Who hasn't tried waffles? Crispy, with various tasty fillings, aromatic. Surely every child loves them, and adults too. We are used to the fact that these confectionery products can be bought in stores, loose or in rustling colorful packages. However, recently Belgian waffles, which differ in many ways from factory-made ones, have become increasingly popular. They are eaten hot in cafes and in Waffle Houses specially designed for this purpose. And if you have a special waffle iron, you can prepare them at home. Before we begin to describe the distinctive features of these delicacies, as well as describe the recipe for Belgian waffles for an electric waffle iron, let's take a short excursion into the past and find out where and when these delicacies were first produced.
Origin story
According to some sources, the first waffles were prepared back in Ancient Greece. Of course, they were not called as they are today, since the word waffel is of German origin and is translated as “cell”, “honeycomb”, because the prints from the waffle iron resemble a honeycomb. In Germany they have been baked since the 13th century and only for master's tables. They were a favorite dessert of kings and brilliant nobles, but the poor were forbidden to bake waffles for themselves under pain of severe punishment. However, no matter how long the recipes for their preparation were kept in the strictest confidence, they soon spread throughout northwestern Europe. Today, these delicacies are considered the most popular desserts in Denmark, Holland, Austria, Germany and Belgium. Throughout Russia and the CIS countries today you can find many cafes that serve hot, appetizing, dipped in various delicious fondants, cream, glaze, etc., not German, not Austrian, not Danish, but “Belgian” waffles. These are no longer just confectionery products, but a real brand, like, for example, Kiev cake or Italian ice cream, etc.
Features of Belgian cuisine
Modern Belgian cuisine combines the traditional features of dishes from French, Dutch, and German cuisines, as well as the culinary features of medieval Belgium. It is famous all over the world for its chocolate and waffles, chips and beer. In this European country Culinary art is highly valued. There are thousands of upscale restaurants here, and Waffle House is among them. Belgian waffles are soft, they are almost nothing like the crispy ones we are used to buying in the store. They are even somewhat reminiscent of our pancakes, only they have a crispy crust.
There are many recipes for their preparation. Depending on the ingredients used and the cooking method, waffles can taste completely different. Some of them are buttery, but there are also lean ones, the recipe of which does not include animal products, even milk is replaced with soy milk. If there is a waffle iron in the house, then even a child can prepare this dessert on his own. In a word, the recipe for Belgian waffles in a waffle iron is very simple, and most importantly, very fast, which is why many people prefer to cook them for breakfast. This is a really good start to the day! In a matter of minutes, fragrant waffles will already be on your morning table and whet your appetite with their rosy appearance. Later in the article we will tell you how to prepare Belgian waffles at home using several original recipes. You will see for yourself that there is nothing complicated about it.
Belgian waffles: Brussels recipe
As already mentioned, there are many recipes for baking these confectionery products. However, the most famous of them are Liege (Walloon) and Brussels, that is, Flemish. The first ones are harder, have an oval or round shape, and may contain “sugar pearls” (caramelized sugar). These are crispy Belgian waffles. But the Brussels ones are more airy and soft. They have a rectangular shape. As a rule, the waffle dough is unsweetened, so before use the finished products are sprinkled with powdered sugar, poured with syrup, jam, decorated with chocolate glaze, cream, etc.
Brussels waffle batter
Here is a list of products that will be needed to prepare this delicacy: three chicken eggs, a large glass of boiled chilled milk, half a stick of butter or margarine, a dessert spoon of dry yeast, a pinch of salt and 7 tbsp. spoons (250 g) flour.
Cooking method
Knowing all the necessary ingredients that go into making waffles is not all that is required to get a great end result. Despite the fact that preparing them is quite simple, you still need to know some nuances to make Belgian waffles truly delicious. We present to your attention step-by-step instructions:
Liege delicacy: recipe for Belgian waffles in a waffle iron
But these delicacies turn out denser and crispier. To prepare them you need to have the following ingredients on hand:
- 0.5 kilograms of flour;
- 1 coffee cup of granulated sugar and 150 g of sugar pearls;
- 1 heaped teaspoon of yeast (dry);
- a pack of sweet and salty butter;
- 0.5 cups of milk (you can use water);
- three eggs;
- vanillin;
- a pinch of salt.
