Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe (2024)

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This gingerbread pizzelle recipe makes authentic Italian Christmas pizzelles. These holiday cookies have a crisp texture and delicious ginger snaps flavour. Aromatic cinnamon, ginger and cloves add a spicy touch to the pizzelle cookies, while molasses gives them a rich sweetness. This Christmas cookie is a holiday tradition.

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Looking for a holiday season Italian cookie that everyone will love? Try this gingerbread pizzelle recipe and you will find they make amazing gifts as well as delicious treats for everyone at home. This is a classic Italian Christmas cookie you’ll love!

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Ingredients for Italian Pizzelle Cookies

The basic staples of eggs, sugar, melted butter or margarine, flour, and baking soda combine for the perfect pizzelles. And then you have cinnamon, clove, ginger, and molasses adding that authentic, delicious and festive flavor.

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The last ingredients are some salt, vinegar, non-stick oil for cooking, and some powdered sugar for decorating them.

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How to Make Christmas Pizzelles

Are you ready to make a batch of classic Italian pizzelle cookie treats as one of your Italian Christmas Eve recipes?

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The first step is to preheat a pizzelle iron. Next mix the eggs with the sugar, and then blend in the salt and spices. Add the butter or margarine, molasses and vinegar and stir well, before adding the flour and baking soda dry ingredients.

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Grease your preheated pizzelle press and add some of the batter. Close the lid and cook for about 45 seconds or until the cookie is golden brown. Remove the cookie with a spatula and it let cool on a cooling rack, where it will crisp up.

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Repeat with the rest of the pizzelle batter until you have all your hot pizzelles cooling on the rack. And you must use a wire rack here, so air can circulate all the way around the cookies and crisp them up.

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Once they’re completely cool, you can dust each Italian cookie with powdered sugar if you want. Keep them in an airtight container if you can resist eating the warm pizzelle cookies!

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Pizzelle Recipe Variations

If you love this gingerbread pizzelle recipe, I expect you’ll also love the variations! Some people like to make them with vanilla extract and almond extract, while others go for anise seeds or anise extract (which tastes like black licorice). Others like to experiment with ground cardamom or even cocoa powder for a chocolate taste. Brown sugar can also be used instead of granulated sugar. There is nothing better than a savory pizzelle!

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Some bakers even like to dip their batch of pizzelles in chocolate bark or melted chocolate.

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So if you want to try some of these, divide the pizzelle dough up and flavour each one differently. That way, you can make different flavours of these traditional Italian waffle cookies in the same batch.

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For a gluten free version, use gluten-free flour instead of all purpose flour. This authentic Italian pizzelle recipe tastes just as good when made gluten free.

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How to Use a Pizzelle Iron

Although most can be simply closed and left alone for 45 seconds, some (including the Dash brand) should be pressed down for the first half of the cooking time. This is so the lid doesn’t rise up and produce a less crispy cookie. Check the manufacturer’s directions before using.

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If they aren’t coming out crispy, you either aren’t leaving them in there for long enough or else you’re in a humid climate, in which case pop them in a 200 degrees F oven to dry them out a little more.

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Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe FAQs

How do you keep pizzelles crispy?

The crisp texture is one of the best thing about this Christmas cookie. But they won’t stay crispy for long. Cover them lightly and store them at room temperature.

A paper or plastic bag would work. They should stay crispy all week if you make sure you don’t store them until completely cooled. Else the steam will still come out and this will lead to them getting soggy.

Something else you might like to do is prepare the Italian cookie dough ahead and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days before bring the pizzelle batter back up to room temperature. You can then proceed with the recipe.

If your pizzelles have gone soft, you can put them on a sheet pan and bake in an oven that’s been preheated to 300 degrees F. Just turn the oven off when you put the cookies in there and leave them in there for an hour, so some of the crispiness is restored.

Can I use something other than a pizzelle iron?

Although there are replacements, only a pizzelle iron or pizzelle maker will make authentic Christmas pizzelles because it presses them to the right shape, gets them nice and thin (to make them crispy!) and has the right baking time to cook them right without burning them. You can use a pizzelle press to make cannoli shells, so they are good for more than Italian cookies.

If you don’t have one, you could try a griddle and pressing the cookies down or even a waffle iron. But again you aren’t going to get the right pattern on the cookies and they won’t be thin and crispy either.

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Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe (19)

Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe

Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe (20)

Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Course: Sweets

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Christmas, Cookies

Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 30

Calories: 74kcal

Author: Bella Bucchiotti

This gingerbread pizzelle recipe makes authentic Italian Christmas pizzelles. These holiday cookies have a crisp texture and a ginger snaps flavour. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves add a spicy touch to the pizzelle cookies, while molasses gives them a rich sweetness.

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Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • ½ Cup sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon ginger
  • ½ Teaspoon clove
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
  • ½ Cup margarine melted
  • ¼ Cup molasses
  • 1 ¾ Cups flour
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • icing sugar for dusting
  • spray oil for cooking on iron

Instructions

  • Preheat your pizzelle iron.

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until it becomes slightly frothy.

  • Add in the spices and salt, mix well.

  • Add the melted butter, vinegar, and molasses, mix again.

  • Add the flour and baking soda, mix until fully combined.

  • Lightly oil the pizzelle iron

  • Scoop about one tablespoon of batter onto the open iron, you may need to adjust how much batter you use per cookie based on the iron you’re using. Close the lid and cook the pizzelle for approximately 45 seconds, check and cook longer as needed. The cookies should be golden when they are done.

  • Use a thin heat safe spatula (a pie server works well) and gently lift the pizzelle off of the iron. Place the cookie onto a wire cooling rack. As the cookie cools it will become crisp.

