PizzellesPrint Recipe

We are quickly heading into the cookie season with the festivities just around the corner. The first being Thanksgiving and the second being Christmas (for me), Hanukkah for some and simply ‘holidays’ for others.

I vowed last year that I would make a different cookie every week in the lead up to these celebrations and I am a little behind – so from here on in it is all about the cookies. I am certain I will deviate from my plan with a last minute whim or food fancy but I promise to delight you with lots of sweet holiday treats.

Pizzelles are an Italian treat, a type of thin golden brown wafer/cookie that is cooked in a a pizzelle iron or a pizzelle machine which is very similar to a waffle iron. The pizzelle iron stamps a snowflake pattern onto the cookie which crisps up when removed from the heat.

Since borrowing the pizzelle machine from the Connolly family, I have made them twice and delighted both recipients. In fact, I myself am delighted at these beautiful cookies, little golden brown wafers with pretty snow flake impressions – perfect for a white Christmas and perfect for any holiday celebration.

Ingredients
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons anise extract or vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour, sifted
4 teaspoons baking powder

Beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the melted butter and anise extract. Combine the flour and baking powder and stir in gradually. Your dough will be very sticky.

Preheat your pizzelle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the iron. Close and cook for about 30 seconds. Carefully remove and cool. Store in an airtight tin at room temperature.

Notes: Pizzelles can be dusted with icing suagr for a really pretty effect. They can also be formed into ice cream cones and shells for cannoli before they crisp up.

Source: allrecipes.com

© 2011, Michelle. All rights reserved.