A beloved tradition in our home, these Waffles Cookies, aka French Cakes, are so easy and delicious.

Made in the waffle iron and devoured by the dozen, these Waffles Cookies are sweet treats that are impossible to resist.

a pile of waffle cookies

My dad made these Waffles Cookies every Christmas 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.

the recipe written on a recipe card

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 fabulous French cakes. They are the perfect treat any time of year.

French cakes piled on a plate

Recipe Tips

  • 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.
  • A bonus of these infamous waffle cookies is that you can make them in the waffle iron. The kids can even help make them by scoping the dough ahead of time for you, and the older kids can even work the waffle iron.
  • Tip no. 4
  • Tip no. 5

Ingredients

  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Butter
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract or almond extract
  • Flour
Photo collage showing the steps for making the recipe

How to Make Waffle Cookies

Cream the brown sugar, granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl for 3-4 minutes.

the ingredients being mixed into a bowl

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 more giant cookies.

the dough balls placed on the waffle iron

Cook small cookies for 1 1/2 minutes. Large cookies will need 2 minutes.

Remove from the waffle iron and cool.

cooked cookies on the waffle iron

Waffle Cookies/French Cakes FAQ

These French Cakes are very similar to an Italian Waffle Cookie, the main difference being the thickness. So, what is an Italian waffle Cookie called?

Pizzelle. Pizzelle (Italian pronunciation: [pitˈtsɛlle], singular pizzella) are traditional Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, or vegetable oil, and the flavoring commonly used is anise.

How long do waffle cookies keep?

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.

Can you add cookie dough to a waffle maker?

Of course – we love to cook chocolate chip cookie dough in ours. Preheat the waffle iron to medium-low. Generously spray the top and bottom of the waffle iron with cooking spray.

a cookie being dunked in a glass of milk

Don’t wait to try these waffle cookies – make a batch and share them with family and friends soon! This recipe is filled with so much love and care – I know you’ll love it. Enjoy!

a cookie being lifted out of the glass of milk

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collage image of waffle cookies on waffle iron and plate

Waffles Cookies

A beloved tradition in our home, these Waffles Cookies, aka French Cakes, are so easy and delicious.
waffle cookies

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.
waffle cookies
Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!

This post was recently updated, it was originally posted in October 2013.

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19 Comments

      1. 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!

    1. 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!!

  1. 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

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