Holiday Gingerbread Waffles Recipe | 31Daily.com (2024)

FAQs

What makes waffles gummy? ›

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy. And stacking even the most perfect waffles will cause them to become soggy and limp in minutes.

On the flip side, waffles aren't as flaky-delicate as baked goods, making pastry flour too fine for the job. Good old AP, or all-purpose, flour is where it's at. If you want to sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of buckwheat or rye flour for added nutty heft, go for it.

Recommended overnight or 2 hr resting – for the tastiest waffles, rest the batter overnight in the fridge or for at least 2 hours. This makes the flour grains absorb the liquid so it makes the inside of the waffles softer.

Vanilla Extract

The addition of vanilla will bring depth of flavor and touch of sweetness to the waffles, without adding any extra sugar. To get the vanilla levels just right, you should use a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for every 4-5 waffles. Double it if you're making a batch of 8-10.

Our top pick is the Krusteaz Belgian Waffle Mix. The batter is smooth, and the waffles aren't too sweet. Plus, making them couldn't be easier—just add water.

A better choice is milk, says Millie Norton, a longtime waitress at Becky's Diner in Portland, Maine. “It's strange. If people start off with coffee, once they get their waffles, they switch over to water or milk,” she says.

Nuts, Seeds or Nut Butters

Almonds, hazelnuts, pecans or chia seeds can all add some delicious crunch to your pancake or waffle meal. We also love the idea of using nut butters in place of sugary syrups. Just warm a little up and drizzle it on top. This is a great way to keep a healthy breakfast interesting!

Cornstarch is our secret ingredient for making the crispiest waffles. Cornstarch guarantees that the waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender. Baking powder and baking soda help the waffles rise and brown. For the lightest waffles, I recommend using both.

Why are Belgian waffles so crispy? ›

Texture – In Belgian waffles, the eggs are separated. The yolks are whisked together with the other wet ingredients, while the whites are whipped to stiff peaks and then folded into the batter at the end. This creates a texture that is crisp on the outside and light and tender on the inside.

When you compare the two, one of the best ways to get the waffles to crisp up perfectly with a golden crust is to use oil instead of butter. Though butter tastes better, and you can always smear some on top to add flavor, oil will give you the best texture.