What are Pizzelle Christmas Cookies? | Choosing the Best Pizzelle Maker | 3 Tips for Making the Best Christmas Pizzelles
Eating one of these spiced orange pizzelle cookies is like eating a bite of Christmas.
When you take a bite, you’ll get that warm and cozy feeling from the spices, and the joy comes from the orange flavor. This is such a simple cookie to make, but always a crowd-pleaser. Read below for the recipe.
What are Pizzelle Christmas Cookies?
A pizzelle Christmas cookie consists of sugar, butter, eggs, flour, leavening, orange zest, and Christmas spices. This recipe is a variation of the classic Italian cookie made in a small cookie press (also known as a pizzelle maker).
If you want to feel all the warmth and cozies of the holidays, then you absolutely need to make these orange pizzelle cookies. You’ll feel like you have just tasted Christmas, literally.
Okay…maybe a little dramatic, but that’s how it felt when I ate one for the first time during recipe testing.
The cookie batter is somewhat thick for this recipe, but it produces really crisp and delicate cookies.
If you don’t want to flavor this with orange and Christmas spices, here are some other variations to try:
- Lemon zested pizzelles
- Chocolate orange pizzelles
- Coconut lime
- Cinnamon
- Almond
Note that a traditional pizzelle cookie is made with Anise oil, but I am not very fond of Anise, so you won’t find it in most of my recipes. You are certainly welcome to try it if you want the really traditional taste though!
Choosing the Best Pizzelle Maker
When it comes to choosing the best pizzelle press, there are many options out there.
Here are a few things to consider when you are searching:
First, are the reviews good? I always look at reviews first because they are usually pretty telling. Just because some brands are expensive and prestigious- that doesn’t always mean that they are the best.
Second, do you want a pizzelle press that makes traditional-size or mini pizzelles? If you plan to roll the pizzelles up, get the traditional size so they are big enough to fill with a delicious filling.
Third, is it metal or nonstick? Some of the nonstick pizzelle makers deliver inconsistent results while others perform well.
The same can be said for traditional pizzelle makers, but there are some good brands and presses out there that work great.
Sometimes there are issues with the pizzelle batter sticking to the metal presses as they bake, but I have rarely encountered that problem.
If you have a good recipe, it shouldn’t be a problem. I never spray or grease my press, and my pizzelles come out beautifully.
For this particular recipe, I used the cucinopro pizzelle maker, and it works really well.
So which one is the best? I’m not sure there is a “best.” The two I have included above are both great choices, but it also comes down to design and personal preference.
3 Tips for Making the Best Christmas Pizzelles
1. Whisk the Pizzelle Batter
There is no need for a mixer for this very simple batter. To make the best Christmas pizzelle cookies, whisk the ingredients at each step.
No need for super intense whisking of the eggs either. Gentle to moderate mixing works great, and it gives you a very delicate and delicious cookie.
2. Rest the Batter
Cover and rest the batter for 30 – 60 minutes after mixing. This gives the gluten time to relax, and the dry ingredients can better absorb the wet during that time. It also gives the flavors time to meld together.
Do NOT refrigerate the batter, as it makes the batter too stiff.
The pizzelle batter will slip and slide around the pizzelle maker as you try to close it if the batter is cold. I tried this and the batter moved really far forward, and then it didn’t fill in at the back of the cookie press.
If you absolutely need to refrigerate the batter because you can’t make them right away, set the pizzelle batter out at room temperature for at least an hour so it’s nice and soft again.
3. Portion the Cookies
While it might seem more rustic and whimsical to use two spoons to portion the batter onto the pizzelle press, I’m all about getting good and consistent results.
For the best results, use a tablespoon cookie scoop (for a traditional size pizzelle maker).
Portion a slightly heaping scoop onto each cookie design slightly toward the back of the maker, and close slowly to allow the batter to spread evenly.
Pizzelles cook quickly, so they shouldn’t stay in the press for more than 1-2 minutes.
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
PrintOrange Pizzelle Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 190 g granulated sugar (3/4 cup + 3 Tbs)
- 141 g unsalted butter, melted (10 Tbs)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 210 g all-purpose flour (1 3/4 c)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- Chocolate(optional)
- Pizzelle Maker
Instructions
- Combine eggs and sugar in a medium sized bowl and whisk until they are pale and light in color.
- Whisk in the melted butter. Next, add the vanilla, orange zest, and salt and whisk.
- Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until batter comes together. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the batter to rest for **1 hour.
- Heat pizzelle maker according to directions. Place a heaping tablespoon of dough on the back center third of each pizzelle pattern (find the center, and place the batter just a little farther toward the back of the press), and close the maker. Allow the cookies to cook just until they are lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes (time depends on maker).
- Place the orange pizzelle cookies on a cooling rack and allow them to cool. Drizzle with chocolate if desired, but they are delicious just as they are! Alternately, if you want to roll and fill them with cream, roll the cookies immediately after they come off the press.
- Store pizzelle cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. Cookies can also be frozen for up to a month.
Notes
**You can also chill the batter for up to 24 hours, but it’s best if you don’t refrigerate it. Allow the batter to sit out at room temperature for an hour before using it though so the batter is softer and spreads easier in the pizzelle maker.
Keywords: orange pizzelle cookies, pizzelle maker