Now we will prepare Belgian waffles. The first thing to do is prepare a dough from milk, yeast, salt and 1 tbsp. spoons of sugar. Leave to ferment for about 15-20 minutes. Then sift the flour in the form of a slide and make a depression. Pour in the milk-yeast mixture in a stream, break the eggs there, add melted butter and granulated sugar. Knead the dough thoroughly and leave to rise for 30 minutes. Then add sugar pearls to it. Now you can bake waffles. To do this, grease the mold with oil. We form small balls from the dough. Place them one by one in the middle of the waffle iron, press down and bake for about four minutes.
These waffles, unlike the previous recipe, are sweet and can be eaten without any sauce or fudge. In addition, the filling may cause the product to become soft and not crunchy.
Vegetarian waffles
Of course, to prepare these delicate confectionery products, the Belgians use a large number of ingredients, including those of animal origin. However, our resourceful housewives found a new formula. With its help you can bake lean Belgian waffles, the recipe of which does not contain eggs, butter or cow's milk. Topped with jam or preserves, they can be a wonderful dessert during Lent. We offer you a recipe for so-called vegetarian waffles.
Compound
So, you will need the following products:
- 2 cups premium flour;
- 2 teaspoons baking powder;
- 1-2 tbsp. spoons of granulated sugar;
- 0.5 teaspoon of soda and the same amount of salt;
- soy milk - half a liter;
- three tablespoons of vegetable oil.
You can add cinnamon, vanilla, ground nutmeg to the dough for flavor, and a quarter teaspoon of turmeric to give the waffles a golden color.
Preparation
Combine all dry and liquid products, and then mix well until smooth. That's it, the dough is ready. Since it does not contain yeast, there is no need to wait for it to rise before baking. Lubricate the electric waffle iron vegetable oil using a brush and fill it with dough. Close the lid and bake for 7-8 minutes until golden brown. If you like your waffles crispy, you can let them sit for up to 10 minutes. Just be careful that they don't burn. Since these are lean waffles, cream, ice cream, milk chocolate spread or butter cream They won’t be suitable as a filling, but jam, preserves and pieces of fruit sprinkled with fruit syrup will be quite appropriate. Here is an excellent dish for your Lenten table.
Special equipment for waffles
Some may have been interested in the question of whether these confectionery products can be prepared without special equipment. It turns out not. After all, waffles differ from other baked goods in that they have a honeycomb-shaped imprint on the surface, and those that the waffle iron leaves for Belgian waffles are large and distinct. The most primitive equipment for preparing these delicacies is a folding form made of durable metal, similar to a book. She has handles. After filling with dough, it is placed on the burner of a gas or electric stove and the delicacy is baked in this way. However, modern waffle irons run on electricity. They are much more convenient to use. Electric waffle irons can be purchased at a household goods store or ordered in an online store. Today there are many different models of this simple equipment. In them, waffles can be prepared in a matter of minutes and served hot.
Conclusion
A day that starts with hot, fragrant and crispy Belgian waffles cannot be a bad day. Already in the morning, positive emotions and good mood are guaranteed! European kings and illustrious nobles knew a lot about this delicacy. It is not for nothing that the great artists and scientists Strauss and Chopin, Kafka and Goethe, Nobel and Fred, and many others, preferred these delicious confectionery products for breakfast. Today, the fame of Belgian waffles has spread throughout the world. Each cook brings something special to their recipe and improvises with fillings. In countries far from Belgium, for example in Georgia or Armenia, you can find special establishments where exclusively Belgian waffles are served, appearance which exceeds all expectations. Drizzled with bright syrups, drizzled with chocolate glaze, sprinkled with nuts and coconut flakes, white chocolate fudge, whipped cream or egg whites, they are masterpieces of culinary art (see photo above). There are wonderful "Waffle Houses" in Russian cities. In the short time of their existence, they have become a favorite place for both children and adults. In a word, Belgian waffles have firmly established themselves all over the world, giving joy and pleasure to gourmets all over the planet.
Previously, only kings ate waffles, and chefs kept their preparation a secret. I'm not a chef, and times have changed, so I'll give you all the recipes for making homemade Belgian waffles in an electric waffle iron. The appearance that is familiar to us, cells, or honeycombs, as they were called before, is far from the current one. It is believed that waffles were invented in Germany, where they were made from leftover dough.
