Italian Pizzelle for cannoli ✨
Ingredients
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup melted butter (or vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or anise if you like traditional)
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Heat your pizzelle iron and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
2. In a bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until pale and slightly thick.
3. Stir in melted butter and vanilla.
4. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until smooth (batter will be thick).
5. Drop 1 tablespoon batter onto each iron plate.
6. Close iron and cook 30–60 seconds until lightly golden.
7. Remove and fold into a cylinder shape & place a toothpick until hardened.
If you're looking to add an authentic touch to your homemade cannoli, using Italian pizzelle as the shell is a delightful alternative to the traditional fried dough. Pizzelle are thin, crisp waffle cookies that originate from Abruzzo, Italy, and they are often flavored with vanilla or anise for a fragrant, sweet aroma. Making pizzelle requires a special pizzelle iron, which presses the batter into its characteristic delicate, round shapes with intricate designs. The batter itself is simple yet flavorful. Combining eggs, sugar, melted butter (or vegetable oil), and vanilla extract creates a rich base. The optional addition of anise extract or seeds can provide a more traditional flavor similar to classic cannoli shells. The leavening agents—baking powder and a pinch of salt—are important to help the pizzelle achieve just the right texture: crisp but not overly hard. Cooking pizzelle takes only about 30 to 60 seconds in a preheated iron until they are lightly golden brown. Once cooked, quickly roll them into cylinder shapes using a toothpick or cannoli form while they are still hot and pliable. Letting them cool will harden the shell perfectly, creating a crunchy shell ready to be filled with your favorite sweet ricotta filling. This recipe is not only delicious but also versatile. You can experiment with different flavorings such as lemon zest, almond extract, or even cocoa powder incorporated into the batter. Pizzelle can be enjoyed on their own as cookies or used as festive cannoli shells for Christmas desserts or other celebrations. The use of pizzelle for cannoli shells offers a lighter, non-fried option that brings an authentic Italian flair to your kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to showcase traditional Italian holiday baking with relatively simple ingredients and steps, perfect for bakers of any skill level wishing to impress their guests with an elegant and flavorful treat.
