citrus - add a little bit of citrus flavor like lemon zest, orange zest, lemon juice or orange juice.
- Almond extract - substitute almond extract for the anise flavor for a different variation of the original recipe
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
You can make pizzelle shaped cookies baked in the oven with a thicker dough using cookie stamps. Ultimately, it won't be the same crisp texture as the original pizzelle made in an electric pizzelle maker.
Other Christmas Cookies
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe Details
Authentic Italian Pizzelle Cookie Recipe with Anise
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caIngredients
- ½ cup vegetable shortening Crisco, cooking spray or unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp anise extract see notes for substituting anise oil and anise seeds.
- 1 tsp sambuca liquor or grappa
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ tsp vegetable oil to grease pizzelle iron
Instructions
- Melt Crisco vegetable shortening and set aside to cool to touch.½ cup vegetable shortening
- In a small bowl mix eggs and sugar. Add anise and sambuca and cooled shortening.4 large eggs, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp anise extract, 1 tsp sambuca liquor
- Add baking baking powder to egg mixture.2 tsp baking powder
- Add flour to egg mixture a little at a time until you get the consistency you prefer. Maintain a runny batter for easy spreading or piping or add more flour for a pizzelle batter that is scoopable.1½ cups all purpose flour
- Heat up pizzelle maker and grease use a basting brush or paper towel dipped in oil. Scoop (about 2 tbsps of batter), drizzle or pipe pizzelle batter onto centre of pizzelle plates, close pizzelle maker and let cook for 1 to 2 minutes until you get a light golden brown color.¼ tsp vegetable oil
- Using a dull knife or offset spatula transfer the pizzelle to a cooling rack to cool completely
Nutrition
PIN it for later here
Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Claudia says
Just made the authentic Italian pizzelle with anise—crisp, light, and just like the ones my nonna used to make. Thanks for the lovely recipe!
AmyG says
So glad you like it!
Elizabeth says
I was hesitant to make these, but I'm so glad that I did! The work is so worth the result. Beautiful and delicious cookies!
AmyG says
So glad you liked them!
Ashley says
I loved these when we went to Italy and cannot wait to add them to my Christmas cookie baking list. Thanks for the great recipe!
AmyG says
I'd love to hear how they turned out and if you added any special flavorings!
amy liu dong says
These Italian pizzelle cookies are so authentic, delicate, and delicious. My family loved them and I plan to make them during the holidays.
AmyG says
Glad you like it!
paula says
This was my first time trying to make Pizzelle cookies, so I was a little bit nervous, but I shouldn't have been! Your recipe made this tricky feeling cookie achievable, and I love how they turned out!
AmyG says
So glad you that you enjoyed making the recipe!