Pizzelles

 This is the crunchy, versatile Pizzelle, as included on our tiered cookie display at Desserts in Wonderland. The Pizzelle is an Italian cookie that is made using a Pizzelle iron, which is similar to a waffle iron. Great as thin and crispy cookies, but they can also be molded when they are still hot to be like a cannoli shell and filled or shaped into an edible bowl for a scoop of ice cream. If you have a Pizzelle iron or Brazeli press, give these a try!

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

6 large eggs (at room temp)

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

zest from 2 lemons

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (may also use lemon extract for more lemony cookies)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder.

In the bowl of an electric mixer (or using a handheld mixer), beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Slowly drizzle in the cooled, melted butter and vanilla extract. Add the zest. Slowly add the flour mixture until fully incorporated. Do not overmix. This dough will be sticky.

Preheat your pizzelle iron. Once heated, using a small ice cream scoop, scoop about a tablespoon of the batter onto the iron. Gently press down for a couple seconds to spread the dough. Let cook about 90 seconds until golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Carefully remove and let cool flat for flat cookies or place on a rolling pin while hot to cool and mold into a curved shape.

Store airtight at room temperature.