Pizzelles are traditional Italian waffle cookies and often served during Christmas and Easter. They can be hard and crisp or soft and chewy depending on the ingredients. It is also common for two pizzelles to be sandwiched with cannoli cream or other spreads.
They are easy to mold into various shapes while they are still warm, such as cannoli using a wood or metal dowel as shown below.
You do need a pizzelle iron to be held by hand over a hot burner or use an electric one like I have. These are the perfect cookies to make not only for the holidays but when you don’t want to turn your oven on. They take less than a minute to cook! I have the four small pizzelle imprints iron but they do make one that has only two imprints and thus bigger cookies! I gave that one to a sister…
I have always made the traditional “pizzelles” using anisette (liquor) or anise extract. With a love for anything “maple” I decided to try this new version using maple sugar and maple extract. See also Pizzelles Two Ways; one made with anisette and the other chocolate.
Pizzelles with Maple Sugar and Maple Extract
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup maple sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp. pure maple extract
- confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl and make a well in the center. In another bowl mix the eggs, granulated sugar, maple sugar, vegetable oil and maple extract until well combined.
Preheat your pizzelle iron and lightly spray or brush the inside iron with vegetable oil. Spoon about 1 tsp. (1 tbsp. if using 2 imprint iron) batter into the center of each imprint. Close the iron and cook until there is no more steam coming out, about 45 seconds. You need to watch or maybe even set a timer so you do not overcook them which is very easy to do. Everyone still enjoyed them…
Remove each soft cookie from the iron with a spatula and place on a cooling rack; repeat. The cookies will become crisp right away. Lightly dust each pizzelle with confectioners’ sugar before serving if desired.
Makes about 30
http://cookingwithauntjuju.com/2018/09/10/pizzelles-with-m…nd-maple-extract/
Linking to Angie for a special Fiesta Friday #250 and the “J Crew” Jenny @ Apply To Face Blog., Jess @ Cooking Is My Sport, Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook and Judi @ cookingwithauntjuju.com
Wow,but I don’t have a iron like yours. Nice share👌
Thanks – it’s a good cookie especially if you place cannoli cream between two of them.
Pizzelles are fab! 😍
Most definitely – especially on the Italian side of my family 🙂
I’m a big fan of anise pizzelles, but love this version!
Me too but it was fun to try a “different flavor”, especially since I like maple so much!
Same here! 🙂
These are so pretty. And I love how you tied them up with pretty string! Love maple flavor.
Thanks Mimi – my family loves these any time of the year 🙂
I’ve not had these, but they look wonderful. We have a Swedish waffle make that makes thin heart shaped waffles. I’m going to see how your Pizzelle recipe works on our Swedish waffle maker. Thanks for the inspiration.
You’re welcome Ron – these are so easy to make and you can kick them up with some cannoli cream in between 2 cookies and a dusting of powdered sugar. I would be interested in seeing your Swedish waffle cookies 🙂
I’ve never made pizzelles but if I did I’m sure they wouldn’t come out as perfectly as these beauties! They’d definitely fancy up a Christmas cookie platter.
Sure they would Julie – they are one of the easiest cookies to make. We usually make them every year for our holiday cookie table.
Aunt Juju, did you make the maple sugar? I heard they can be made at home and it is so easy. These Pizzelles look so perfect. Though I havent’t eaten one, I know that they are so yummy especially with the maple sugar and extract. Thanks for co-hosting with us and happy 250th Fiesta Friday!!
Thanks Jhuls – no I didn’t make the sugar. There is a process of boiling maple syrup and it’s so easy to just buy it. Happy 250th – hard to believe Jhuls 🙂
I adore your pizzelle iron! Such lovely cookies, Judi! 😀
Thanks Antonia – the bigger iron makes nice “ice cream cones”. I preferred the smaller one and gave the bigger one to my Italian side of the family 🙂
I love this idea!
These must be so delicious! I adore maple syrup. And I like the addition of nutmeg in this recipe.
Me too – maple syrup is a favorite in Michigan with all our maple trees. Nutmeg always adds some nice flavor.
These are so addicting! They would make a perfect gift the way you tied them with twine.
Thanks Ralu – you can’t eat just one for sure! A few cookies tied up and placed in a small bag would indeed be great for gift giving. Any cookie would be for that matter 🙂
Agreed! Homemade edible gifts are my favorite
Something new, something to try. Thanks – Friday Fiesta rocks.
That happens to me all the time Rita – thanks!
I love pizzelles! They are so simple yet so delicious and pretty. Thanks for sharing!
Me too Lily – they do make a pretty addition to your holiday table!
These look just delicious and I am so envious of your waffle machine. It is gorgeous! I love the idea of them as a gift. I keep meaning to make some homemade gifts this year too. I will have to ask for a pizelle iron for an early Xmas present! Thank you for sharing and cohosting at #FiestaFriday
Thanks Jenny – I like the smaller iron for cookies and the bigger iron for waffle cones for ice cream 🙂