The Best Classic Belgian Waffles

Good food doesn’t have to mean complicated recipes! This waffle batter is mixed by hand as per my mum’s instructions. 

Belgian waffles

If you have visited Belgium, you have probably tasted great food and the waffles, an essential eat in Belgium! Waffles generally have a good portion of whipped cream, but waffles have deep ‘pockets’ and are perfect for additional fillings such as butter, sugar, jam, syrup, or fruit coulis. Whatever your choice, there is nothing quite like a classic Belgian waffle.

Origin of Belgian waffles

The waffle has existed since the middle ages but was first presented in Brussels at the World Expo of 1958. Maurice Vermersch, a cook from Brussels then took it to the USA and named it the Belgian Waffle. Over time this delicacy spread around the world and more toppings originated. 

Although we Belgians love delicious homemade waffles, we usually save them as a treat or only make them for a celebration with the leftovers sometimes eaten at breakfast.

belgian waffles

Tips to bake delicious waffles

  • Lots of fresh yeast is traditionally used to make the batter as it adds the typical yeasty flavour. Yeast also helps the batter to double in volume before baking.
  • The egg whites are separated from the yolks and beaten to soft peaks before folding into the batter. This creates light, soft waffles with a crispy texture on the outside.
  • Make sure the waffle maker or waffle iron is hot enough before starting to bake. Rectangular waffles are traditional, but nowadays square and round waffles are available.
Belgian waffles

Classic Belgian Waffles

Whatever your choice, there is nothing quite like a classic Belgian waffle
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course baking, Breakfast, Desserts
Cuisine Belgian
Servings 1 kg
Calories 5904 kcal

EQUIPMENT (click pictures for details)

Ingredients
 
 

  • 200 gr margarine
  • 1 L milk
  • 750 ml water
  • 42 gr fresh yeast
  • 1 kg flour
  • 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
  • 1 tbsp sodium bicarbonate
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar or cassonade
  • 1 pinch of cinnamon optional
  • 7 pcs egg yolks
  • 7 pcs egg whites

Instructions
 

  • Melt the margarine in the milk over a low heat. Add the water to the milk and make sure the temperature reaches only 25-30°C maximum.
    melting margarine in milk
  • Dissolve the fresh yeast with 4 tbsp of the lukewarm milk.
    dissolving yeast in lukewarm milk
  • Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks.
    wisking egg whites to soft peaks

Prepare the waffle batter

  • Combine the flour, vanilla sugar, sodium bicarbonate, brown sugar and egg yolks in a very large bowl or stock pot.
    mixing all dry ingredients for waffles
  • Add the warmed milk gradually to the flour mixture and combine.
    adding warm milk to dry ingredients
  • Blend the waffle batter with the hand blender to remove the lumps that may remain.
    blending waffle batter
  • Add the dissolved fresh yeast to the mixture.
    adding yeast
  • To finish, gently mix in the soft peaked egg whites.
    adding egg whites
  • Cover the pot with a kitchen towel and let the waffle dough rise for an hour. The batter will remain a liquid but will double in size.
    covering the batter to rise
  • Heat up the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cook the waffle(s) for a few minutes. A perfect waffle will be of a nice golden colour with a slightly crisp bite.
    baking waffles

Nutrition for 1 portion

Serving: 1kgCalories: 5904kcalCarbohydrates: 856gProtein: 144gFat: 207gCholesterol: 199mgSodium: 5653mgFiber: 30gSugar: 88gVitamin A: 8926IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 1539mgIron: 48mg
Keyword waffle maker, waffles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! #culinaryambition

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating