Chai Pizzelles

Chai Pizzelles add a twist to the classic Italian cookie by using the warm spices you’d find in a steaming mug of chai. This fragrant cookie is easy to make with a pizzelle iron and makes a statement at any event! Whip up a batch today!

Day 1 – Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Day 2 – Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Day 3 – Pecan Cookies
Day 4 –Grinch Cookies
Day 5 –You’re on it!
Day 6 –
Day 7 –
Day 8 –
Day 9 –
Day 10 –
Day 11 –
Day 12 –

Have you ever had pizzelles? Pizzelles are traditional Italian waffle cookies made by dropping batter into a hot pizzelle iron and baking it. There are all sorts of intricate designs, and you can customize the cookie batter with any flavors you like!

Equipment Needed

Unfortunately, this is one of those times when you really need a specific piece of equipment. There is no substitute for a pizzelle iron. A waffle iron or griddle just doesn’t produce the same result. Luckily, there are pizzelle irons for every budget and they all get the job done. This pizzelle iron is the one I use and I love it!

Ingredients for Chai Pizzelles

Here’s what you need to make these Italian Pizzelle cookies:

4 large eggs, room temperature

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and completely cooled

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon cardamom

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

⅛ teaspoon white pepper

pinch of kosher salt

powdered sugar and cinnamon for dusting, optional

How to use a Pizzelle Iron

Pizzelle irons are pretty easy to use. It can take a bit of practice to shape the cookies consistently, but even the imperfect ones will be delicious! Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for your specific iron.

Before you heat the iron, grease the cooking plates with a little vegetable oil. I like to dab some oil on a paper towel, then rub it over each iron plate until the pattern is lightly coated with oil.

Next, plug in the iron, and the light will come on. You can prepare your pizzelle batter as the iron heats up. When the iron is ready, the light will turn off or change colors, depending on your iron.

Add a rounded teaspoon of dough to the pizzelle iron, then close and latch it. In general, the indicator light will turn on when baking and then turn off or change color to indicate when the pizzelle is finished baking. It doesn’t take long at all, so don’t walk away! Gently remove the pizzelle from the pizzelle press and move it to a cooling rack.

How to Make Pizzelles with Chai Spices

It’s easy to make these thin Italian waffle cookies!

First, grease and heat up your pizzelle iron as described above. Melt the butter and set it aside to cool. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cloves, white pepper, and salt. 

Then, in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and eggs until light in color, about 3 minutes. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract to the egg mixture, then mix well.

Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just blended. Next, fold in the remaining flour mixture and combine until just mixed.

Drop the batter by placing a heaping tablespoon of batter into the center of the pizzelle pattern and close. Bake for about 1 – 1 ½ minutes or until lightly golden brown (the times will vary depending on the pizzelle iron you are using). 

Carefully remove each pizzelle with a non-metal spatula and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before dusting it with powdered sugar and a light sprinkle of cinnamon.

Tips for Perfect Pizzelles

Do you have excess batter on the cookie edges? No worries—gently trim around the cookie with some scissors as it cools – you can nibble on the excess! Just use slightly less pizzelle dough next time.

If you were expecting a thin crisp pizzelle and didn’t get that, note that they will harden as they cool. If they still aren’t crisp enough, you are probably using too much dough, or your dough itself may be too thick. Try thinning it out with a bit of water or milk. Then put just enough cookie batter to cover the pattern. Remove the pizzelles when they stop sizzling, then immediately move them to a wire rack to cool so the air movement can help them crisp up.

Allow the pizzelles to air dry for a few hours for that perfect crunch!

You can shape your baked pizzelles into waffle bowls, cannoli shells or even cones with this pizzelle roller. They also make a great holiday gift. 

Can I make Chai Pizzelles ahead of time?

If you want to make a big batch of these Italian cookies for a cookie swap or other gathering, bake and completely cool the pizzelles as directed. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag or other airtight container. They will keep for months and can be thawed by letting them sit out at room temperature.

How do I store leftover pizzelles?

Your pizzelles should stay crisp for weeks! If you store them in an airtight container, they will get soft, so store them wrapped in aluminum foil or place them in a paper bag.

Can you freeze Chai Pizzelle Cookies?

Yes, you can easily freeze pizzelles for up to 3 months. Once they are cooled and dried, wrap 4-5 pizzelles together in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Place them in a storage container so they don’t get crushed.

To thaw, place pizzelles on the counter and let them come to room temperature.

Love Chai? Try these tea-inspired recipes:

Chai Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread with warming chai spices. A sweet vanilla glaze on top makes this easy bread recipe complete!

Chai Snickerdoodles – The classic snickerdoodle cookie with all the spices of a great chai latte. Warming cardamom, sweet cinnamon, and a kick of clove and ginger make these just right for a chilly autumn day!

This Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cake is so moist and delicious, that it will be the center of your fall dessert table. But everyone will want to eat it all year long!

One bite of these creamy Chai Spritz Cookies will remind you of a warm, comforting cup of chai on a cold winter’s night. All the warm chai spices like cardamom, ginger, and cloves are mixed into a cream cheese spritz cookie dough and shaped with a cookie press for a delightful cookie.

More Italian Desserts

​Try this traditional Pizzelle recipe flavored with anise extract, orange zest, and anise seed.

Readers love this Italian-inspired Tiramisu Poke Cake or our tangy Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake. We also love Biscotti and have several varieties you can try:

Gingerbread Biscotti

Peppermint Chocolate Biscotti

Cranberry Orange Pistachio Biscotti

Citrus Biscotti

If you try this Chai Pizzelle recipe, leave a review and let me know how it went for you in the comments below!

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