  • When cooled, eat as-is or dust with a generous amount of powdered sugar.

  • Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Join me on Facebook!Like @XOXOBellaBucchiotti on Facebook for more recipe ideas


The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

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A gingerbread pizzelle recipe isn’t something to omit from your Christmas time baking. They’re perfect for Christmas gift giving and this classic pizzelle recipe is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Enjoy gingerbread pizzelles with ice cream or just as they are.

This classic Italian cookie recipe will be a cookie that you make year after year. Tasty thin Italian waffle cookies are perfect with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. These classic pizzelles are a great idea for holiday gifts.

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Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe (34)
Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe (35)

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for recipes, dogs, sustainability, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.

Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance food, travel, and lifestyle writer for MSN and the Associated Press Wire.

Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my pizzelles not crunchy? ›

Pizzelles should be crunchy! They're a thin, light, crispy cookie. If your pizelles are soft, it means they have absorbed moisture from the air or they weren't cooked enough.

Why is my pizzelle batter so thick? ›

Some recipes use baking powder in their batter – this gives a slightly softer, thicker pizzelle. Add 2 teaspoons of baking powder with the flour and salt to try this method. This recipe produces a crisp, thin cookie. The ground anise seed adds some texture and flavor.

How do you keep Pizzelle cookies crisp? ›

The best way to keep pizzelle cookies nice and crisp is to make sure they are cooled completely before storing or stacking. They're best stored wrapped in aluminum foil but you can also use plastic bags, containers, or cookie tins once cooled.

How do you harden pizzelles? ›

Let cookies remain in warm oven for an hour or longer to dry out. This should help return some of the crispiness to the pizzelles.

Is butter or margarine better for pizzelles? ›

As far as the fat used in pizzelle, some recipes will call for oil, others margarine, lard or Crisco. But having tried other fats, I always return to unsalted butter. They crisp up nicely, don't have an oily aftertaste, and cook to perfection in their special pizzelle press.

Why are my cookies soft instead of crunchy? ›

Soft cookies have a water concentration of 6% or higher – moisture being the variable in texture. To make cookies crispy, add less liquid or bake it in the oven for longer to dry out the dough.

Should I spray my pizzelle maker? ›

Oil - it could very well be that modern pizzelle makers are so "nonstick" that you do not need to use any cooking spray. Am noting here that when you research recipes, you may encounter a debate about whether or not to use oil or butter. For years our family uses a light spray of cooking oil as needed - it's just fine.

What does pizzelle mean in italian? ›

A Crispy History

Pizzelles, the oldest known waffle cookies, originated in Italy. The name pizzelle is based on the Italian word 'pizze' meaning round and flat, with the ending 'elle' referring to its small size.

Why are my pizzelles sticking to the pizzelle maker? ›

A: Did you coat the pizzele maker with oil before starting to make a batch? That's the first thing you must do each time. Put a little oil on it, wipe up the excess and heat it up!

What is the best container for pizzelles? ›

*Tip: Make sure you fully cool your pizzelles and do not cover for several hours as they will get mushy and soft – you want them to stay crispy! That's why I love my metal tin or glass containers – they keep them nice and fresh!

How long are homemade pizzelles good for? ›

Storage: Store Pizzelle at room temperature for up to 2 weeks (for best results, layer the cookies between pieces of parchment paper or wax paper). Freezer: Pack cooled Pizzelle in a sturdy container between layers of parchment or wax paper (they may get broken if they are just in plastic bags).

Do pizzelles expire? ›

Pizzelles have a decent shelf life. To keep them tasting fresh and crunchy, stack them between pieces of parchment in an airtight container. They can also be popped in the freezer for a few months or left on the counter for a few days.

How do Italians eat pizzelles? ›

It is also common to sandwich two pizzelle with cannoli cream (ricotta blended with sugar) or hazelnut spread. Pizzelle, while still warm, can also be rolled into a tubular shape using a wooden dowel to create cannoli shells.

What else can you use a pizzelle maker for? ›

Things to do with my pizzelle maker
  • Italian White Chocolate S'mores - A Night Owl Blog. ...
  • Colourful. ...
  • 'Waffle' Breakfast 'Sushi' by tablespoon via normalrecipe #Breakfast #Sushi. ...
  • Trubochki - Cream Filled Pizzelles (Трубочки с Кремом) ...
  • Heavenly Chocolate Mousse Cannoli. ...
  • food, family, life and photography.

How old are pizzelles? ›

Some say their heritage can be traced to a similar Roman sweet dating to the 8th century and called crustule or crustulum. Also known by the names ferratelle or cancelle, pizzelle means little pizza and comes from the Italian word “pizze,” meaning round or flat.

Why are my crinkle cookies not crinkling? ›

Why are my crinkle cookies not crinkling? If the dough is too wet, then it will dissolve the sugar and the crinkle will get lost. In order for a defined crinkle to form, the surface of the dough needs to be dry. If your cookies are not crinkling then there is too much free water in the dough.

Do you grease a pizzelle iron? ›

Heat your pizzelle maker, grease it with a little olive oil and add a generous spoon of your batter. Remove the excess batter with a fork (and remember like Nonna to always clean the stove when you finish!). Lay the cooked pizzelle on the table as they will dry faster.

Do you have to grease a pizzelle iron? ›

Pizzelle are made on a pizzelle iron, which works a lot like a waffle iron. Add the batter to the heated iron (it usually only needs to be greased for the first batch), then close and cook for about 90 seconds.

Why don't my cookies have crinkles? ›

If you think about it, decorative sugars are meant to keep their structure throughout the baking; the crystals look the same when they come out of the oven as when they go in. That won't make any crinkles. They recommend rolling in granulated sugar and then powdered sugar for maximum crackle.

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