December 31, 2025

Italian Pizzelle Cookies

Italian Pizzelle Cookies are a thin, crispy waffle-style cookie that are usually anise and/or vanilla flavored and have a delicate texture and beautiful snowflake design. They are one of the oldest and most beloved traditional Italian cookies. Often made during the holidays and special family gatherings, pizzelle cookies are simple to prepare yet full of Italian tradition. These cookies are impossible to resist and taste delicious.

Ingredients needed for Italian Pizzelle Cookies:

3 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup salted butter, melted
1 tsp anise flavoring
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
powdered or confectioner’s sugar to dust cookies if desired

These simple ingredients create a light, crisp cookie with classic Italian flavor. A pizzelle iron is a must to make these cookies. I bought a small iron that makes one cookie at a time, but you can find more expensive pizzelle irons that make several cookies at once. They only take about 1 minute to cook each cookie so the cooking process goes quickly.

How to make Italian Pizzelle Cookies:

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.

Mix in the melted butter, anise and vanilla until combined.

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the batter just until incorporated and smooth.

Preheat your pizzelle iron and lightly grease if needed. (I sprayed the iron with a little cooking spray before starting to cook the cookies but didn’t need to respray in between.)
Spoon a scant 1 tbsp of batter onto the iron and cook about 1 minute or until the cookie is golden and crisp.

Remove the cookies carefully with a fork and cool completely on a wire rack.
If desired trim the edges of the cookies a little with a sharp knife or leave as is. I like to trim a little to make the shape stand out more.

Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, or enjoy plain.

Notes:

Do not stack pizzelle while warm – this traps moisture.
Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. You can dust them with powdered sugar while warm.
Keet batter thick but pourable.
Make sure your pizzelle iron is fully heated before cooking.
You can change up the flavor by using different flavorings: Anise is the traditional Italian flavor, vanilla is kid-friendly, lemon is fresh and bright (use lemon zest), cocoa powder can be added for a rich twist. I like to combine anise with vanilla. If using anise start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. It can be a little strong.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and crispy for up to two weeks.
Avoid refrigerating pizzelle, as moisture can make them soft. If they lose crispiness, a few minutes in a warm oven can help restore their texture.

Other yummy cookie recipes to try: