These are the real deal Belgian sugar waffles called Liège, named after a city and a province in Belgium. They have a beautiful crunchy sugar coating and are soft and chewy on the inside. They smell like vanilla and taste like heaven. You can find them all over Europe and in the U.S. In restaurants, you can get them plain or with chocolate drizzled on them.
Luckily, you can easily make these wonderful waffles at home with any waffle iron and only one special ingredient. You will need pearl sugar. You can order it from Amazon, and it is not too expensive. Some specialty baking stores also carry it. If you are in dire straits and must have these waffles sooner than Amazon will deliver them, you can also just break up some sugar cubes.
You don't have to have a Belgian waffle iron to make these waffles, but the nice deep ridges are a plus in making these waffles amazing. These ridges are perfect for holding puddles of delicious maple syrup or whatever other flavors you enjoy. And you can also slather on some Nutella or whatever suits your taste when no one is looking.
These waffles are definitely best served immediately, preferably with some bacon and eggs. They do not store or reheat well since they tend to lose their crunchy coating and deliciousness. Some authentic waffles will include saffron, but the eggs will give the waffles their nice golden color, and the vanilla extract creates an amazing perfume of sweet deliciousness.
Tip for Making Belgian Sugar Waffles Recipe
Top with your favorite topping: fresh fruits, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, you name it, the sky's the limit.
"This is a fun treat! The dough tastes like a sweet yeast bread that's also chewy and crisp. The pearl sugar (available online or at Walmart) adds a great crunchy texture without making the waffles too sweet, so you can still serve them with syrup if you like." —Jasmine Smith
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons (20 grams) light brown sugar
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1 3/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast
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1/2 cup warm water (about 95 degrees), or scalded milk for richer flavor
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2 1/4 cups (272 grams) all-purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon fine salt
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3 large eggs
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1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
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1 cup (8 ounces) melted butter
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1 cup pearl sugar
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons (20 grams) light brown sugar, 1 3/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast, and 1/2 cup warm water (about 95 F) or scaled milk, until well combined. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
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Place 2 1/4 cups (272 grams) all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually stir in the yeast mixture until the dough is damp and shaggy-looking.
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Using an electric hand mixer on medium-low speed, beat in 3 large eggs one at a time until the mixture is just combined before adding the next egg.
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Add 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and continue to mix on medium-low until just combined. Gradually add 1 cup (8 ounces) melted butter while continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and emulsified, about 1 minute. The batter will be very sticky and have a thick but not stiff texture.
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Cover and let rise for 1 hour. Meanwhile, heat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer's directions. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 250 F. Place a rack in a large baking sheet. Set aside.
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Just before cooking the waffles, fold in 1 cup pearl sugar. If you add it too early, it will dissolve and not create a crispy coating.
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Spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter into the waffle iron. Cook until golden brown on both sides.
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Transfer the waffles to the prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until all the waffles are cooked. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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471 | Calories |
25g | Fat |
55g | Carbs |
7g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 6 to 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 471 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 25g | 32% |
Saturated Fat 15g | 76% |
Cholesterol 131mg | 44% |
Sodium 278mg | 12% |
Total Carbohydrate 55g | 20% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Total Sugars 28g | |
Protein 7g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
Calcium 26mg | 2% |
Iron 2mg | 11% |
Potassium 84mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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