Looking for a recipe for pizzelle but do not have a pizzelle maker, then this recipe is for you. These oven-baked pizzelle are soft anise cookies made with a cookie press and traditional pizzelle dough and they are delicious. You only need a cookie press and oven to make them.
I experimented recently with making pizzelle cookies in the oven and without using a pizzelle maker because I wanted to mail some to my family. You know what, these cookies were delicious! My family and I loved it and now we make them every year.
The texture of these cookies will be soft instead of crisp like the traditional pizzelle but the flavor is identical. It really is a great alternative for anyone who does not have a pizzelle maker at home.
These oven-baked cookies are delicious and moist and use the same dough as my traditional pizzelle recipe! They actually remind me of the springerle cookie which is similar to the pizzelle recipe except baked in the oven!
Both are cookies that use anise.
Ingredients you will need
All simple ingredients. Here is what you will need (full recipe below):
- Eggs: I use large eggs.
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Anise extract: These cookies have a light anise flavor. If you prefer a heavier amount of anise, just add another ½ teaspoon to the dough.
- Unsalted butter
- Kosher salt
All of the ingredients are very straightforward baking items. The only special ingredient you will need is anise extract.
How to make these soft anise cookies
Making these cookies could not be any simpler. Here are the steps:
- Mix: Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Shape: Add the dough to a cookie press and press out the cookie shapes according to the manufacturer's instructions for the press. I like to use the round shapes for these cookies like the wreath, pinwheel or flower (without the center cut out). Find a cookie press shape like this with no hole in the center.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool.
This recipe uses a cookie press to make these pretty shapes but don't worry if you do not have a cookie press. The dough is nice and thick and you can just as easily spoon it out onto your sheet pan.
If you are still not sure and think you might want the real pizzelle cookies and want to invest in a pizzelle maker, you might like this recipe for Pizzelle and my pizzelle cannoli. Either of these Italian Christmas cookies are great.
Storing
To store these soft anise flavored cookies, allow them to cool fully then place them in an air-tight container for up to one week. To freeze them, after cooling, place them in a freezer bag, making sure to burp out any air then seal. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the fridge (in their bag) overnight.
I hope you give this one a try!
Serving Ideas
We love making cookies during the holidays. Here are some themes that go great with these cookies:
- Italian cookie box: We love adding these cookies along with our Citrus Sugar Cookies , and Citrus Snowball Cookies.
- Holiday Bake Sale: Who doesn't love cookies at a bake sale! We love baking up these cookies to go along with our Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies or Fruit and Nut Cookies .
Oven Baked Pizzelle (Soft Anise Cookies)
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups of all purpose flour
- ¾ cup of sugar
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 3 eggs
- ½ tablespoon anise extract
- 2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon of vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Whisk together your eggs, sugar, vanilla and anise in a medium bowl.3 eggs, ¾ cup of sugar, 1 ½ teaspoon of vanilla, ½ tablespoon anise extract
- Now add your flour, salt and baking powder and mix it well until there are no lumps and it looks smooth.1 ¾ cups of all purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoon of baking powder
- Now add your melted butter and mix that in to your mixture.½ cup melted unsalted butter
Making the cookie shapes
- Grease cookie sheets.
- With a cookie press, add your dough into the cookie press and make your shapes on to the cookie sheet. If you do not have a cookie press, you can scoop a heaping teaspoon full of dough onto your cookie sheet and gently press the tops down with your fingers before baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until your cookies begin to get light golden in color.
- Let cool on a cooling rack completely.
- Optional: you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar once cooled.
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer hereTried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Michele says
Do you know if this recipe would work with 1-1 gluten free flour? I would love to make pizzelles but don't want to deal with a pizzelle maker. I grew up with these cookies being a special treat.
Melissa says
Hi Michelle. I've heard the 1-1 gf flour is really amazing as a flour substitute but I haven't tested it with this recipe yet.
If you do try it out, I would love to hear how it works out!
Michele says
I tried them today and they turned out great! I used my go to gf flour for baking which is by XO Baking. I didn't have anise extract so I crushed an anise star and used that. Thank you so much!!
Melissa says
I am so happy it worked out and that you get to enjoy pizzelle at the holidays 🙂 Great tip on the GF flour too! Thanks for sharing.
Melissa says
I love hearing that! They are a great addition to the regular pizzelle 🙂
Melissa says
I am so glad to hear this was helpful!
Virginia Cook says
Hoping to find more yummy recipes!
Thank you
Melissa says
Thank you Virginia! I am so glad to hear that 🙂