Although some sources suggest that the neighbors of the European country are also vying for the palm.
Traditional varieties of waffles - Viennese, Czech and Belgian - are incredibly popular among gourmets, each of which has its own history. Despite the external similarity, cooking waffles in different countries has its differences. And even in the vastness of one country. Belgian, for example, are divided into Liege and Brussels, the recipes of which differ. By the way, the products come in different flavors.
Our housewives make delicious baked goods in gas waffle irons, and this was incredibly common in Soviet era. Then electric waffle irons appeared, the cooking process became noticeably easier and faster.
Belgian waffles in an electric waffle iron
Before offering you classic recipes for making Belgian waffles - from Liege and Brussels, I suggest you understand what the differences are.
Traditional varieties of Belgian waffles:
Belgian cookies in a waffle iron – general concept baked goods from this country. In turn, they are divided into Liege and Brussels.
Gaufre de Liège - Liege appeared back in the 18th century, when the Prince of Liege ordered the cook to bake a delicious bun. After some thought, the cook added pieces of sugar directly to the dough. The sugar caramelized inside the baked goods and everyone was delighted. They differ from Brussels ones by being sweeter, denser and have a pleasant crunch. Cinnamon and vanilla are often added to the recipe.
Waffles from Brussels are usually called real Belgian ones. They are more fragile, but soft, crispy and airy. They have a delicious golden crust. When serving, sprinkle with chocolate, powder, and pour over. It is advisable to enjoy them immediately, unlike the Liege version, intended for long-term storage.
By the way, it is Brussels waffles that have become world famous. During the 1958 World's Fair, Walter Kleiman wowed visitors with his strawberries and cream waffles. 4 years later he was invited to an exhibition in Seattle, and from then on the dessert began its victorious march around the world.
Helpful tips:
- Take your time, preheat the electric waffle iron well.
- If a recipe calls for a lot of oil, do not additionally grease the waffle iron.
How long does it take to bake waffles?
Thin waffles bake very quickly; for thick ones, no more than 5 minutes are enough. If you want to get completely thin waffles, so that they are translucent and have an appetizing crunch, pour in the dough and press the top part of the heated waffle iron harder. That's enough.
Recipe for crispy Liege waffles for an electric waffle iron
I offer a traditional recipe. Perhaps, since the 18th century it has been somewhat modernized - before, live yeast was used, and the baking technology was different - in an electric waffle iron, but the principle remained the same, classic.
You will need:
- Flour – 400 gr.
- Dry yeast - a teaspoon.
- Egg – 2 pcs.
- Sugar – 170 gr.
- Milk – 170 ml.
- Vanillin - a small spoon.
- Salt – a pinch.
- Butter – 200 gr.
How to bake Liege waffles:
- Warm half the milk a little, add yeast, put in a warm place and wait ¼ hour.
- Beat the eggs into a bowl, add salt, and add the remaining milk. Beat until smooth.
- Combine softened butter and flour. Mash the mixture thoroughly.
- Add the yeast milk, pour in the egg mixture and beat thoroughly with a mixer.
- The waffle batter will become soft and sticky to your hands. Cover it and let it stand for half an hour.
- Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Roll each one in sugar and bake in an electric waffle iron.
Recipe for Belgian waffles in an electric waffle iron
Waffles baked according to classic Brussels sprouts recipes, turn out thick and airy. They are eaten hot, although they are incredibly good cold. Especially if you add condensed milk, jam, whipped cream, ice cream, or any fruit to them. Nowadays they are prepared in an electric waffle iron, although they can also be made in the oven.
You will need:
- Flour – 2 cups.
- Butter – 270 gr.
- Milk - a glass.
- Eggs – 4 pcs.
- Sunflower oil – 2 small spoons.
- Salt – ½ teaspoon.
- Baking powder – 1/3 small spoon.
- Sugar - to taste (those with a sweet tooth will need more, vary the amount when you start beating the eggs).
How to make delicious waffles:
- Melt the butter, cool slightly.
- While the oil is cooling, beat the eggs and salt. Add sugar and beat again until foamy. Pour in slightly warmed milk. Whisk again.
- Add hot oil, stir. Start adding flour in portions, mixing the dough thoroughly.
