Pizzelle are one of my all time favorite cookies to make over the holidays. Whether it is Christmas or Easter, they are something I grew up having and can take me right back to my childhood every time I make them.

For those of you who are not familiar with pizelles, they are a traditional Italian waffle cookie that can be hard and crisp or soft and chewy depending on the ingredients and how they are prepared. These yummy Italian cookies can also be moulded into a bowl to serve ice cream in or the shape of a cannoli and filled with ricotta and sugar. My mom use to take two pizzelle cookies and make an ice cream sandwich with them – so good!

How they are made is, the cookie batter is placed in the center of a pizzelle iron (very similar to a waffle iron) and the iron stamps what looks like a snowflake pattern on both sides and cooks the cookie until both sides are a light golden colour.

Traditionally the pizzelle iron is held by hand over a hot burner on the stovetop but now you can get electric irons that are so much easier to use. Whatever your preference for baking them may be, there is one thing for sure and that is that these cookies are addicting.

Here is what you will need: 

• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 3 tbsp on anise or vanilla
• 2 tbsp of dark rum
• 1 cup of melted margarine
• 3 1/2 cups of flour
• 4 tsp of baking powder

Here is how to make them:

• Beat together eggs, sugar, extract and rum.
• Add the melted margarine.
• Add the flour and baking baking powder.
• Mix together until well blended. the batter will be sticky but loose enough to be dropped by the spoonful onto the pizzelle maker.
• Bake according to manufactures instructions.

I hope this recipe inspires you to be creative in your kitchen – enjoy!