An Unconventional Breakfast

My grandpa, whose family was from the Abruzzi region of Italy,  believed in starting the day with his favorite breakfast: pizzelle cookies dunked in his morning coffee.  He always kept an empty coffee tin filled with pizzelles by the front door so when friends or family walked in they could help themselves to a cookie.  At least once a week we would make pizzelles using his recipe:

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoon anise extract*

Add in the order listed.  Drop by spoonful onto center of pre-heated pizzelle iron.  Close lid and cook until steaming stops, about 45 seconds.  Place a towel on the side of the iron and place pizzelles on towel and allow to cool.  

*If you prefer a more mild anise flavor, use 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of anise extract.  

These cookies are easy to make and will stay fresh for 3 days in an airtight container.  You can serve plain or sprinkle with powdered sugar or shape into ice cream cones and cups.  Pizzelle irons are available online or at your local Williams-Sonoma store.