- Bake oval or round pancakes in an electric waffle iron.
Brussels waffles - recipe with kefir and yeast
The simplest recipe for delicious waffles is made with kefir, especially since the ingredients are almost always on hand. It turns out great with margarine, a naturally good margarine intended for baking.
Take:
- Flour – 350 gr.
- Kefir – 200 ml.
- Water – 120 ml.
- Sugar - a large spoon.
- Dry yeast – 7 gr.
- Butter (margarine) – 100 gr.
How to bake:
- Kefir needs to be heated - this important point in making waffles. Don’t get carried away with the process; the temperature is needed slightly above room temperature.
- Boil water, cool. Pour warm water over the yeast, add sugar, add a spoonful of flour, stir and set aside for a quarter of an hour.
- When the yeast begins to act, pour in kefir, slightly warmed and chopped butter. Add some salt.
- Add flour in portions, stirring well. The waffle batter will be medium thick, airy and fluffy.
- Leave the mixture to rise again. After 35-40 minutes, start baking. Cooking time in an electric waffle iron is 5 minutes. Do not overcook and serve hot.
Soft Belgian waffles with cottage cheese
They turn out tender, thick and soft, which can be filled with nothing, except perhaps adding condensed milk.
Take:
- Eggs – 3 pcs.
- Butter – 200 gr.
- Cottage cheese – 100 gr.
- Sugar – 3 large spoons.
- Salt – a pinch.
- Flour – 2.5 cups.
- Milk – 80 ml.
- Soda - a small spoon.
- Sunflower oil.
Step-by-step preparation:
- Beat eggs with sugar, adding a pinch of salt. Add cottage cheese and beat again. Pour in the milk and continue whisking.
- Melt the butter over low heat and cool until warm. Add to the dough.
- Suppress the soda, put it in a bowl and then slowly add the flour, stirring well each time.
- Bake pieces of dough in an electric waffle iron.
What is the difference between Viennese waffles and Belgian ones?
Unlike Belgian waffles, which are baked in oval, rectangular and round shapes, Viennese waffles are baked in flat sheets. Austrian ones are usually thin and perfectly crispy. The Belgian version is thicker and softer products.
Video recipe: Belgian waffles in an electric waffle iron, here you will see step by step preparation delicious dessert. May you always have delicious food!
Although this is no longer a new product, not everyone knows how to make this delicious delicacy correctly. Therefore, we will now look at several of the most interesting recipes Belgian waffles for an electric waffle iron.
This batter is not for thin waffles. For cooking you will need a deep electric waffle iron.
Ingredients:
- Flour – 0.5 kg;
- Butter – 0.1 kg;
- Eggs – 2 pieces;
- Mineral water – 500 ml;
- Milk – 350 ml;
- Yeast (dry) – 6 g;
- Sugar – 1 tbsp. spoon;
- Salt – 1 small pinch.
Preparation step by step:
- Place the butter in a metal container and heat until completely melted. Immediately after this, remove the oil from the heat; it should not boil.
- In a separate bowl, slightly heat the milk and pour it into the butter.
- Into the same container you need to pour mineral water and put the liquid on low heat.
- Salt and eggs must be mixed until smooth. Pour everything into the main ingredients. Mix very thoroughly. Remove the mixture from the heat immediately.
- Add flour in small portions and mix everything at once. There should be no lumps. Continue this action until all the flour has been used.
- Throw in all the yeast and a spoonful of sugar. Mix thoroughly.
- Leave the mixture for half an hour. During this time it should rise.
- Turn on the electric waffle iron; it should get very hot. Grease the surface with oil.
- The dough will be very liquid. Therefore, for convenience, use a ladle or a large spoon. With the help of these accessories, it is convenient to take the dough and lay it out in forms. One ladle is needed for one serving.
- Ready-made waffles can be used with many fillings. The dough is not sweet, so let your imagination run wild. For example, you can pour chocolate or cream on them, or vice versa, put meat and vegetables or sausage on them.
Bon appetit!
Belgian waffles - a classic recipe for an electric waffle iron
Ingredients:
- Flour – 0.2 kg;
- Yeast (fresh) – 10 g;
- Egg – 1 piece;
- Butter – 600 g;
- Milk – 0.25 l;
- Baking powder for dough - half a teaspoon;
- Sugar – 1 tbsp. spoon;
- Salt is on the tip of the knife.
