Learn how to make classic Italian pizzelle cookies four ways: vanilla, anise, citrus, and chocolate! 

After spending months cooking in Italy, Italian is one of my very favorite types of food to make. If you’re looking for a fun and tasty Italian cookie to make for Christmas (or anytime), you must try these classic Pizzelle cookies. 

Pizzelle are thin, crisp wafer-like cookies that aren’t too sweet and are delicious for dessert or with a cup of coffee. Here is everything you need to know to make, store, and serve these Italian cookies. 

What are Pizzelle Cookies? 

Pizzelle are flat pressed Italian cookies similar to very thin crisp waffles. They can be made in different shapes, like pizzelle cones and pizzelle wafers. They are often served at Christmastime, but they can be enjoyed all year round.

There are many different stories and legends surrounding the pizzelle’s origins, but no one knows for sure where they came from. Some believe they were the first-ever cookies made and originated in Abruzzo, in central Italy. Others believe the pizzelle recipe was brought over by the Arabs when they invaded Sicily in the 9th century.

Like most Italian recipes, the styles vary from north to south. Southern Italian pizzelle tend to be thicker and heavier than the recipe here. 

You can find store-bought pizzelle in Italian grocery stores and many mainstream grocery stores such as Whole Foods, but they’re much more fun to make at home.  

What You’ll Need 

Pizzelle are a thin Italian cookie made from flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs and can also contain vanilla extract or other flavors. Some pizzelle recipes call for lemon zest, cocoa powder, or aniseed as well. 

You can make gluten-free pizzelle by substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour such as the one made by Bob’s Red Mill. 

Buying and Using a Pizzelle Maker

We have an entire article dedicated to reviewing the Best Pizzelle Makers so you can find the best one for your needs. 

Pizzelle makers are easy to use. While the first presses were used over a fire or stove, most today are electric presses that work just like waffle irons but with much thinner plates. The pizzelle iron gives the pizzelle their distinctive shape and also helps them to stay thin and crispy.

I do not recommend trying to make this classic Italian cookie recipe without a pizzelle press. Be sure to read our guide, as there are small and affordable presses available. 

Serving Suggestions and Variations 

• Fill two cookies with ice cream or gelato for an Italian take on ice cream sandwiches. 
• Roll hot pizzelle into cylinders and fill with cannoli fillings. 
• Roll hot pizzelle into cones for ice cream cones. 
• Dust with powdered sugar. 
• Serve with a classic Affogato or thick Italian hot chocolate. 
• Enjoy with a hot mug of Mulled Wine. 
• Dip one edge of the cookies into melted chocolate. 

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