Liege Waffles (the Real Belgian Waffle)

You haven't had a true Belgian waffle until you have had a Liege waffle. You have probably had lots of waffles masquerading as "Belgian", but they are a bunch of liars! Liege waffles are the one and only Belgian waffle and are a little different than your classic waffle. They aren't light and fluffy like the waffles you are used to. They are crispy on the outsides and flakey on the inside.

The signature ingredient in Liege waffles is pearl sugar, which is large bits of sugar that melt into the waffle and caramelize on the outside. The melted sugar on the inside of the waffle create layers of dough and sugar which make these waffles almost pastry-like. 

Because they aren't as soft and light as a traditional waffle, they can be made ahead of time and reheated very easily. They would make the perfect brunch food for Mother's Day, Easter, a baby or bridal shower, you name it!

How to Make Them

One other thing that makes liege waffles a bit different than any other waffle is that they are made with yeast. Which means the first thing you have to do is bloom the yeast.

Mix yeast with warm milk and a bit of sugar until it bubbles up into a foam.

Make sure that the milk isn't too hot. Anything over 110 degrees F will kill the yeast. 

Next, mix the yeast and milk mixture with flour to form a very dry, crumbly dough.

I recommend using bread flour if you have it available as it has more gluten and will puff up even more. 

Then add in the egg and butter.

The resulting dough will be very sticky and loose. You can keep kneading it in a stand mixer with a dough hook, or...

...turn it out onto a clean counter top and knead by hand with a little bit of extra flour. This is the messier, but much more fun version!

Once it's been kneaded for about 5 minutes, form it into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a dish towel or plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size. 

Once the dough has proofed, mix in the pearl sugar until it is completely incorporated. 

Then form the dough into individual balls of dough. I think that a 2-ounce piece of dough makes the perfect sized waffle. 

Let the dough rise again for another 15 minutes while the waffle iron heats up.

Before each waffle, spray down the waffle iron with a little nonstick cooking spray to ensure the waffle doesn't stick. 

Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the waffles are golden brown on each side and the sugar on the surface has melted. 

These waffles can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven at 300 degrees. Or you can keep them warm in a 250 degree oven until they are ready to eat.

Because this recipe makes about a dozen waffles, it is the perfect dish to make for an easy brunch! Just set out the waffles with some fruit, berries, and other toppings and you have yourself your very own Belgian waffle bar!

I personally like my waffles with a bit of whipped cream and chocolate sauce. 

Or you can go with the more traditional butter and maple syrup combination!

Either way, you are in for a treat! These waffles are unlike any other waffle you have had.  

And if you don't feel like serving them for lots of people, they save very easily in the freezer. Just pull one out and defrost it as you like! It makes for a very easy and decadent breakfast (or dessert)!

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Recipe

Prep Time: 20 min   Cook Time: 30 min    Total Time: 50 min

Makes about 10-12 waffles

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to 100-110 degrees F
• 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 2 1/4 cup bread flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup pearl sugar

Instructions

1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together the milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes, until yeast has bloomed and formed a foam on top of the milk.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle or dough hook attached, mix together 2 cups of flour and salt. Pour in the yeast-milk mixture and vanilla and mix until a dry shaggy dough forms.
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time. Then mix in the butter. The resulting dough will be very sticky and loose.
4. Either change to the dough hook attachment, or turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead with remaining 1/4 cup flour until smooth. The dough will still be very sticky. Use a bench scraper or spatula to get all the dough off the surface of the counter or the inside of the bowl.
5. Form the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a dish cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size. About 2 hours.
6. Punch down the dough and fold in the pearl sugar. Form into individual sized balls of dough, approximately 2 oz in weight. Let sit, covered, for another 15 minutes while the waffle iron heats up.
7. Spray the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Place one ball of dough in the center of the waffle iron and close. Let cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the waffle is golden brown and the pearl sugar on the surface has melted and caramelized.
8. Remove from waffle iron and place on a plate. Keep warm in a 250 degree oven. Alternately, cool to room temperature, and store in ad airtight container or bag until ready to serve. Reheat in the oven at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Notes

Uneaten waffles can be stored in the freezer up to a month.