May 2, 2011
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Belgian Waffles

Maurice Vermesch baked these waffles (properly called Brussels waffles and, in Belgium, topped with just confectioners' sugar) at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, but only after he sold them at the 1964–65 New York fair did they soar in popularity in this country. Vermersch's daughter Mariepaule wouldn't divulge her family's recipe, but we think we've come very close. One tip she did reveal: Aunt Jemima self-rising flour produces a flavor that is the most like that of the original waffle.
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Belgian Waffles Credit: James Baigrie
MAKES 8

INGREDIENTS:

1¾ cups self-rising flour, preferably Aunt Jemima brand
1 tsp. granulated sugar
4 eggs, separated
1¼ cups of water
½ tsp. vanilla extract
16 tbsp. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
4–6 cups whipped cream
2 pints ripe, in-season strawberries, hulled and halved
Confectioners' sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat an electric Belgian waffle iron until very hot.

2. Meanwhile, combine flour and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add 1¼ cups water, egg yolks, and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Whisk in melted butter. Beat egg whites in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until frothy, 1–2 minutes, then increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute. Gently but thoroughly fold half the egg whites at a time into batter.

3. Pour about 1 cup of the batter (or enough batter to fill pockets in iron) into hot waffle iron; immediately lower waffle iron lid and cook until waffles are golden-brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Separate sheet of waffles into individual waffles. Repeat process with remaining batter.

4. To serve, put each hot waffle on a plate, top with a pile of whipped cream and strawberries, and sprinkle with some confectioners' sugar.
Belgian Waffles

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #76

Ratings & Reviews (5)

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I almost wish I hadn't tried these because with all that butter, they are absolutely decadent, but they are absolutely delicious. Six of us tried them and we all said they were the best we'd ever had. I used 1 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 c cake flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp baking soda. I didn't have strawberries, so we just dipped pieces into maple syrup. Thank you for sharing that recipe! Once a month you could have them and not feel too guilty.
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These have the perfect crispy waffle texture I've been looking for.
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These have the perfect crispy waffle texture I've
been looking for.
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A perfect recipe. I've made it a dozen times and it's always a hit with my family. I also make a few extra waffles and freeze them so I can quickly reheat them during the week.
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I didn't love these. They were really rich- a bit of a gut bomb first thing in the morning. They tasted too eggy and the amount of butter was just too much of a good thing.
Belgian Waffles 5 5 5 5

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