You may have encountered a waffle or two when you’re out at your favourite restaurant lately, and I’m not talking about the breakfast menu. I don’t know if you would have seen chicken and waffles or waffle burgers for dinner a few years ago, but Canadians everywhere are jumping on the waffle bandwagon and enjoying them as dessert, an alternate to buns, and as a side dish instead of fries.
I’ve a huge fan of waffles, have been for a long time, and I have the small appliances to show for it. I’ve always had a traditional waffle maker at home, but a year ago I brought the Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker to create Belgian waffles. That was a wise investment, and since that time I’ve created so many great dishes that include waffles.
The only thing you need to start making waffles at home is a waffle maker and a great recipe, and I’ve got a few you can try this weekend. Before you know it you’ll be making waffles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
True Belgian Waffle Recipe
This recipe from tasteofhome.com is one of the best I’ve tried for making true Belgian waffles. I use my round waffle maker for these and they always turn out fluffy and golden brown. You can eat these with whip cream, slice them and use them as a shell for burgers, or eat them with chicken strips. Either way, they taste great.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups milk
1 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sliced fresh strawberries or syrup
Directions
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder. In another bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. Add milk, butter and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.
Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions until golden brown. Serve with strawberries or syrup.
Classic Waffles
Classic waffles are a little different than Belgian waffles. Because you don’t whip the egg whites separately they are denser and not quite as fluffy. Photo and recipe from Allrecipes.com.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar; set aside. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in the milk, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture; beat until blended.
Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Cook the waffles until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.
Maple Brown Butter Dessert Waffles
From Martha Stewart, these Maple waffles are so so good. They’re perfect if you’re in the mood for a blend of syrup and butter.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Eggs Large White
1 3/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave 6 tablespoons butter until melted, about 30 seconds. Add eggs and buttermilk; whisk to combine. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and whisk until batter is almost smooth; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. In a small saucepan, heat 6 tablespoons butter over medium, swirling pan occasionally, until golden brown and most of the foam has subsided, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately pour into maple mixture and whisk until mixture forms a ribbon when you lift the whisk. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
Heat a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Pour 1 1/3 cups batter onto iron and close; cook until waffle is golden and crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining batter.
Pour maple glaze onto a dinner plate. Dip one side of each waffle into glaze. To serve, cut each waffle in half and sprinkle with pecans.
Wonuts
There is absolutely nothing wrong with adding sprinkles to everything. These Wonuts are an amazing combo of donuts and waffles, and they make a great dessert because they’re covered with sprinkles and chocolate. Photo and recipe from delish.com.
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 Egg, lightly beaten
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. chocolate chips, melted
Rainbow sprinkles, for serving
Cooking spray
Directions
Preheat waffle maker.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, sour cream and vanilla until evenly combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
When the waffle maker is hot, grease with cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the center of waffle iron and cook until the wonut golden. Place on a cooling rack while you cook the rest.
Spoon melted chocolate onto the center of each wonut, then top with rainbow sprinkles. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Making waffles is addicting. I can’t stop trying to find new recipes, adding in new ingredients, and trying them in the most unusual combinations. After making so many my best waffle tips are to invest in a good waffle maker, make small batches instead of doubling up, and occasionally wipe down the non-stick grill of your waffle iron with a bit of coconut or olive oil to keep your waffles from sticking.
As for toppings, you can’t go wrong with strawberries or raspberries, nuts like pecans and almond slices, and always use real whip cream. You can make your own with an immersion blender or stand mixer and use it to create beautiful waffles.
Which of these amazing waffle recipes will you try this weekend? I can guarantee that whichever one you do, you’ll be back for more. Here are a few of my favourite small appliances for waffles.
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Main image from Experienceportlandia.com
For regular eaters like you and I, something as unassuming as a cast iron waffle maker usually entails nothing but a bunch of inch-thick, deep-pocketed treats for the bliss and enjoyment of the whole family. Yet as this more often than not underrated piece of wonder lies at the ready beside your favorite coffee maker, you would be amazed that it goes down along the annals of history as an innovative breakthrough than transcended even slavery and continental gaps…
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