Oven-baked pizzelle cookies are the best! Looking for a recipe for pizzelles but do not have a pizzelle maker, then this recipe is for you. These oven-baked pizzelles are just as tasty as traditional pizzelles and you only need a cookie press to make them.

About these pizzelle cookies
The texture of these cookies will be soft instead of crispy 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 so 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!Â
Both are cookies that use anise.
Ingredients you will need
- Eggs
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Vanilla
- Anise extract
- Unsalted butter
- Kosher salt
All of the ingredients are very straightforward baking items. The only special ingredient you will need is anise extract.
You can find this in the baking section of most grocery stores. It is a licorice-flavored extract and you only use a little bit of it.
Making pizzelle cookies
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.
These oven-baked pizzelle cookies make a great gift (like the way I used them) or a great sweet treat to serve with coffee or tea during the holidays. That little bit of anise in them really makes them taste extra special.
This is now going to be a new holiday tradition for us. If you don't want to invest in a pizzelle maker but love the flavors of pizzelles then this is the perfect recipe for you to try!
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 Traditional Italian Pizzelles and my pizzelle cannoli. Either of these Italian Christmas cookies are great.
I hope you give this one a try!
Why make pizzelle without a pizzelle maker
I experimented recently with making pizzelle cookies in the oven and without using a pizzelle maker because I wanted to mail some pizzelles to my family.
I knew the delicate classic pizzelle I usually make with a pizzelle maker would not make it in one piece. You know what, these cookies were delicious! My family and I loved it!
If you are new to the flavor of pizzelle and want to try it out for taste, this is a great recipe for you. If you already know how they taste but want to mail cookies to family or friends, this is a great way to do it.
These are the most delicious Italian Christmas cookies to gift someone you care about.
More Holiday Recipes:
- Snowflake Cookies
- Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
- Sugared Cranberries
- Almond and Vanilla Cake
- Moist Carrot Cake Recipe
- Citrus Snowball Cookies
- Citrus Sugar Cookies
- Eggnog Snowball Cookies
- Homemade Eggnog (non alcoholic)
- Fruit and Nut Cookies
- Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Oven Baked Pizzelle Cookies
Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup of sugar
- 1 ¾ cups of all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon of vanilla
- 3 tiny drops of anise to do this, pour a tiny amount of anise on to a spoon. Slowly turn the spoon downward over your mixture and wait for 3 tiny drops to fall and then you are done!
- 8 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Whisk together your eggs, sugar, vanilla and anise in a medium bowl.
- Now add your flour, salt and baking powder and mix it well until there are no lumps and it looks smooth.
- Now add your melted butter and mix that in to your mixture.
- Making the cookie shapes:
- Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease 3-4 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.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer here
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.
Leah says
I have a pizzelle maker but wanted to try these cookies and I am glad I did. They are delicious
Melissa says
I love hearing that! They are a great addition to the regular pizzelle 🙂
Andy says
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks
Melissa says
I am so glad to hear this was helpful!
Emily says
I wanted pizzelle but didn’t have a pizzelle maker and these were perfect! Thanks so much
Beth says
These had the flavor of the pizzelles that I love. Thank you for this recipe!
Virginia Cook says
Hoping to find more yummy recipes!
Thank you
Melissa says
Thank you Virginia! I am so glad to hear that 🙂