Mommom Rose's Pizzelles!

Happy December everyone! Time has been flying by, and I realized I hadn't posted a blog in a little while. This is my absolute favorite time of year. Between the decorating, buying gifts, and christmas music, how could it not be? As you can see from our chalkboard wall, we're all a little excited about Christmas. Bella, Colin, Michael, and I decided it was time to decorate the townhouse. So, I figured while they were decorating the tree I would bake my first holiday treat of the season. Not that I don't enjoy decorating the tree, but Bella just tends to move all the ornaments I put up. Apparently I have spacing issues. So, I figured I would bake instead! For my first holiday treat I went with…Pizzelles! I used not only my Mommom Rose's recipe, but her pizzelle iron as well.

The "Pizzelle Chef" has gotten a lot of use over the years, and it is still kicking. By the way, do you think we have enough coffee makers? No? Good, because we also have a french press that isn't in that picture. The roomies started on the tree, so I started on the Pizzelles.

My Mommom Rose's Pizzelle Recipe - yields about 3 dozen
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup crisco (melted and cooled)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon anise extract (you could also use vanilla)

First, pre heat your pizzelle iron. Combine baking powder, and flour, and use a whisk to combine. You could sift the flour and baking powder, but personally, I hate sifting and I think whisking works just as nicely. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, and add sugar gradually. Beat until smooth. Add the crisco, and the anise extract. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and combine. The dough will be sticky, and similar to a cookie dough consistency.

Easy enough, right? Now it's time to get cookin'! Spray the pizzelle iron with nonstick spray, and drop batter by the teaspoonful onto the iron. I like to place the dough slightly behind the center of the pizzelle pattern. When you close the iron it tends to push the batter forward slightly. 

It took my Pizzelles 30-45 seconds to get golden brown, and delicious. How long it takes will depend on your exact iron, they're all a little different. For example, my Mommom Rose's? The Pizzelle on the right always end up stuck to the top.

It might take you a few burnt or misshapen ones to figure out exactly how long to cook them, how much batter to use, or where the batter should be placed, but don't worry, you'll get the hang of it :). Once they're finished, remove from the iron (I used a butter knife to lift them off) and place on a cooling rack.

It only takes a few minutes for them to cool completely! You can dust them with powdered sugar, dip them in melted chocolate, or just leave them as is. Oh, and if you were wondering, the tree decorating was going nicely.

I wouldn't be surprised if that ornament was moved shortly after this was taken. I'm serious, ornament spacing is very important in this house.

I did end up getting to hang one ornament, mostly because it's mine. There's also a chance Bella told me where to put it. He's pretty cute, right? I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday!