My Favorite Waffles

Sundays are for waffles. I am a notorious recipe tinkerer so after a few years and trying several recipes, I have found one that I really like. It is based off of a few different recipes. I love the warm comfy flavours that the cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom add but it is totally up to you. You can add one, two, or none of them if you prefer.

My Favorite Waffles

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp cardamom, optional

• 1 1/2 cups milk (I usually have 1% or 2% at home)

• 2 large eggs, separated, and 2 additional egg whites

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (you can substitute a neutral oil, like canola)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1-Sift together the flour, sugar, spices, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl or a glass measuring cup, whisk together the milk, vanilla, butter and egg yolks. Make sure your milk isn’t so cold that it causes the melted butter to solidify. Pour over the dry ingredients and very gently until just barely combined.

2- In a separate bowl or using a mixer, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites in two batches into the batter. I mix the first batch into the batter less carefully. This will help to make the batter a lighter. I am more careful folding in the second batch so I don’t lose the lift from the egg whites. There can be a few streaks of egg whites in the batter.

3- Every waffle maker is different so go with what you know about yours. In my case, it comes with a special cup measure but you can use a regular measuring cup to scoop the batter into your waffle iron. I like my waffles to be golden-brown and crispy so I cook mine on a medium-high heat and I know to take them out when the steam stops coming out of the iron. This is usually a few minutes after the timer-alarm beeps. But you do you: if you like a softer waffle, cook them for a little less time. Keep scooping waffles until you are out of batter.

4-If you are waiting for all the waffles to be finished before eating, I like to preheat my oven to the lowest setting (mine is 250 degrees). I place the cooked waffles directly on the oven rack until I’m finished with the batter. This will keep them warm and crispy until you are ready to serve. Serve with lots of maple syrup and if you are into it, a pad or two of butter. These are also great with Chantilly cream or jam or lemon curd. Enjoy!