Pizzelle

These thin, crisp waffle cookies are traditionally made at Christmas and Easter. The name comes from the Italian word for “round” or “flat” (the word pizza has the same origin).

Makes: About 60 pizzelle

Ingredients

6 eggs

3½ cups flour

1½ cups sugar

1 cup margarine (½ lb.), melted and cooled

4 tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. vanilla or anise extract

Pizzelle iron

1. In a medium bowl, beat eggs.
2. Gradually stir in sugar and beat until smooth.
3. Add cooled margarine and vanilla.
4. Sift flour and baking powder and add to egg mixture. Blend until smooth.
5. Drop the batter mixture one teaspoon at a time onto the pizzelle iron.
6. Bake according to the pizelle iron specifications, usually between 20 and 45 seconds.
7. Carefully remove cookies from the pizelle iron and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.