Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes Anise Pizzelle 4.7 (3) Close Credit: Mike Krautter Yield: 18 Hailing from the Abruzzo region of central Italy, these wafer cookies get their intricate shape by cooking a waffle-like batter between two hot iron plates. Martha flavors hers with toasted anise seeds and anise extract. Directions Heat a nonstick pizzelle iron. In a small skillet, toast anise seeds over high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer seeds to a spice grinder, let cool, and finely grind. Scrape into a medium bowl; whisk together with flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and granulated sugar until well combined. Whisk in vanilla and anise extracts. Slowly add cooled butter in a steady stream, whisking continuously, until batter is smooth. Stir in flour mixture until just combined (do not overmix). Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe about 2 tablespoons batter in a circle around the center of each pattern on the heated pizzelle iron. Close and seal with clasp. Cook until golden brown, about 45 seconds. Using a small spatula, release and remove cookie. Using kitchen shears or a 4 1/2-inch ring mold, trim any ragged edges, if desired. Transfer cookie to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar, if desired.