Pizzelles

I have been eating pizzelles for as long as I can remember. Many of you probably have never heard of them. Growing up in NE Ohio we were surrounded by people with different heritages (we are Scotch Irish). One that was represented largely...Italian. We had many, wonderful Italian friends. The Pizzelle is an Italian cookie that is like a small, crispy, flat waffle. When we lived in Ohio they were easy to find, but moving south it was not so. They require a special "maker" so I couldn't just whip them up in the kitchen. We missed those cookies until my mom found a small pizzelle maker (pictured below). Now I have been making pizzelle cookies for several years. The batter is very easy to make, but I will warn you it takes some time to make them. I only have an iron that bakes 2 at a time. But my family will tell you they are worth it.

Ingredients
6 eggs
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c melted margarine, cooled
1 tbsp vanilla or anise extract (the original flavor of pizzelles is anise, but not many people like black licorice)
3 1/2 c cake flour
4 tsp baking powder

Directions
Beat eggs, add sugar gradually - beat until smooth. Add cooled margarine & vanilla (or anise). Add flour & baking powder - beat until smooth. By teaspoons, place batter on pizzelle iron. Cook for about 40 seconds or until golden in color.

Here is my pizzelle maker (visit Amazon to purchase one)

The batter is thick like a pancake/waffle batter.

Drop batter by the teaspoon onto the hot iron.


Pizzelle are golden when done
(as you can see I can never get the exact amount of batter to make the perfect pizzelle)