holidays & recipes: 4th of july guests for breakfast & the belgium waffle

holidays & recipes: 4th of july guests for breakfast & the belgium waffle July 4th. Independence Day. The day when all Americans celebrate their freedom. From one region of the United States to the next traditional foods are prepared with the anticipation of backyard feasting and evening fireworks. Growing up on the East Coast, we often had many out of town guests, some opted for the "Hotel" experience and others dug in their heels (or sneakers) and spent the night at our house. Being the host or hostess can be hectic, I know this all too well.  What a better way to serve your guests with homemade waffles? We finally perfected the waffle batter over the years, this is, hands down, one of our favorite recipes.  You might want to buy another waffle iron depending on how many guests you have, but we usually have three going at once with a party of six or more (guests are hungry from the long trips and starving come breakfast time).

gauffre de Bruxelles Brussels waffle

adapted from Europeancuisines.com
  • 1 kilogram flour (2.2 lb)
  • 30 grams of yeast (one package of fast-action yeast)
  • 25 grams of brown sugar
  • 1250 ml of lukewarm water (use tepid sparkling water if possible)
  • 250 grams powdered nonfat dry milk (Carnation or similar)
  • 10 grams of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or one small packet vanilla sugar (about 2 teaspooons)
  • 400 to 500 grams of melted butter
  • 6 to 8 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks

Directions

  1. Put the flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the flour: add the yeast and 250 ml of the lukewarm water.
  2. Add the brown sugar, powdered milk, the vanilla extract or vanilla sugar, and the remainder of the water. Mix the dough well: allow to rise for at least 20 minutes - 1/2 hour. During this period, melt the butter. Allow to cool to lukewarm.
  3. Add the melted butter: mix well. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks,: fold carefully into the batter mixture until evenly mixed through.
  4. Heat a large waffle iron. Spread each section with the batter, close and bake until done.
  5. Serve dusted with comfectioners' / icing sugar, or topped with whipped cream and fruit, or with melted chocolate or Nutella.

gaufre de Liège  Liège waffle

  • 420 grams flour
  • 7 grams salt (about a half teaspoon)
  • 25 grams granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 grams yeast / one package fast-acting yeast
  • 300 grams butter
  • Around 20 centiliters cold water (preferably sparkling water)
  • 270 grams pearl sugar
  • Vanilla or spicery to your taste
  • Allow eggs and sparkling water to come up to room temperature first.

Directions

  1. Sift the flour into a bowl: make a well in the middle.
  2. Melt the butter over hot water or in the microwave. Allow to cool to lukewarm. Beat the eggs well: add the butter and the yeast: mix well. Add the water and mix again.
  3. Add to the flour along with the granulated sugar and vanilla or other seasoning (cinnamon works well).
  4. Beat the dough for at least ten minutes. It will probably be sticky and difficult to work with. This is normal.
  5. After this beating, allow to stand and rise in a warm place for 15-30 minutes. 5 to 10 minutes before baking, add the pearl sugar.
  6. Heat the waffle iron. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto each quarter or section of the waffle iron. Bake until well browned.
  7. Serve hot off the iron, dusted with confectioner's sugar, or top with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Photography Data: Featured Photographer Private
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22 comments

  • July 1, 2012 at 8:43 pm //

    Wonderful idea for 4th of July.

    • July 2, 2012 at 8:50 pm //

      Thanks Jennifer.

  • July 1, 2012 at 10:51 pm //

    Waffles! Oh, I’m so glad you posted this. My mom used to make waffles on the 4th of July and I’d totally forgotten about it. Your picture is amazing :)

    • July 2, 2012 at 8:50 pm //

      What a wonderful tradition! I love holidays, they are always filled with tons of carbs, but meh, weekends and holidays, who’s counting calories!

  • July 2, 2012 at 4:23 am //

    ooh, waffles, love this post. great idea for the 4th of july. ;)

    • July 2, 2012 at 8:49 pm //

      I usually toss the berries in with some yogurt, ladle on the butter and maple syrup =)

  • July 2, 2012 at 6:55 am //

    My boys and I love waffles, especially belgium waffles! These are beautiful and colorful!

    • July 2, 2012 at 8:48 pm //

      Thank you Becky, do you like them with butter and Maple syrup?

  • July 2, 2012 at 9:16 am //

    I’ll make them for sure! they look really fresh

    • July 2, 2012 at 8:48 pm //

      Thanks Beti.

  • July 2, 2012 at 10:27 am //

    I’ll never say no to a waffle. I missed it this year, but your house for waffles next July 4th? ;-) Good post – thanks.

    • July 2, 2012 at 8:47 pm //

      Sounds like a plan!!!! You might have to fly over though “wink” =)

  • July 2, 2012 at 12:32 pm //

    Waffles for breakfast is my all time favorite way to start the day! What lucky guests you have. I can’t imagine having 3 irons going at once. Talk about multitasking. :)

    • July 2, 2012 at 1:22 pm //

      Having major carbs for breakfast was done on holidays or Sunday’s, Sunday’s were our family’s special breakfast time together because both of my parents worked 9-5 M-F, so it was pop tarts, oatmeal, pre-cooked frozen pancakes, or cold cereal, and of course, my favorite, cream of wheat during the week.

      We would break out three irons, lined up in the kitchen, on the counter top, so at least three out of how many guests could start grubbing =). With pancakes it was easier, plugging in the hot plate.

  • July 4, 2012 at 12:45 am //

    Waffles are a weekend pleasure at or house. Must be served with real maple syrup! Growing up my mom also made weekend waffles and my brothers fought over the softly cooked batter that flows over the edge of the waffle iron when it is overfilled. A classic and most scrumptious recipe!

    • July 5, 2012 at 8:29 am //

      Yes, ours too, when growing up, now I do it more sparingly if I don’t want my butt to grow to epic proportions, something about hitting the 30′s and the metabolism not quite as fast and over compensating that with workouts. Once a week, I have an “enjoy me day” but holidays… bring on the waffle syrup and butter!!! I would do the same to my parents when they were cooking, grab the over-flows, steal the cake beaters from the cake batter, and sneakingly take bites of the christmas cookies even after being told “not to touch them”.

    • July 5, 2012 at 8:20 am //

      Me too, waffles smothered in really maple syrup and butter (maybe with a dollop of mascarpone and espresso sauce) Looking forward to the next holiday to indulge in calorie laden breakfast and desserts!

  • July 5, 2012 at 12:00 am //

    Such a great, beautiful, festive, and delicious way to start the 4th!

    • July 5, 2012 at 8:24 am //

      It has been a tradition growing up, waffles, (or pancakes) and…. deep breath..scrapple!

    • July 5, 2012 at 8:25 am //

      Growing up on holidays and weekend family breakfasts, not an everyday thing “wink”. As an adult, more sparingly or else my butt would grow to epic proportions.

  • August 28, 2012 at 5:27 pm //

    It’s alywas a pleasure to hear from someone with expertise.