Cooking steps:
- Take a large bowl. Pour milk into it, add sugar and mix. Add the yeast; it should be completely dissolved.
- Melt the butter in a separate bowl. Add it to milk with yeast. Mix everything with a whisk or use a mixer.
- Pour salt into a container and then flour. The main thing is that there are no lumps. The mixture should be liquid, similar in consistency to a pancake mixture.
- Hide the bowl with the dough in a bag or drag it cling film. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for several hours (at least 5, but better - 8 or more).
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator. During our stay in the refrigerator, our mass should rise.
- Pour baking powder into the dough. Mix everything with a fork or whisk. At this stage you must proceed very carefully. After all, the baking powder should be evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Turn on the waffle iron. After heating it, grease the honeycomb with oil and pour in the dough. You can apply the oil using a brush or cloth. The most effective method is with a spray bottle. Simply fill the bottle with oil and spray the liquid several times. The oil will be evenly distributed and you will not get dirty. In addition, oil consumption is thus minimal.
- Close the device. Adjust the degree of readiness yourself, because everyone has a different power of electric waffle iron. Besides, everyone prefers varying degrees frying waffles. For example, some people like them crispy and crispy, while others like them very soft.
- Eat dessert warm. Immediately after removing them from the device, pour honey or sprinkle with powdered sugar. You can also decorate them with cherries or berries.
Brussels waffles
Ingredients:
- Flour – 2.5 cups;
- Butter – 0.1 kg;
- Milk – 2 glasses;
- Egg – 2 pieces;
- Sugar – 1 tbsp. spoon;
- Yeast (dry) – 5 g;
- Vanilla sugar - half a bag or one whole;
- Salt – ¼ teaspoon.
Preparation:
- Grind sugar with yeast. Pour in only 1 glass of milk, beat everything with a mixer. It is most convenient to do this in a deep bowl.
- Sift the flour and add it to the dough. Mix everything.
- The yolks must be separated from the whites.
- Add the yolks and a second glass of milk into the dough. Beat the dough until smooth.
- In a separate container, beat the whites, add salt to them. This must be done until fluffy foam appears. To speed up the process, remove the eggs from the refrigerator in advance, because the product at room temperature beats better. At the very beginning, start the mixer at minimum speed and gradually increase it. Finish beating at maximum speed.
- Slowly add the proteins into the main mixture. This should be done smoothly, constantly stirring the dough.
- Melt the butter in a small bowl or frying pan. Cool it a little. You need to put warm, not hot, oil into the dough.
- Leave the dough to room temperature for 2 hours. But keep in mind that it will greatly increase in size (almost double). Therefore, if you do not have a large bowl or pan, divide the mass into several parts and distribute among containers.
- After time, the mass needs to be mixed a little.
- Plug in the electric waffle iron. When it warms up, grease the surface with vegetable oil. But if you have been using the device for a long time, then the surface does not need to be moistened.
- Pour in the dough. It should fill all the holes. Close the waffle iron.
- The cooking process depends on technical characteristics your device. The finished waffles should have a golden hue.
- You need to remove the treat with a wooden or silicone spatula.
- Serve them warm. Sprinkle waffles with powder or your favorite jam.
Belgian waffles with kefir
Ingredients:
- Warm water – ½ cup;
- Yeast (dry) – 7 grams;
- Kefir – 0.5 l;
- Butter - 125 grams, in extreme cases - it can be replaced with margarine, in the same proportions;
- Flour – 0.5 kg;
- Sugar – 1 tbsp. spoon;
- Salt – 2 pinches.
- Vanilla sugar - to taste.
Preparation:
- Melt the butter in a small container. Let it cool.
- Pour half a glass of water into the pan and heat it up a little. Remove the container from the heat, add yeast and sugar, mix everything.
- Heat the kefir a little. Pour melted butter and salt into it. Add everything to the bulk
- Gradually add flour. The dough should be homogeneous, without lumps.
- Wrap the pan with cling film and leave the dough to sit overnight. It should be at room temperature. Leave it on the kitchen counter or hide it in a closet. If there is absolutely no room, put the dough in the oven.
