A beloved tradition in our home, these French Cakes, aka Waffle Cookies, are so easy and delicious.
Made in the waffle iron and devoured by the dozen, these French Cakes are sweet treats that are impossible to resist.
My dad made these French Cakes every Christmas that I can remember while growing up and they were always one of my favorite things about the holidays.
They’re also known as waffle cookies and they are delectable little bites. The aroma in the kitchen when my dad made these waffle cookies is a memory I hold dear and I can only hope my kids carry the same memory of making them with me in our kitchen.
Recently, my dad and I made a batch together at my house, and it was wonderful. My dad just retired four months ago from the local fire department, where he worked for 43 years.
He was known for all of his delicious food, including these French cakes. The recipe actually came from my dad’s mentor, Larry Strope, who was more like his father figure at the fire department.
We mostly make these cookies during the holidays, but every so often we make a batch during the year as a surprise for the kids. One bite just takes me back to cozy December days.
So, you don’t need to wait until Christmas to make these wonderful French cakes. They are the perfect treat anytime of year.
What is great about these cookies is that they freeze well and you can switch up the flavor of extract you use.
The recipe calls for vanilla which is my favorite because it reminds me of a waffle cone, but my kids and hubs prefer almond extract because that is what I put in our crepes. Either way, all of us will devour regardless of the extract we use.
An added bonus of these infamous waffle cookies is that you can make them in the waffle iron. The kids can even help out with making them by scoping the dough ahead of time for you and the older kids can even work the waffle iron.
Ingredients
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract or almond extract
- Flour
How to Make Waffle Cookies
Cream the brown sugar, granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl for 3-4 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time. Make sure the egg is incorporated before you add the next one. Mix in the vanilla followed by the flour.
Chill the batter in the fridge for 1 hour.
Heat waffle iron and once it’s hot, place 1 scoop of dough in the center of each square.
You can use a cookie dough scooper for small cookies or an ice-cream scooper for a larger cookie.
Cook small cookies for 1 1/2 minutes. Large cookies will need 2 minutes.
Remove from waffle iron and cool.
Waffle Cookies/French Cakes FAQ
Pizzelle. Pizzelle (Italian pronunciation: [pitˈtsɛlle], singular pizzella) are traditional Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter or vegetable oil, and flavoring commonly used is anise.
I think they are best served warm from the waffle iron, but they will keep for a few days at room temperature as long as they are stored in an airtight container.
Of course – we love to cook chocolate chip cookie dough in ours. Preheat waffle iron to medium-low. Generously spray the top and bottom of the waffle iron with cooking spray.
Using a cookie dough scooper or a tablespoon of the dough, roll into balls and flatten slightly and place in the waffle maker. Work in batches, place 1-2 cookie dough round(s) onto each section of the waffle iron, close gently and cook until slightly crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. YUM!
Don’t wait to give these waffle cookies a try – make a batch and share them with family and friends soon! This recipe is filled with so much love and care – I just know you’re going to love it. Enjoy! XOXO San
More Favorite Cookies
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for French Cakes to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
French Cakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cups of sugar
- 1 lb. butter real butter no substitutes
- 5 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 7 cups flour
Instructions
- Cream the brown sugar, sugar and butter for 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, make sure the egg is well mixed in before you add the next one.
- Add vanilla.
- Add the flour.
- Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Heat waffle iron – once waffle iron is hot place 1 scoop of dough in the center of each square (mine makes 4 waffles, so it makes 4 cookies). You can use a cookie dough scooper for small cookies or an ice-cream scooper for a larger cookie (pictured) – close waffle iron.
- Let it cook for 1 1/2 minutes, small cookie or 2 minutes for large cookie.
- Remove from waffle iron and cool.
This post was recently updated, it was originally posted in October 2013.
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I have never seen cookies like this before, I am intrigued and can’t wait to try them!
Awesome! Can’t wait for you to try them. Enjoy – we gave them as teacher treats yesterday. San
As the receiver of the teacher treat, I must say…”WOW”!! Those were fantastic and such a wonderful treat after school. My family will never know how good they are because they never made it to the car! Thanks!
French Cookies are a Christmas favorite in my family too. I inherited a French Cookieiron from my mother and make them each Christmas. My grandmother started the tradition and lived in Hartford City, Indiana. Your recipe is exactly like the one we use!!
Thanks for sharing these at Talking Tuesdays. They look amazing!
How do i rate your recipes – i try clicking on the stars and it won’t let me. To me pretty much everything you do is 4 or 5 on a 1-5 scale!! And you’re a 999,999,999,999,999,999,999 – lunacrisp
I’ve never had a waffle cookie! So cute!
These Waffle Cookies sounds interesting, would love to give it a try!
Hi! These look delicious. How long will they stay crispy/fresh? Do they need to be eaten the day of? Thank you!
These are also great for camping and backpacking trips!! Great energy boosters and don’t melt or crumble!
Where did you get your waffle iron??
We used a square Cuisinart 4 Slice Belgian Waffle Maker for this recipe
These are so amazing! They’re like little waffle cookies. I can’t wait to make them.
These look fantastic and I bet would make for a wonderful gift for someone this year!
Sounds incredibly delicious! That is definitely a must make!
I’ve never heard of French cakes, but I can’t wait to try them as they look so amazing!
Yum! I am sure these will be my new favorite treat! Mmmmm…. the best!