A Belgian Waffle Recipe To Beat Every Other Waffle Recipe On the Planet!

What are Belgian Waffles?

Waffles are a tasty breakfast and brunch indulgence. They have become a staple of the breakfast market, along with pancakes and French toast. With deep pockets that can hold a copious quantity of syrup and butter, waffles give you more than you bargained for.

Belgian waffles are crispy and golden on the outside and light and pillowy on the inside. They are made from a batter of flour, yeast, butter, and sugar, and baked in a waffle maker. Sweet or savory, waffles can be crowned with a range of toppings -- from fruit, honey, syrup, to whipped cream.

Traditional Waffles Vs. Belgian Waffles

The primary difference between Belgian waffles and traditional waffles is the batter. Belgian waffle recipes use a waffle batter made with a yeast-based dough. It results in a lighter, fluffier texture. Other waffles recipes typically use pancake batter. It produces a denser, crispier texture.

In addition, traditional or American waffles have square corners, while the grid pattern for Belgium style or European style waffles is square, these waffles have rounded corners. Belgian waffles are perfect for reheating since they tend to be thinner than other waffles.

Interestingly, three breakfast recipes -- waffle, pancake and Crepe Recipes -- have almost identical ingredients and instructions, yet each tastes different from the other. The key difference between them is the rising agent and the cooking method.

The Humble History of the Waffle

The long, storied, and delicious history of waffles can be traced to ancient Greece, where the people of Athens made flat cakes known as obelios. These were cooked between two metal plates with wooden handles. The batter for this not-so-decadent dish typically included a mixture of flour, milk or water, and eggs -- a preparation that later become popular as the wafer. Over time, this preparation spread through medieval Europe.

But like everything else, it evolved. The batter improved from added ingredients like cinnamon and later, leavening agents. And the metal plates started to be customized. These custom-made metal plates would initially have Biblical signs, including crosses and other religious motifs. The secular and (tastier) waffles were born during medieval times. They were stamped with symbols of love (engraved on the metal plates), as well as interlocked crosses which produced a honeycomb pattern. There is no clear indication of when the grid pattern developed, but the waffle we are familiar with today was said to have become popular in the early 18th century.

Throughout Europe, countries developed their own special techniques for making waffles. In Germany, coffee waffles became popular. The French started making gaufres infused with the fragrance of cloves and a sprinkle of lemon zest. In Belgium, the chef of the prince of Liege reportedly made a thick waffle coated with caramelized sugar, now one of Belgium's most popular waffle varieties. Thanks to the Dutch settlers of the mid-eighteenth century, waffles travelled to America and were paired with maple syrup, a pairing that lives on across the country.

Ingredients for Your Scrumptious Belgian Waffles

There's something special about homemade waffles. They are fresh and flavorful and can be topped with whatever's at hand- butter, whipped cream or fresh fruit. This Belgian waffle recipe calls for-

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tablespoon baking powder or 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 1/2 tablespoon active dry yeast
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 2 large egg yolks
  
• 2 large egg white
  
• 1 cup butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm
  
• 2 cups whole milk, lukewarm
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to grease the waffle iron
  

• One cup of any homemade syrup, buttermilk or maple syrup or 1 cup of peanut butter or Nutella or cinnamon honey butter
  
• 1 cup whipped cream
  
• 2 cups fresh fruits -- bananas, strawberries, peaches, or pineapple.
  

Instructions for Making Belgian Waffles

All it takes is a few easy steps, and you'll be dishing out the best waffles on the block.

1. In a small-sized mixing bowl, whisk the active yeast in half cup of lukewarm milk. Let the yeast work for about 10 minutes or until it acquires a creamy texture.
   
2. Take a medium-sized mixing bowl and add the dry ingredients -- flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix them with a stirrer and set them aside.
   
3. Take a large mixing-bowl, and add the wet ingredients -- egg yolks, half cup of lukewarm milk and melted butter. Stir in the yeast mixture, sugar, and vanilla extract and mix well to combine. Add the remaining milk alternately with the dry ingredients in small batches, ending with the dry ingredients to make the smooth batter. Avoid the formation of lumps.
   
4. Beat the egg whites with an electric hand blender on high speed for two to three minutes or until soft peaks form.
   
5. Flip the beaten egg whites into the batter and gently mix them. Make Sure not to over-mix.
   
6. Cover the bowl tightly with cellophane wrap. Let the batter sit at room temperature for about one hour or until the batter rises to the surface.
   
7. Preheat the waffle iron. Grease it with vegetable oil and scoop the half cup of batter onto the centre of the iron. Close the lid of your waffle-maker and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the waffle is golden brown. Serve immediately with the topping of maple syrup, whipped cream and freshly cut fruit.
   

How to Choose the Right Waffle Maker

If you want perfect waffles, you need the right waffle maker. Like slow cookers, there are many models of waffle makers in the market, from electric, to old-style cast-iron waffle makers. Choose a waffle maker according to the shape and thickness you prefer. If you like fluffy waffles dotted with craters deep enough to hold toppings and syrup, buy the one that makes Belgian-style waffles. This waffle-maker, being larger, gives you more room to experiment too. But if you prefer thinner waffles, a classic waffle-maker is what you should go for. Supermarkets typically sell both varieties.

There are five key things to consider when you shop-

Size and shape- From classic, round waffles to Belgian-style waffles, the way your waffle appears will depend on the waffle-maker. While there are no wrong choices, you can try different recipes to ensure you get what you were expecting from your new appliance.

Special features- Almost every waffle maker in the store today is nonstick. Some have a special rotary function to flip the waffle to ensure even browning on both sides. Others with browning controls let you choose the degree of browning from a range of options. Food Preparation takes time and these features help reduce prep time. Some multipurpose models have interchangeable plates for waffles or sandwiches.

Stovetop waffle irons- These are also available in many varieties. When choosing a stovetop waffle iron, go with the dark nonstick metal ones as they are less prone to sticking. Try to get one with flat handles that allow the waffle iron to sit flush along your stovetop for safety.

Cooking- It's important to remember that yield and timing will vary. Each waffle-maker has an average capacity of 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of batter. So if you want to cook more waffles in less time, choose bigger models.

Cleaning- Read the manufacturer's cleaning instructions before using your waffle maker for the first time. Always allow it to cool completely before you clean it. A damp washcloth for the exterior works just fine. For grease removal, wrap a chopstick in a paper towel and run it through the grates. Crumbs can be easily removed with a waffle brush or plain old pastry brush. The removable plates on your model should be hand-washed in warm, soapy water, and air-dried after washing.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

• To mix the batter better, let the cold eggs sit at room temperature before mixing them with the batter.
  
• The most important trick to making light and fluffy waffles is to separate the egg yolks and egg whites. Whisk together the egg-whites with an electric hand blender on high speed until they form soft peaks, and then flip the liquid into the batter at the end. It results in a crispy exterior and cloud-like interior.
  
• When flipping the egg whites into the batter, do it gently to retain the maximum possible air for fluffiness. Never over-mix.
  
• Some of the best homemade waffle recipes use buttermilk instead of milk. It gives the waffles more flavor and tang.
  
• If you want extra-crispy waffles, add half a cup of cornstarch to the dry ingredients, with all-purpose flour and a little more milk to achieve the right consistency of batter.
  
• The best waffle recipe yields better waffles only when the waffle iron is heated to a high enough temperature.
  
• Don't use cooking spray on a non-stick waffle iron.