The Last Christmas Cookie

This Advent, I dutifully prepared our Sunday Teas.  They weren't pretty and I took no photos.  I did just enough to call it done (meaning distracting the children with sweets while I curled up in bed).  I don't even think we ever lit that last candle. I'm sure they won't remember.

This Sunday we wrapped it all up with pizelles, which I save for Epiphany.  They are my personal favorite and tied up with so many old memories.  I hope that setting them apart for this last Christmas feast will make them just as special for my children.  Every year my son struggles with remembering and pronunciation and then exclaims joyfully as he sees the iron, "Oh I love those!".

My recipe:

• 2 cups of flour 
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp or so of vanilla
• 1/2 tsp or so of cinnamon 

I beat the eggs and sugar until thick, add in the cooled, melted butter and then mix the dry ingredients.  I tablespoon of batter is placed in the pizelle iron* and pressed for 30 seconds or until golden brown.  I find this much easier to manage with a smaller sized cookie scoop.

My recipe is not traditional as it does not include anise which I cannot have in the house - can't even think about without shuddering.  It is not a flavor I care for, to put it mildly.  But these, buttery and crisp, flavored lightly with cinnamon and sometimes a little orange zest are eaten up in seconds.  

* Mine is made by VillaWare, a gift from my parents many, many years ago.  It still works beautifully. 

And oh, y'all - while I'm on the Williams-Sonoma website.  My husband hit their post-Christmas clearance sale and picked up a Stump de Noel which I find absolutely adorable and hilarious.  This will be for the fourth week of Advent next year.  I've made a proper Buche de Noel in years past but rarely can find the time these days.  This should simplify things.  It looks like the pan isn't available online anymore, but you might check your local store (it was weirdly less expensive in-store anyway).

Comments

[sarah]

So pretty!!

[Jennifer G. Miller]

I'm right with you on the anise...right down to the shudder!

Oh, Love that Stump de Noel. Makes me think of "O Root of Jesse". Too bad I missed grabbing that one!

[Jennifer]

Thanks sarah!
And Jenn! What a great idea! I can't ever manage do the Jesse Tree ornaments and all, but at least we could read about it while enjoying the cake.

[Francis Shivone]

Pizelles -- love them, make them, and have fond memories of my grandfather's. But, fellow appreciator of all good food, I'm not sure if a pizelle IS a pizelle without anise :) or as my father used to say, anisetta.

Regardless, thanks for the recipe (and those look delicious)

[Jennifer]

I wont argue with you, Francis. Everyone in my family has made them with anise but oh the smell... I just cant...

[MelanieB]

Oh I'm with you on the anise question. Anything in that anise-licorice family. Ugh not a fan.

Maybe I should get an iron and try my hand at pizelles sometime. For Dom they are a big nostalgia item from his childhood.

[Don F]

Thanks for the recipe, I looooove pizelles! Reminds me of being a kid.