One of my favorite sweet treats is Pizzelles. You know those thin cookies that look like snow flakes. They are so tasty and delicious but it seems they only time you really ever get to enjoy these treats is either when the bells are jingling at Christmas or for a big Italian style wedding. Well that is not the case today! For Christmas my parents had bought me a Cuisinart Pizzelle Press and like my Madeleine cookie pan, I had yet to use it. I decided to break out my press and make some fabulous Pizzelle cookies for no reason other to enjoy them!
Unfortunately, I do not have an old Italian Nonna who has a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation (but I do have a fantastic Memere who has made some delicious French dishes!) so I had to go to the internet. I found some that sounded good but as I was looking at my instruction manual to my press I found some tasty recipes so I decided to go with those.
The first recipe is the traditional Pizzelle that you will see at Christmas, Weddings, or even at your local grocery store.
This Classic Pizzelle recipe calls for the following ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cup of all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon anise extract (you can use Vanilla also but anise is the traditional flavor)
You will need a pizzelle press to do the rest! First heat your press while preparing your batter.
1. Place your flour and baking powder in a small bowl and stir to combine, set this bowl aside.
2. Place eggs and sugar in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix the eggs and sugar for about a minute or until thickened.
3. On low speed, add the melted butter and anise (or vanilla) in a steady stream and mix until combined, about 15 seconds.
4. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined, about 10 to 15 seconds, do not over mix!
5. Brush both sides of the pizzelle press using a pastry brush. Use a flavorless vegetable oil or melted vegetable shortening before baking.
6. Using a spoon (one should be provided when you purchase your press) drop about 1-1 1/2 teaspoons of batter onto the middle of the patterned cookie grids.
7. Close the lid and lock. Your pizzelle press should have a red light/green light that will tell you when your pizzelle is ready but if doesn't wait about 30 to 45 seconds and your pizzelle should be ready.
8. Using a spatula, remove your finished pizzelles.
9. Place the pizzelles on a cookie sheet to cool.
10. When the pizzelles are completely cooled, dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
The next recipe is not as traditional as the classic pizzelle but believe me it as delicious!
The Double Chocolate Pizzelle is great with ice cream - make a tasty ice cream sandwich using your favorite flavor! These pizelles call for the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flower
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ounces of very finley chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
Heat your pizzelle press up while making the batter.
1. First you will place your flour, cocoa, chopped chocolate, and baking powder in a small bowl. Whisk this to combine and put it aside.
2. Place eggs and sugar in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium
speed, mix the eggs and sugar for about a minute or until thickened.
3. On low speed, add the melted butter and vanilla in a steady stream and mix until combined, about 15 seconds.
4. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined, about 10 to 15 seconds, do not over mix!
5. Brush both sides of the pizzelle press using a pastry brush. Use a
flavorless vegetable oil or melted vegetable shortening before baking.
6. Using a spoon (one should be provided when you purchase your press)
drop about 1-1 1/2 teaspoons of batter onto the middle of the patterned cookie grids.
7. Close the lid and lock. Your pizzelle press should have a red
light/green light that will tell you when your pizzelle is ready but if
doesn't wait about 30 to 45 seconds and your pizzelle should be ready.
8. Using a spatula, remove your finished pizzelles.
9. Place the pizzelles on a cookie sheet to cool.
10. When the pizzelles are completely cooled, dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
The final result should look something like this! Do not worry of your pizzelles are not perfectly round, they taste better imperfect!
I will be having guests over tomorrow, so I bagged up my pizzelles and tied them off with a nice pink ribbon to give to my friends and family to enjoy!