Welcome to the world of Italian family cookie traditions with Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies! Pizzelle cookies are a light, crisp, slightly sweet Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and flavoring.
For generations, Italian families have been making pizzelle with the help of a pizzelle iron - a device that looks like a press or waffle maker - to create a thin, crisp Italian cookie.
Whether it’s served with powdered sugar or filled with your favorite sweet filling, these Italian chocolate cookies are sure to bring joy to any occasion!
Check out all the other Christmas Cookies for even more delicious recipes to make over the holidays.
Chocolate pizzelle cookies are a chocolatey, crunchy treat originating from the Italian culture. Traditionally you need a pizzelle iron to make them, which has been around since at least the 1700s!
Traditionally, they're served for special occasions in an Italian family household...especially weddings. It's not uncommon to find a variety of pizzelle cookies on the sweets table at a wedding or bridal shower.
For our daughter's wedding, we had a cookie table immediately following the ceremony for all our guests.
There are many variations of this traditional Italian family recipe - including chocolate hazelnut or chocolate with orange zest and even dark chocolate amaretto versions.
My grandmother and mother always made traditional classic pizzelle recipe for Christmas. I'm happy to report that my sister and myself are carrying on this Christmas Cookie tradition!
Looking for more easy cookie recipes for the holidays? Try my Old Fashioned Italian Cookies, Easy Italian Christmas Cookies, or even my Italian Christmas Tree Cookies.
Table of Contents
- What is a Pizzelle Iron?
- Pizzelle iron family crest
- How to crisp up pizzelles?
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Before you Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- What to Serve with Italian Chocolate Pizzelles
- Storage Instructions
- Top Recipe Tips
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
What is a Pizzelle Iron?
Pizzelles are thin, crispy, waffle-type cookies made by pouring batter between the two plates of a special electric iron.
These cookies are closely associated with family; in fact, pizzelle irons have been fashioned with the pattern of a family’s crest. I don't have a family crest pizzelle iron...but how fun would that be?
I purchased my pizzelle iron on Amazon. Make sure you check out the Shopping List below to see the different pizzelle irons you can easily purchase on Amazon.
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Pizzelle iron family crest
Did you know that the pizzelle doubled as a family crest for centuries? The intricate designs made with the pizzelle machine were said to represent different types of family lineages - from proving your deep-rooted a city to demonstrating where you got your maiden name from.
For example, a family living in Rome would use a specific pattern on their pizzelle while another living in an island off the coast of Italy would have its own unique design that followed their heritage.
Each and every shape and pattern held some kind of meaning and connection to where they came from, serving as both custom and tradition to be passed down through the generations.
How to crisp up pizzelles?
It's never bothered me that after awhile our homemade pizzelles would lose some of their crispiness. My mother and grandmother both always stored them in a large airtight container. And while they did get soft after a week, they were still delicious!
However, if you've ever had a pizzelle and wanted it to be a little crunchier, here is the trick to crisp them up:
- Place your pizzelles on the baking sheet that's been sprayed with non-stick baking spray.
- Then place the baking sheet in a preheated 375°F oven for about 3 to 5 minutes or until they become crispy again.
The time may vary depending on the pizzelles' thickness and how long they are in the oven - just watch them closely so they don't burn. Once your pizzelles reach that perfect texture of light crunchiness, all that's left to do is enjoy!
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Pizzelle Maker- Non-stick Electric Pizzelle Baker Press Makes Two 5-Inch Cookies at Once- Recipe Guide Included
Sweet Maria's Italian Cookie Tray: A CookbookCookie Scoop Set, Include 1 Tablespoon/ 2 Tablespoon/ 3 Tablespoon, 3PCS Cookie Scoops for BakingLenox Holiday Stripe Batter Bowl, 2.9 LB, Red & Green
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- Eggs
- Sugar
- 1 stick butter melted and cooled
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Cocoa powder
- Additional sugar
Substitutions and Variations
You can make my classic pizzelle cookies anise or lemon flavored.
