Anise Pizzelle and Chocolate Orange Pizzelle

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Pizzelle are Italian cookies traditionally made at Christmas.  They resemble small waffles and are made using either an electric pizzelle baker or a stove top pizzelle iron.  The basic recipe consists of butter or oil, flour, baking powder,sugar and eggs; then a variety of extracts and spices can be added to the batter (for example: vanilla, anise, almond or orange extracts, cinnamon, cardamom or anise spices).  Pizzelle can also replace the fried cannoli shells when making cannoli.  Shape the pizzelle by wrapping it around a cannoli tube or other cylinder object while it is still hot off the grill. 

These delicious cookies make a great addition to a Christmas cookie tray or as part of a Christmas cookie gift basket. They store well for days in an airtight container, but they won't last that long.

Anise Pizelle Italian Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup melted butter or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon anise extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 

How to Make the Anise Pizzelle Italian Cookies:

1. Beat eggs and sugar until thick. 
2. Add canola oil or butter, vanilla and anise extracts and continue beating until mixture is well combined.
3. Sift flour and balking powder and stir into the egg mixture.
4. Drop one teaspoon of batter onto the griddle of the electric pizzelle baker and bake until golden light brown in colour (approximately 30 seconds depending on the brand of the electric pizzelle baker).
5. Remove and cool on wire rack.
6. Store pizzelle in airtight container.

Chocolate Orange Pizzelle Italian Cookies
 
To the pizzelle recipe above, add 3 tablespoons cocoa and 3 tablespoons to flour mixture.  Replace the teaspoon of anise extract with 1 teaspoon orange extract and add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips if desired.

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