- In the morning, take out the pan and add vanilla extract to the dough, mix everything. Try the dough, maybe you got too sour kefir, then add more sugar or flour if the mass is too liquid.
- Pour the batter into the electric waffle iron and wait a few minutes.
- Eat waffles warm, decorate them with fruit or chocolate.
If you don’t eat everything at once, just hide the dessert in the refrigerator. Waffles can thus be stored for several days.
How do Belgian waffles differ from Viennese waffles?
Belgian waffles contain a large percentage of proteins; yeast is added to the dough. They are tall and airy, like cakes. Traditionally, they are sprinkled with powdered sugar or syrup. They can also be eaten with fruit or topped with ice cream on a hot waffle.
Viennese waffles are made in large sizes. They have a delicate and soft structure on the inside, and on the outside they are crispy and hard. During the cooking process, you can put the filling in the middle of the waffle, it will turn out much tastier.
But each country will have its own amendments, depending on the taste preferences of the population. For example, in Japan it is customary to make waffles in the shape of fish, with bean or chocolate fillings.
So we looked at some interesting and simple recipes making waffles, we hope you enjoy them. Try to cook them, you will definitely find something new for yourself. After all, this dish is very easy to prepare - it takes a little effort and time. Pay attention to the thickness of the waffles and the cooking time.
Try making Belgian waffles: Brussels and Liege sweets
How to cook Belgian at home? Quite simple if you use the recipes from tochka.net .
Belgian waffles © shutterstock
When it comes to sweets, you can trust the Belgians 100%. They proved this long ago with their chocolate.But they have another national delicacy - Belgian waffles, which, in turn, are divided into two types: Brussels and Liege.
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Brussels waffles
Belgian waffles © shutterstock
Brussels waffles rectangular shape, airy and soft.They are served warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar, whipped cream, chocolate or fruit.The most classic option is with strawberries or bananas.
To make Brussels waffles, you you will need:
- 4 eggs,
- tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup melted and slightly cooled butter or margarine
- two glasses of milk
- two and a half cups flour
- half a teaspoon of salt
- one packet of dry yeast
- vanilla
How to make Brussels waffles:
- Separate the whites from the yolks.
- Mix flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
- Heat the milk, add it to the flour, pour in the melted butter and egg yolks. Mix everything well.
- Beat the egg whites until they form a stiff foam and add to the batter.
- Cover and let sit for 45 minutes.
- Bake Belgian waffles for about 3 minutes in a waffle iron.
READ ALSO:
Liege waffles
Belgian waffles © shutterstock
Liege waffles are made with caramelized sugar cubes inside. They are hard, round or oval in shape. You can eat them both cold and hot.
To make Liege waffles, you will need:
- 400 g flour
- 1.5 coffee spoons of dry yeast
- 2 eggs
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 150 ml milk
- 200 grams butter
- 180 grams of coarse sugar
- 1/2 coffee spoon salt
How to make Liege waffles:
- Heat half the milk in the microwave. Add yeast to the milk, cover and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Whisk the remaining milk with eggs and salt.
- Mash the flour with butter, add milk with yeast, milk with eggs.
- Mix everything thoroughly using a mixer or wooden spoon until it becomes a sticky dough.
- Cover the dough and leave for another 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal parts.
- Roll each piece in large pieces of sugar and bake in a waffle iron for 1-2 minutes.
Bon appetit!
Many countries can boast national recipes original and delicious waffles. For example, England, where this dish is served as a light snack, or the Netherlands, which gave the world so-called syrup waffles, as well as the USA and the Czech Republic, Norway and even Japan. But for connoisseurs of this delicacy, perhaps the two most famous varieties remain the reference samples: Viennese and Belgian.
Austria (Vienna)
The history of waffles in Vienna is closely connected with the name of the Austrian confectioner Joseph Manner, who at the end of the 19th century introduced the public to a new type of dessert - “Neapolitan waffles”. They got their name thanks to the filling of hazelnuts - they were delivered from Naples at that time. The new delicacy was strikingly different from the already familiar desserts of this kind.
The main feature of Viennese waffles today lies in the cooking process, which allows them to obtain a structure porous enough for the addition of filling. In addition to the nut mass, over time they began to use cream, honey, berries, fruit jam, processed cheese and even bacon.