To make this chocolate pizzelle recipe even more delicious, try dipping half of the cookie in melted chocolate. You can toss chopped pecans or pistachios on top!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt the butter and set aside for it to cool.
- Beat the eggs and sugar until creamy about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the melted cooled butter.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cocoa, and additional sugar.
- Slowly add to the butter/sugar mixture until combined.
- Heat the pizzelle iron and spray with a non-stick baking spray.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of batter on each grid.
- Close the iron and let cook for about 30 to 40 seconds.
- Remove the chocolate pizzelle cookies and cool on a rack.
Before you Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
They might not have cooked long enough, or they absorbed moisture from the air or being stacked too soon. Make sure they're golden brown, cool them completely on a rack, then store them in a sealed container.
You can use a pizzelle maker to make the cookies and then use the cookies to prepare ice cream sandwiches. Simply add a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top of one cookie and then top it with another, press and enjoy or refrigerate for later.
What to Serve with Italian Chocolate Pizzelles
To serve these delicious chocolate pizzelle cookies, let them cool completely before dusting them with powdered sugar. If you're a coffee drinker, you'll love to dip them in the coffee!
Storage Instructions
Pantry: If you store pizzelles in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, they can last a few weeks up to a month.
Freezer: Pizzelle cookies are surprisingly well-suited for freezing. The process is really simple; just layer them with parchment paper and freeze. Once frozen, put them into a zip top freezer bag or an airtight storage container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. In fact, many people believe that pizzelle cookies actually taste better when they've been frozen due to their crispy texture.
Thaw: Thaw the cookies in the container at room temperature. Once thawed, then remove from the bag or container to enjoy.
Top Recipe Tips
- Make sure you preheat the iron and you spray it with non-stick cooking spray before adding the batter. Add more if you notice the cookies sticking a little.
- Try to place your batter just a little bit behind the center of the pattern on the iron so you can get a more even pizzelle cookie.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Best Italian Christmas Cookies.
Or you might enjoy this recipe for Hot Chocolate Cookies.
📖 Recipe Card
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
Italian Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick butter melted and cooled
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoon cocoa
- 3 tablespoon additional granulated sugar
Instructions
- Melt the butter and set aside.
- Beat the eggs and sugar until creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the melted butter.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cocoa and the additional 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
- Slowly add to the wet butter, egg, sugar mixture until combined.
- Heat the pizzelle iron and spray with a non-stick baking spray.
- Place about 1 Tablespoon of batter on each grid.
- Close the iron and let cook for about 30 to 40 seconds.
- Remove the cookies and cool on a rack.
Notes
- This recipe should give you anywhere from 50 to 60 cookies. The cook time listed above is per cookie.
- Make sure you preheat the iron and you spray it with non-stick cooking spray before adding the batter. And more if you notice the cookies sticking a little.
- Try to place your batter just a little bit behind the center of the pattern on the iron so you can get a more even pizzelle cookie.
Marisa F. Stewart says
I can't wait to try the chocolate version, especially since all of the family loves chocolate. This will be a great addition to my Italian Christmas cookie tray. I wish I had a family crest pizzelles cookie iron. That would be so cool.
Jolina says
You know..I think I will create a family crest just so I could have a family crest pizzelle iron lol! Seriously though, I've wanted to make pizzelles for a long time, I just don't have an iron. I think it's time to get one!
Denise says
I love pizzelles, and never had a chocolate one! I will share this recipe to my friend who makes pizzelles!
Lois says
I've only had the traditional pizzelles until I made this recipe a few years ago. They really are delicious. Pizzelles are one of my favorite cookies too!
Gloria says
These cookies are always so pretty. I look at that mold often. Have not bought it yet, but I think I just might have to.
Lois says
You should get one in time for Christmas!
Linda says
It may help to add just a dash of vegetable oil to the batter to help with the sticking with the older pizzelles machines..I’ve done it and it worked for me, my machine is over 50 years old...
Lois says
That is such a good idea! Thanks!
