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Lemon pizzelle are a delightful twist on the classic Italian waffle cookie, with a bright burst of citrus flavor in every bite. Thin, crisp, and beautifully patterned, these cookies are as stunning as they are delicious. Traditionally made for holidays like Christmas, their light and zesty flavor makes them perfect for springtime celebrations like Easter—or any time you’re craving a sweet treat. With simple ingredients and no oven required, this easy recipe is sure to become a favorite for sharing with family and friends!

A stack of decorative lemon pizzelle cookies dusted with powdered sugar sits on a plate, surrounded by lemon halves and additional cookies.

These delicious lemon pizzelle are traditional Italian cookies with a distinctive shape and pretty pattern. The cookies are lemon-flavored, delicate and a little crisp.

Do you love trying new cookie recipes? You might also enjoy gingerbread pizzelle, Italian canestrelli cookies, or these chocolate chestnut tortelli cookies.

A close-up of a stack of lemon pizzelle cookies, showcasing intricate floral and grid designs, light golden in color.

Why You’ll Love It

They’re so cute: Their thin, delicate form and beautiful pattern really makes lemon pizzelle stand out.
Easy to make: You simply have to combine the ingredients for the cookie batter and cook the cookies in a pizzelle iron – they’re so simple to master!
They taste great: Pair one or two of these delicious lemon cookies with your favorite drink and you’re sure to find them tasty and satisfying.

A stack of lemon pizzelle cookies, dusted with powdered sugar, graces a plate. In the background, more of these delightful treats and zesty lemon halves sit enticingly on a rustic wooden tray.

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Salted butter: You can use unsalted butter, but you’ll need to add a ¼ teaspoon of table salt to the batter.
All-purpose flour: Spoon and level it for the most accurate measurement.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness.
Baking powder: To perfect the texture of the cookies.
Lemon extract: This can be optional but can add a richer lemon flavor.
Powdered sugar: Optional, for dusting.

Ingredients for baking on a table: flour in a bowl, three eggs, two lemons ready for zesting, butter, baking powder, vanilla extract, sugar, and a bowl of powdered sugar—perfect for making delicate lemon pizzelle.

How to Make Lemon Pizzelle Cookies

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Make the pizzelle batter: Melt the butter in a bowl. Rub the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingers in a separate bowl. Whisk in the flour and baking powder. Mix melted butter and lemon extract into the flour mixture. Beat the eggs into the batter.
Cook the pizzelle cookies: Grease a hot pizzelle iron (I use this one!) and drop a spoonful of batter in there. Close the iron and cook for 40 seconds or until light golden brown.
Cool the lemon pizzelle: Remove each cookie from the pizzelle maker to a wire rack as they are done cooking, shaping the hot cookies however you like while they’re still warm or leaving them flat. Serve, dusted with powdered sugar if liked.

A cooling rack filled with round, patterned Italian lemon pizzelle cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Lemon slices and a white cloth are nearby on a speckled countertop.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and ensure your baking powder is gluten-free (most of them are).
Traditional pizzelle: Omit the lemon extract and zest and add vanilla extract or anise extract.
Butter: You can use ⅓ cup of canola, olive or vegetable oil instead.
Stronger lemon flavor: Add an extra ½ teaspoon of lemon extract or lemon oil.
Another flavor: Try almond extract, anise extract or hazelnut extract to change the flavor of the pizzelle.

A stack of thin waffle cookies, known as lemon pizzelle, sits gracefully on a plate dusted with powdered sugar. Nearby, a bowl brims with fresh lemons and a sliced lemon adds a touch of vibrant color to the scene.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Begin your Italian inspired meal with minestrone soup and farinata.
Main dishes:
Enjoy chorizo rigatoni or lasagna al forno for your main course, or perhaps an antipasto farro salad.
Desserts:
Finish up with lemon pizzelle, perhaps paired with ice cream and a lemon curd drizzle.

A stack of round, patterned Italian waffle cookies on a plate dusted with powdered sugar, these delightful lemon pizzelle cookies exude citrusy charm. In the background, fresh lemons and a partial view of more pizzelles invite you to indulge.

How to Store Italian Waffle Cookies

Store: Keep pizzelle in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving.
Freeze: You can freeze these in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw:
 Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.

A stack of round, patterned lemon pizzelle dusted with powdered sugar sits on a white plate. A fresh lemon and a wooden board with more cookies are in the background.

Top Tips

Spread the lemon flavor: Rubbing the lemon zest into the sugar helps the lemon flavor spread throughout the pizzelle.
Pizzelle iron perfection: Consult your pizzelle iron manual for directions on greasing and the best cooking time for the pizzelle. You want them to be a light golden color, but some of the pizzelle may have some dark brown spots if you leave them too long. It doesn’t affect the flavor, just the texture.
Uniform sized cookies: Using a different amount of batter for each pizzelle might result in a different number of pizzelle. I used a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to get them all the same and ended up with 22 cookies.

A plate of powdered sugar-dusted lemon pizzelle cookies with embossed patterns rests on a wooden surface.

Lemon Flavored Pizzelle FAQs

What kind of shapes can I make with pizzelle cookies?

The cookie is flexible as long as it’s still warm from the iron. I like to roll mine up into cannoli shapes and stuff them with tasty fillings like whipped cream and fruit. You can also just leave them flat or make cone shapes with them.

Are pizzelle cookies seasonal?

These cookies are popular in Italy during Christmas and Easter, although the Christmas version often has anise as a flavor or warm spices. You’ll also find pizzelle at Italian weddings paired with other delicacies such as other traditional Italian cookies and cannoli.

Close-up of several decorative, circular lemon pizzelle cookies with intricate floral and geometric patterns.
5 from 1 vote

Lemon Pizzelle

These delicious lemon pizzelle are traditional Italian cookies with a distinctive shape and pattern. The cookies are lemon-flavored, delicate and a little crisp.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 22 (4-inch) cookies

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and set it aside to cool slightly.
  • In a separate large bowl, add the sugar and lemon zest, and use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar until it is fragrant.
  • Whisk in the flour and baking powder, then use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to mix in the melted butter and lemon extract.
  • Use the whisk again to beat in the eggs until the batter is wet and still has small lumps.
  • Heat the pizzelle iron and spray each side with cooking spray.
  • Drop 1½ level tablespoons of batter onto the iron, close it, and cook the pizzelle for 40 to 45 seconds, or as long as the manual suggests. You want the pizzelle to be a light golden color.
  • Use a spatula to carefully remove each pizzelle from the iron and rest them flat on a cooling rack until they reach room temperature, or shape them as desired while they are still warm.
  • Repeat the last 2 steps until you have used all the remaining batter.
  • Sift powdered sugar over the pizzelle if liked, and then serve at room temperature.

Notes

Spread the lemon flavor: Rubbing the lemon zest into the sugar helps the lemon flavor spread throughout the pizzelle.
Pizzelle iron perfection: Consult your pizzelle iron manual for directions on greasing and the best cooking time for the pizzelle. You want them to be a light golden color, but some of the pizzelle may have some dark brown spots if you leave them too long. It doesn’t affect the flavor, just the texture.
Uniform sized cookies: Using a different amount of batter for each pizzelle might result in a different number of pizzelle. I used a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to get them all the same and ended up with 22 cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 163IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
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This classic pizzelle recipe shows you how to make the most delectable little cookies. Lemon pizzelle cookies are thin and delicate with a gorgeous and distinctive pattern. You’ll need an electric pizzelle iron to make these wonderful little treats. Once you’ve tried these you’ll want to make more, perhaps trying a different flavor each time.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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