Actually, the filling was and remains what distinguishes Viennese waffles from their Belgian “brothers” - the latter are prepared in a more simple version, without an internal “layer”.
Viennese waffles are served hot and are most often baked rectangular (although there are also variations, for example, in the shape of hearts).
Belgium (Brussels, Liege)
Belgium is considered the “progenitor” of waffles, because it was on the territory of this country that, presumably in the 12th-13th centuries, they began to be prepared for the first time (at least in the form to which we are accustomed - in the form of a “honeycomb”). However global recognition and they gained popularity much later, in the middle of the 20th century after the World Exhibition in.
If we continue to compare Belgian and Viennese waffles, differences can be found in the variety of cooking and serving options. In Belgium you can meet at least two different types dessert: Liege and Brussels.
Liege
These waffles date back to the 18th century, when they were invented by a cook at the court of the Prince of Liege. They have a small, round shape and a fairly dense, hard structure, more like a cookie.
Coarse “pearl” (heat-stable white) sugar is added to the dough, which during the baking process forms a crispy caramel crust on the surface of the baked goods.It turns out sweet and satisfying, you can eat it both hot and cold. In pastry shops, they are often topped with chocolate or syrup, so those with a real sweet tooth will certainly enjoy Liege waffles.
Brussels
Brussels waffles are more famous in the world than Liege waffles and are very popular among tourists. Perhaps the reason for this lies in their more neutral and calm taste, not such overt sweetness. At least, when we mention “real Belgian waffles,” we most often mean Brussels waffles: airy and very tender.
The secret of cooking is to use large quantities whipped egg whites and yeast, resulting in a particularly fluffy and soft structure. They are always baked rectangular, with a delicious golden crust, and sprinkled with powdered sugar on top.
These Belgian waffles are served with ice cream or whipped cream, fresh berries and fruits, chocolate or caramel syrup. You need to eat them right away, before they cool down.Where to try the best waffles
In Belgium, the popular sweet can be found literally at every turn. It is sold from street stalls, prepared in small cafes and pastry shops and is always included in restaurant menus.
Brussels
Here are just a few places in Brussels that offer the most delicious Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings:
- Vitalgaufre (Quai de Mariemont 53c) - here you will find waffles with strawberries, whipped cream and a dozen other toppings - simply delicious! This is how the real Belgium should be remembered.
- Le Funambule (Rue de Tabora 9) – the pastry shop next door to Manneken Pis is famous not so much for its location as for its delicious Liege and Brussels waffles. They offer fresh berries and fruits, chocolate and chocolate spread and a sea of other toppings. The bakery is open for takeout.
- Waffle Factory (Rue du Lombard 30, L'Etuve Stoof) is a real waffle giant whose confectionery shops can be found even outside Belgium. It attracts with the opportunity to try both traditional Liege and Brussels waffles, as well as Belgian waffles with filling, so-called lunch waffles or sandwich waffles (with cheese, ham, egg).
- Australian Homemade Ice Cream (Rue de la Colline 2) – it’s worth going here if you adore waffles and ice cream and can’t decide what you like more – they are served here together and separately. There are also many other sweets.
- Mokafe(Galerie du Roi 9) – a good lunch spot in the center of Brussels on the grounds of the Royal Galleries. In addition to waffles, you can taste croissants, cakes, pies and other pastries in the cafe. There is more on the menu hearty dishes, such as traditional French fries served with .
Bruges
Another good city for exploring the famous Belgian dessert is Bruges. If you find yourself here, don't miss the opportunity and take a look at:
- Lizzies Wafels (Sint-Jakobsstraat 16) is a good small cafe where not only tourists, but also local residents love to eat Belgian waffles. The dessert looks delicious, and its taste is beyond praise! Another plus is the huge portions and excellent selection of toppings.
- Tearoom Carpe Diem (Wijngaardstraat 8) – the restaurant literally attracts you with the aroma of fresh pastries and coffee. The popular local delicacy simply melts in your mouth, just like real Belgian waffles should.
- Cafe Au Lait (Noordzandstraat 28) – a cozy coffee shop with fresh pastries and wonderful, amazingly decorated waffles – perfect place for breakfast or evening tea in the historical center of Bruges.
As in Brussels, waffles are sold everywhere. So it's likely that while walking around the city you'll find a new, very special place with an amazing Belgian dessert.