Paulie says
Lois,
I have an older style all metal pizzelle iron and had problems with the recipe sticking to my iron. I followed your recipe exactly, double checking my measurements. Also I did pre- spray the iron with non-stick spray, as required.
Since you don't mention your style iron, I am wondering if you have a factory coated non-stick iron. If so, that may be the reason I had problems with my iron. The blended recipe seemed a little stiff compared to the Anise recipe I use and since this was my first try, I did not want to mess with your recipe. As a novice Baker I wouldn't know what to add to loosen up the recipe anyway.
Regardless of my problems, the pizzelles tasted great.
Lois says
Yes...I do have a newer iron so that's probably why I didn't have any problems. I'm glad you enjoyed the taste of the pizzelles even if they did stick a bit. Happy New Year and thanks for visiting!
Jacqueline says
I make pizzelles all the time. Just made a large batch of anise pizzelles for this weekends family gathering. Decided to add your chocolate pizzelles. Well, for the first time ever, the batter stuck to my iron. I cleaned, oiled and tried three times, but with the same results. So then I oiled two slices of bread and baked them. They, of course, turned out fine. Tried one more time with the chocolate batter. Refrigerated for a few hours first. Same thing, it stuck. I looked over the recipe several times and I am sure I didn't miss an ingredient or make an error in measuring. Help. Would love to make some chocolate pizzelles. I did add some cinnamon and a little nutmeg, but can't see how that would make a difference.
Lois says
I'm not really sure what went wrong! Maybe the addition of the extra spices did something to ratio of flour and made the batter more dry? I'm really not sure. I've never had a problem with making this recipe or having them stick to my iron. I always spray my machine with non-stick spray before adding batter the first time and then a few more times while baking.
Jacqueline says
I just used a small cookie/ice cream scoop and made chocolate cookies with the pizzell dough. I was afraid to try again on a new iron. Baked them 9-10 minutes on my air shield cookie sheets and they are cake-like and absolutely delicious. Reminded me of a version of the Italian Ricotta Cheese Cookies. Will While they probably don't need it, I will put a little glaze on them and sprinkle with some rainbow nonpareils. Maybe found a new favorite cookie.
Lois says
What a surprise to hear the pizzelle recipe works as a regular cookie recipe too! Sounds yummy! Thanks for visiting!
Kathy says
Found this while looking for ideas for a Mother's Day brunch. I have an iron, but had forgotten all about it. Used to make them every year at Christmas! I'd like to roll them and make a cone filled with something delish! - any ideas for a filling would be greatly appreciated.
Cathy Trochelman says
These are so beautiful! I've never had a pizzelle but would love to try one. Thanks for sharing your recipe at SNF!
Cathy McInnes says
pizzelles were one of my moms go to desserts! I love the smell of them and they taste amazing, esp with ice cream inbetween! I bet she never thought to make chocolate ones, I am passing this recipe along to her! Found this on the wonderful Wednesday blog hop and these look wonderful 🙂
Shirl says
I haven't used my iron in a while I think I will pull it out and make these chocolate pizzelles
NewMrsAdventures says
This looks delicious! I would love for you share it on my Tasty Tuesday recipe link up here! Everything gets pinned and I would love to have you!
Terri Henkels says
I have never made Pizzelles but always wanted to. Very pretty. Stopping by from Treasurer Box Tuesday.
GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart says
They looks so good! Wish I was nibbling some right now!
Miz Helen says
Your Chocolate Pizzelles look just beautiful and delicious! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Dee M says
These look so good! My grandmother always made the regular ones for Christmas, and the store-bought ones just aren't the same. 🙂
Kristy says
These are almost too pretty to eat! Thanks for sharing!
Kristy
Melissa says
Those are so pretty Lois!
Walking on Sunshine says
Thank you Melissa!
Kathe says
Looks so yummy Lois! Pinned so when I get a press I can make some for Mr. B 🙂
Walking on Sunshine says
Took me forever to buy the iron also. Amazon makes it easy! Thanks for visiting Kathe!