Waffles!

Who doesn't like waffles? I mean really, those adorable little holes that suck up whatever yummy goodness you put on them? I remember loving to pop them in the toaster and gobble them up as soon as they popped. It wasn't until I was older that I realized waffles came from an appliance other than the toaster! Not long after I was married I purchased a waffle iron. I used it a few times with a simple box mix, and they were ok, but not great. I would probably pull out the waffle iron once a year. But it was handy to have around.

5 years ago I gave birth to a beautiful son with peanut and tree nut allergies. As a result, processed food and box mixes have been removed from my pantry. I started working to find the best recipes for many items. Our family loves Brinner (breakfast for dinner), we make waffles or pancakes, bacon, sausage, fried potatos, fruit, and orange juice and end the day with a bang! There are many great recipes out there, but the other essential part of the recipe for me was simplicity. I started with a simple recipe and I combined the flavors I use in my angel food cake, almond and vanilla, to make a waffle that tastes good even plain. These make a lovely, flavorful waffle that are great topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Brinner is served!


I listed vanilla sugar as an ingredient for this recipe. Regular sugar can be subsituted if you do not have vanilla sugar. I highly recommend taking the time to make some vanilla sugar or purchasing some as it adds to the flavor. I keep a container with 2 vanilla beans and a pound of sugar in my pantry for these occassions. And during the summer it's great for vanilla ice cream!


Recipes that require separating the eggs, and beating the egg whites make a lovely waffle, but after work, I just don't have the energy for that much work. You can do that with this recipe, but it's really not necessary.


I also mix this up in a Pampered Chef mix and pour bowl so that I can easily just pour them on the griddle.

Waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons vanilla sugar
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond flavoring or extract

Preheat your waffle iron while you mix up the batter.


Melt butter and warm your milk on the stovetop or in the microwave. It should feel warm to the touch but not hot. Slightly beat the 2 eggs in a dish.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and vanilla sugar.

Add the eggs, butter, milk, vanilla and almond flavoring. Mix until well blended.

Pour the batter on to the waffle iron and cook until golden.

Makes 16 waffles or 4 4x4 sheets.