If you’ve been following my blog, then you have read my rants about “Taste Of Belgium” right here in Cincinnati, OH. It is a wonderful cafe styled restaurant that serve Belgium food and Belgium beer. The best thing that comes out of this restaurant is their waffles. I won’t retell the story about how I came about learning about them, but they are simply amazing.
But I am mad at myself guys. I am mad because I broke a rule that I have given myself when these waffles became one of my favorite things to eat. The rule was that I was to never, EVER, EVER EVER EVER, make these at home. And for a long time I didn’t think I could because of the sugar that is in them. You can’t find that sugar at your average Kroger, at first I thought, you had to order them. Well as I took a trip to a wonderful world market that we have here in Cincinnati called Jungle Jim’s, I seen that damn pearl sugar that you need to make these waffles. So I asked myself, “Do I, or don’t I”? Well, I did. I was nervous but at least I would know that some of the most amazing things in this world isn’t meant to be made at home. Sometimes you have to leave it to the professionals Well, spin me around, smell my natural hair, and call me a professional because, gosh darn it, I made them! I made these wonderful waffles and there is a small part of me that detests myself because of it. They….are…. fabulously delicious.
I must warn you, these waffles are not your typical Belgian waffle that you get from the Waffle House. They aren’t light and fluffy They are dense, flaky, and sweet. You can still put syrup on top of them, just know that the texture will be unlike you ever had in your life. It is important for you to know that. However, I promise you, they are worth it!
If you are in Cincinnati you can find the Belgian Pearl Sugar at Jungle Jim’s.
If you are not in Cincinnati, I would check you local world food market to see if they have this sugar. I would not substitute this sugar with Swedish Sugar. You can also buy the sugar online. Here is a link that I found that may be helpful.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lars-Own-Belgian-Pearl-Sugar-8-oz-Pack-of-6/21090870
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“Liege” Belgian Sugar Waffles
Ingredients
- • 1 package Dry Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packet
- • ¾ cups Lukewarm Milk
- • 2 sticks Unsalted Butter, Softened
- • ½ teaspoons Salt
- • 1 dash Cinnamon, Optional
- • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- • 3-½ cups Flour
- • 8 ounces, weight Belgian Pearl Sugar
Instructions
- 1. Dissolve yeast in a bowl with the lukewarm milk. You can warm the milk by placing it in the microwave for about 45 seconds.
- 2. In the bowl of a standing mixing bowl, mix together the butter, salt, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Change the mixer tool to the dough hook. Slowly add the flour into the butter mixture while interchangeably adding the yeast mixture. Allow the mixer to knead the dough until well mixed, for about 3 minutes. Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it doubles in size (this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour).
- 3. Turn on your waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions and allow it to get very hot. This is important because it has to melt the pearl sugar. Once your dough has doubled in size, add the sugar by mixing it in with your hands. The dough will still feel very “doughy” and that is okay.
- 4. Once the sugar is well incorporated, pour some of the thick batter onto the waffle iron (amount that your waffle iron instructions specify) and spread it out with a rubber spatula. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes. If that is not long enough, and you want it crisper, cook longer. The waffle should be nice and golden brown and the rock sugar should completely caramelize. Remove cooked waffle from the waffle iron and put it on a plate while you finish making the rest of the waffles.
- 5. Serve as is or you can top with whipped cream and berries or you can serve with ice cream. Yum!
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