One of my favorite childhood memories was of my grandmother’s pizzelle cookies that she made at Christmas. Actually other than my mother’s beloved oatmeal cookies, the pizzelle is my absolute favorite cookie! Wanting to share this Italian tradition with my daughters, I started making these cookies for them and they fell in love too. So of course I had to make a doll sized version! Today I will share with you how to make a doll sized pizzelle press and cookies for your American Girl dolls and other 18 inch dolls that includes step by step instructions and free printables!
So far, my absolute favorite pizzelle press is from Chef’s Choice which was purchased at Williams Sonoma. I patterned the doll version not only after this press, but from several other images of presses found on internet searches. Below is a side by side comparison of the outside….pretty darn close if I do say so myself!
Below is an image of the pizzelle press grates that were inspiration. I worked with an AMAZING graphic designer, Michal Eshkol, who designed these pizzelle grates and cookie patterns at my request! You can find Michal here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/pickApixel . I can’t say enough wonderful things about this designer; talented, kind, and very patient…working and reworking images for me to get them just right for this project! I simply had to do a little color and scale tweaking….and done. THANK YOU Michal!
Let’s get to it! Below are the steps to create this doll sized pizzelle press.
- I found the perfect hinged tin to make the press at Michaels. This tin came in a two pack from Art-C. This tin was meant to be an accordion book.
- You have to fill in/up the bottom with foam paper. Press the bottom tin against the paper to mark your pattern.
- Cut out your foam. I layered two pieces of thick craft foam paper and then two pieces of thin craft foam paper. (think foam paper is about the thickness of two thin pieces)
- Place foam into bottom of tin and layer until just below the lip. No need for glue…the foam should fit snug in place. But if needed, a glue stick works fine.
5. Next take your color choice of card stock paper and trace, cut, glue: bottom over the foam and top directly over the tin. I choice to use a dark gray textured paper. Below is the printable for the doll sized pizzelle maker grates. Simply print, cut, and glue. I used a glue stick. To get these perfect cut circles I used my old Creative Memories 1-1/4 inch circle punch. Scissors will work just as well.
Find your free doll pizzelle press grates and sign printable here: doll-pizzelle-press-grates
6. To create the handle of the doll pizzelle press, take the hinge off of a mini clothes pin.
7. Cut down one of the halves (this will create your bottom handle – a bottom handle is often seen on presses). I used a fine tooth coping saw. An Exacto knife would easily work too. Then sand the pieces.
8. Paint the would pieces black. Using Aleene’s Glass Glue, glue top piece to top center of tin. Then glue smaller pieces to bottom center front. Either use a label maker to create your “Pizzelle Press” sign or use the sign that is included in the grates printable above. I used a circle hole punch and red foam paper to create a “ready light.”
10. Using glass glue, glue black pony beads to the bottom for feet.
Now for the Pizzelle Cookies!! With the help of Michal Eshkol, I have created a printable with vanilla an chocolate pizzelles. Each measures 1-1/4 inch. Pizzelles were printed onto 65 lb weight cardstock paper.
Your free doll sized pizzlle cookie printable is here: doll-pizzelle-cookies
The cookies are a perfect fit in the doll pizzelle press! I foresee stacks and stacks of the sweet cookies!
This pizzelle is a very good fit for an 18 inch doll’s hand. I LOVE all the cookie details!!! Why not make a paper thin cookie…out of…paper?! Looks so realistic!
I love this scene! Looks festive! I think my Grandmother would have loved this craft!
I have also made doll sized coloring pages for other Italian Christmas traditions, one for la Befana and one for Dominick the Donkey! See below for your free printables.
la-befana-doll-sized-coloring-pages
dominick-the-donkey-doll-sized-coloring-pages
For kid size Italian Christmas ideas and printables see here: http://brandyshappyhome.com/italian-christmas-traditions-for-the-classroom/
Craft on…. and….Buon Natale! 
Hi Brandy! Our girl scout troop has Italy for World Thinking Day this year. On World Thinking Day girls visit booths representing various countries that also have Girl Scouts. The girls learn about the countries, sample food, trade swaps, and make a craft. This post has totally inspired me to set up a American Girl Italian dinner as part of our booth. I think the girls would love it! Any suggestions? I will need to come up with some cute Italian looking clothes for the dolls. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Hi Amanda! I am so excited for your scout troop. The World Thinking day sounds like so much fun. Feel free to email me at Brandy@BrandysHappyHome.com so we can share ideas for your event.
I can’t wait to start on this project. What are the measurements of the tin box?
This looks like such a fun set. Thanks for sharing it with us. Would the cookies
be to thick if I glued them on art foam?
Hi Linda, the tin is around 3 inches long by 1-1/2 inches wide. The tin in post is made by Art-C and can be purchased at Michaels Craft Stores.
I forgot to mention…yes I think adding thin tan foam between the cookie images would be very nice! I don’t think it would be too thick at all!
Thanks for all the info. I’ll stop at Michael’s on my way home from work today.
Made it last night; your instructions were great!
Now what are we going to make from the extra box? 🙂
Awesome! Post a pic on my facebook page if you get a chance! Hmm…let me think it over…maybe a panini maker? 🙂
This is so cute! My mom always made pizzelles too, she wasn’t Italian but grew up with Italian neighbors. I can still remember the way the house smelled after she made them.
I saw that Hallmark ornament on the website and wondered if it was the right scale. Looks like I need to make a trip out to pick one up!
Oh those cookie smells are the best memories!
My mom made pizzelles every Christmas too! (Although we’re Mexican, not Italian.) I love your doll sized version. Did you make the crayon box too?
Hi Mary! Thank you! I love family traditions! I did not make the crayon box. It is a Hallmark ornament. I believe they are still available through Kohls.