Recipe: Liege Waffles (Gaufre de Liege)

My cousin Renelle made these waffles a few weekends ago and they are AMAZING!!!!  You don’t even need to put syrup on the waffles!  I ate mine with blueberries on top.  Later that weekend I had them just plain and they were sweet and tasty. You may want to make these the night before if you are planning on an an early breakfast otherwise they would make a great brunch since the dough has to rise.  They are just as delicious reheated as well.  Renelle made deep Belgian waffles for everyone, thanks Renelle for sharing such an awesome recipe with us!!!

 

 

Liege Waffles:

Sponge –

• 4 1/2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
• 1 1/3 cups warm Milk
• 1 3/4 cups Flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated Sugar
• 1 Egg, lightly beaten

Batter –

• 9 tablespoons unsalted Butter (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
• Pinch of Salt
• 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
• 3/4 cup Pearl Sugar
• Extra Flour (for sprinkling)

Directions

Sponge –

1. In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast over the milk.  Add 1 tablespoon of flour and sugar; set aside for 5 minutes or until foamy.
2. Sift remaining flour into a large mixing bowl.  Make a well in center and add yeast mixture and egg.  Stir well to make a smooth batter.
3. Cover with plastic wrap; set aside in a warm place and let rise until doubled or tripled in bulk, about 2 hours.

Batter –

1. Place butter, flour, vanilla, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and pearl sugar into a bowl and work with back of a wooden spoon to form a paste.
2. Work butter mixture into a sponge mixture until well combined.  Cover, and set aside for 10 minutes
3. With floured hands, shape dough into 10 balls.  Flatten one slightly and dust it with flour.  If dough seems too wet to handle, just pour the batter directly onto the waffle iron.
4. Heat a waffle iron until medium hot.  Place a flattened ball in the middle of the iron; close top.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.  If waffle iron is too hot, sugar will burn.  Continue baking until all the waffles are done.  Waffles may be kept warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.

Yields:  10 Waffles

Photo by EvinDC