Welcome to the world of Italian family traditions with Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies!
Made with flour, eggs, sugar, butter, flavoring and a special iron press, these are a light crispy, slightly sweet waffle cookie.
Whether it’s served with powdered sugar or filled with your favorite sweet filling, they are sure to bring joy to any occasion!
Check out all the other easy cookie recipes for even more delicious recipes to make over the holidays.
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For generations, Italian families have been making pizzelle with the help of a pizzelle iron that's been around since at least the 1700s! It's a special device that looks like a press or waffle maker - to create this thin, crisp Italian cookie.
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.
Looking for more Christmas Cookies for the holidays? Try my Old Fashioned Italian Cookies, Easy Italian Christmas Cookies, or even my Italian Christmas Tree Cookies.
Table of Contents
- Pizzelle Recipes Different Flavors
- 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!
- Expert Tips
- Storing and Thawing Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- What to Serve with Italian Chocolate Pizzelles
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Pizzelle Recipes Different Flavors
There are many variations of this traditional Italian family recipe - including chocolate hazelnut or chocolate with orange zest, chocolate mint pizzelle recipe 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!
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 iron...but how fun would that be?
I purchased my iron on Amazon. Make sure you check out the Shopping List below to see the different styles available.
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Pizzelle Iron Family Crest
Pizzelle cookies were more than just a treat centuries ago—they served as edible family crests! The intricate designs pressed into these cookies represented different lineages, signifying everything from a family's deep roots in a city to the origins of a maiden name.
Each unique pattern held special meaning, connecting families to their heritage and serving as a cherished tradition passed down through generations.
How to Crisp up Pizzelles?
While soft pizzelles are still delicious, you can easily restore their crunch! If they have softened over time, try this simple trick to crisp them up:
- Place the cookies on a 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 cookie's thickness and how long they are in the oven - just watch them closely so they don't burn.
🛒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 and chopped pecans or pistachios on top!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the butter and setting it aside to cool. Beat eggs and sugar until creamy, then stir in the cooled butter.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cocoa, and sugar. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined.
Step 3: Heat your pizzelle iron and lightly grease it. Pour about a tablespoon of batter onto each grid, close the iron, and cook for 30-40 seconds until golden. Remove the pizzelles and cool completely on a wire rack before enjoying!
Before you Begin!
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Expert 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.
Storing and Thawing Tips
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: Flash freeze the cookies by placing them on a baking tray and place in the freezer. 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.
Thaw: Thaw the cookies in the container at room temperature. Once thawed, then remove from the bag or container to enjoy.
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!
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
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
Method
- 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.
Nutrition
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!