Best Waffles

Waffles are a beloved family favorite, especially on lazy Sunday mornings. Whether served with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries, whipped cream, Canadian maple syrup, or Nutella, waffles are versatile and delicious. They are best enjoyed right off the waffle iron, with plenty of coffee, a good newspaper, or better yet, great conversation while you wait for your next round of hot waffles.

The waffle’s story dates back to the Iron Age, when the first iron griddles were used to make pan-cakes. It wasn’t long before someone realized that using two heated iron plates to cook a pancake would speed up the process. These early pan-cakes were savory, flavored with herbs and cheese.

In the 1200s, a craftsman created the idea of forging cooking plates with designs, transferring intricate patterns to the pancakes. These designs ranged from coats of arms and religious symbols to landscapes, but it was the honeycomb pattern that became the precursor to what we now know as the waffle. The honeycomb shape’s ability to hold syrup and honey made it particularly popular among street vendors.

"A waffle is like a pancake with a syrup trap."

— Mitch Hedberg

Waffles were introduced to America in 1620 by Pilgrims who brought the cooking technique from Holland. In 1869, Cornelius Swarthout patented the first waffle iron in the United States, and waffles quickly became a breakfast staple. Over time, waffles evolved into iconic treats like waffle cones and ice cream cones.

Recipe: Waffles

Makes: three 10-inch waffles

Ingredients:

1¾ cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 beaten egg yolks
1¾ cups milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 stiffly beaten egg whites

Instructions:

1. Sift the dry ingredients together.
   
   
2. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolks, milk, and vegetable oil.
   
   
3. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until well combined.
   
   
4. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites, leaving a few fluffy bits.
   
   
5. Preheat the waffle iron.
   
   
6. Spoon the batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown.

Serving suggestion: Serve these waffles immediately after cooking with your favorite toppings like vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of Canadian maple syrup. These waffles are also fantastic when paired with Nutella for a more decadent treat.

Tasting Notes
These waffles are light, crispy, and slightly fluffy. The addition of whipped egg whites gives them an airy texture that’s perfect for holding your favorite toppings.

More to Explore:

• Index of Recipes
• Visual Recipe Index