Pizzelle Cookies - An Italian Christmas Tradition

In December of 2012, I wrote a post about Pizzelle Cookies, how my dad would make them every year, and how I was super excited about my own CucinaPro Pizzelle Maker that I purchased from my cousin Dino earlier that year at Valente's Deli Bakery & Italian Market. I also said that I was excited about starting an annual tradition in my home to continue the pizzelle making each year with my own family.  

Well.  That didn't happen.  But it's OK - I had other areas of my life that required focus!

This year - the tradition started again.  I only made 8 batches and happily shared them with close friends and neighbors as well as a couple of colleagues who live nearby.  My cousin Matt made some pretty cool looking half and half pizzelle cookies a couple of weeks ago - I had high ambition to make that happen, but opted for vanilla instead.  

My dad used to make them every year - lots of them.  My brother, along with many other family members have kept up this tradition that holds strong within my large Italian family.   I followed the recipe my dad always used (less the anise) and made vanilla pizzelle cookies this year.  I'll make the traditional anise ones next year!  

My dad always made them at the kitchen counter with a dish towel draped over his shoulder (or around his neck in this photo!)  I made sure I did the same, there is something about the dish towel over the shoulder that makes the cookies just that much more special :)

Photo Taken By: Scott Leisure

What family baking or cooking traditions do you still follow?  

Traditional Italian Pizzelle Cookies
Makes about 4 dozen - this is a double batch
{If you want to make vanilla pizzelle cookies, omit the anise seed}

2 sticks of margarine, melted or at room temperature
1 1/3 cup sugar
6 eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
dash salt
anise seed (1 tablespoon or to taste)

Combine the sugar into the melted butter in a large bowl.  Add the remaining ingredients, stirring after each one.  You can also combine the ingredients in a stand mixer or food processor.

Using a pizzelle iron, make the cookies according to the manufacturer's directions.  As they are made, let cool on a wire rack, then stack in batches of 12.