Classic Anise Pizzelles

Ingredients

• 6 eggs (At room temperature)
• 1.5 cup sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (Melted and cooled)
• 3.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp anise oil (Flavoring option; use instead of anise extract and anise seeds)
• 1.5 tbsp anise extract (Flavoring option; use instead of anise oil and anise seeds)
• 1 tbsp anise seeds (Optional flavoring used with the anise extract; crush lightly with a mortar and pestle)
• cooking spray (Spray the pizzelle iron before each cookie)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the pizzelle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.

2. 2

   Beat the room-temperature eggs and sugar together until the sugar is dissolved.

3. 3

   Add the melted, cooled butter a little at a time, mixing as it is incorporated.

4. 4

   Add the selected flavoring. If using anise seeds, first crush them lightly with a mortar and pestle, then add them to the mixture.

5. 5

   Fluff the flour and baking powder together with a fork.

6. 6

   Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture in three additions, stirring only until just combined. Do not overmix.

7. 7

   Before making each cookie, spray the pizzelle iron with cooking spray.

8. 8

   Ladle the recommended amount of batter into the preheated iron. Cook according to the iron manufacturer's instructions until the pizzelle is set and lightly browned.

9. 9

   Remove each pizzelle carefully with a popsicle stick or scraper, especially during the first few cookies, which may stick. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Notes

Makes approximately 50–60 5-inch cookies. The source gives flavoring as alternatives: 1 tablespoon anise oil, or 1½ tablespoons anise extract plus 1 tablespoon anise seeds. The source does not specify an exact pizzelle-iron cooking time, batter amount, or temperature; follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cookie
• Italian
• pizzelle
• vegetarian
• baking
• pizzelle iron
• holiday