Meatless Monday "Sweetness" Pizzelles and fun ways to serve them

Morning everyone!  It is 22 degrees here in NJ...my tootsies are chilly so the dachshund socks have been put on and it is less than a week till Christmas!  I still have some things to get yet and all I can say is THANK GOD for Amazon Prime! lol!!!

I also want to Welcome The Shabby Creek Cottage readers!!!

I am doing a giveaway over at the Creek so my friends...you can hop over there and enter : )

I know it is Meatless Monday just like every day here in the Cammarata household... but I really think that the rest of the year should be filled with some sweetness!!! So once again...we have sweets!

The Italian Waffle Cookie (Pizzelles) is on the menu today...yes you need an iron to make them but don't worry...you can get them all ready made just about any where...Costco (the BEST deal in town...Let me tell you they are so fabulous I wonder why I took out the iron today!!!)

Sams Club...BJ's...your local Grocery Store...the bakery...they are just about every where now and let me tell you these are SOOOO great to have them on hand for an instant dessert during this Holiday Season! I have shown a few ways of serving them and I hope you enjoy...my family enjoyed this little picture taking time because they got to eat the goodies when I was finished! 

 The Many Faces of the

Pizzelle

 They make a picture perfect gift...stacked pretty...tied with bakers twine with just a little flower a top! Viola...the perfect little gift for anyone on that special list...

You can create two different flavors to add a visual and taste "pop"!

 (chocolate and vanilla versions are readily available at the stores)

Aren't they pretty...you can use this idea with all kinds of cookies...wrap little stacks up of your favorite cookies and then place them in a tin or little bakery box and it is adorable!  Where to get some bakery boxes...try your local bakery...mine allows me to buy some blanks so I don't have to get a big wholesale order...ask them...the worse case scenario they can't but most of the time the answer is yes and don't forget the twine! 

How simple is this pretty little dessert!  Sprinkle with a touch of powdered sugar...top with a little scoop of your favorite ice cream...a simple but pretty and very tasty dessert...you can add a caramel or chocolate sauce...some extra toppings or just plain...your guests and family will love it!

perfect with any flavor pizzelle!

Here is one of my favorite things to do with these tasty little waffles...create a Pizzelle Stack!

The ones that I made for this little photo shoot were layered with Canoli Cream (recipe will be below)

If you are making your own Pizzelles...you will find out that sometimes they don't turn out perfectly which is fine...they are still yummy...but if you want them perfect just take your circle cookie cutter and even them out and start layering...

jazz up the plate with a few chocolate stripes...

sprinkle with some sweet snow...top with a touch of chocolate and WOW you have a FABULOUS and FESTIVE dessert!

This works with full size cookies and with any variety of fillings...

There are many waffer cookies that you can bake or buy and you can use the same method with them...add some of your favorite preserves...maybe some nutella (you can NEVER go wrong with nutella :) Top with chopped nuts...sprinkles...fruit...the list is endless...You can create a bakery style dessert in moments and for a FRACTION of the cost...Once again...add your creative touch...your personal spin and amazing things will come about!  

Recipe time...

Pizzelles

 

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup of canola oil (you can use melted butter if you like)
• 1 tsp of good vanilla extract (I made mine kid friendly...if you want to add the traditional flavor add a tsp and a half of anise extract or any extract flavor that you enjoy)
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 rounded tablespoon of baking powder

Directions

1. Beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the oil or melted butter and extract of your choosing. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir in gradually. Dough will be sticky.
2. Preheat your pizzelle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions. Drop batter by rounded spoonfuls onto the iron. Close and cook for about 90 seconds, or until steam stops coming out of the iron. Carefully remove and cool. Store in an airtight tin at room temperature. 
3. One thing to remember is that it is going to take a few tries till you know the right amount to drop on the iron and the timing...so be prepared to be treating the doggies or birds with a few of these tasty little treats. 

Cannoli Cream Filling Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 8 ounce bar of good cream cheese (leave on the counter till it reaches room temp)
• 1 lb container of whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp of good vanilla extract
• 1 cup of mini chocolate chips, or chunks, or dried fruits (your choice)

 Directions

     1.  Beat your cream cheese until very creamy
     2.  Add your vanilla and beat until totally blended
     3.  Now add your sugar gradually (it likes to fly : ) and beat thoroughly
     4.  Add your ricotta cheese and blend on low for about 8 minutes (your mixture should be thick and
          creamy...chill for about 2 hours and it will thicken up to a perfect consistency.) Then create!  
          Put the left over cream in a air tight container and place in the fridge...it will literally keep for 10
          days so you can just pops it out and come up with a great dessert any time during the holiday
          season! 
 (tip...to make the filling even thicker if I have the time I place the ricotta cheese in a fine sieve lined with cheese cloth...a bit of whey comes out after sitting for a few hours so the mixture is a bit thicker)

Was that too much information : ) LOL!!!! I hope not...I just wanted to share these little tips and recipes...they are just so fun and easy and very impressive.  Also something that you can prepare fresh and to order!  Let your imagination go WILD...everyone will LOVE IT!

Sending

(HUGS)

to one and all and I will see you tomorrow !!!

Enjoy your day and take 5 to relax for a moment!