How to Make Waffles- with Recipes

Making Waffles

By Diane Watkins

A well made waffle is a breakfast delight. Follow these tips to learn how to make waffles perfectly every time, then try out some of our variations of waffle recipes. First, read the directions that came with your waffle maker. The correct temperature setting is important. If the baker is too cold the waffles will stick or appear spotted. When too hot, the waffle will brown too quickly and the inside will not be cooked. You want them just right. Perfect waffles for breakfast can set you up for the day ahead like nothing else.

Preheat the waffle maker until the correct temperature is obtained, approximately 5- 8 minutes. Chocolate Waffles and Gingerbread Waffles need a slightly cooler waffle iron than plain waffles.

Pour the batter onto the pre-heated waffle iron using a ladle or pitcher. Pour batter into the center of the grid to about an inch from the outside edge. The batter will expand as it cooks and fill the grid.

If your waffles stick, the waffle iron may not be hot enough or the recipe may need more fat. Follow your waffle makers instructions about seasoning the waffle iron before the first use. An improperly seasoned waffle iron may cause sticking as well. It should not be necessary to grease the iron, the batter should have enough fat to prevent sticking.
Plain Waffles
Makes 4 waffles:

1 1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg, separated
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons melted shortening

1. Pre-heat the waffle maker.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together.
3. Beat the egg white until stiff but not dry.
4. Beat the egg yolk, add milk and melted shortening; pour into the dry ingredients, mixing only until incorporated.
5. Fold in the whipped egg white.
6. Bake 4 to 5 minutes in a hot waffle maker.
7. Serve hot with melted butter, syrup, honey or other toppings.

Variations:
Pecan Waffles:

Add ½ cup chopped pecans. Serve with ice cream and butterscotch sauce.
Orange Waffles:

Substitute 1/3 cup of orange juice and 2/3 cup of milk for the milk. Add 2 teaspoons of grated orange zest. Serve with melted butter, syrup, or powdered sugar.
Chocolate Waffles

2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cups milk
4 tablespoons shortening
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1. Preheat waffle maker to a light setting- slightly cooler than for regular waffles.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together.
3. Melt together the chocolate and shortening.
4. Separate the eggs. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry.
5. Beat the egg yolks. Add the milk, mix well, and pour into the flour mixture, then add the melted chocolate and shortening. Stir all together until just mixed. Do not over mix.
6. Fold in the beaten egg whites.
7. Bake 4 to 5 minutes in waffle maker set to a light setting.
8. Serve hot with whipped cream or ice cream.

Gingerbread Waffles

½ cup molasses
6 Tablespoons shortening
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk

1. Preheat waffle maker to a light setting- slightly cooler than for regular waffles.
2. Combine molasses and shortening in saucepan, heat to boiling point, then cool.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, soda, salt, ginger, and sugar together.
4. Beat the eggs, add the milk and cooled molasses mixture. Pour into the flour and stir just until moist.
5. Bake about 5 minutes in a waffle maker set on a light setting.
6. Serve with whipped cream, hard sauce, or stewed apples and bacon.

Apple Waffles

2 cup flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2 egg, separated
1 1/2 cup milk
6 tablespoons melted shortening
1 ½ cup pared and diced apples

1. Pre-heat the waffle maker.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and sugar together.
3. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry.
4. Beat the egg yolks, add milk and melted shortening; pour into the dry ingredients, mixing only until incorporated.
5. Fold in the whipped egg white.
6. Fold in the diced apples.
7. Bake 4 to 5 minutes in a hot waffle maker.
8. Excellent served with sausages.

Blueberry Waffles

2 cup flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoon sugar, divided
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2 egg, separated
1 1/2 cup milk
6 tablespoons melted shortening
1 cup blueberries

1. Pre-heat the waffle maker.
2. Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with the blueberries, set aside.
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and sugar together.
4. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry.
5. Beat the egg yolks, add milk and melted shortening; pour into the dry ingredients, mixing only until incorporated.
6. Fold in the whipped egg white.
7. Fold in the blueberries.
8. Bake 4 to 5 minutes in a hot waffle maker.