Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Gingerbread Waffles

I'm enjoying a week's vacation at home this week, just puttering about, doing all those little things I've been putting off. I love being home, having become more of a homebody in my middle years. My wanderlust seems to have wandered off, grins, as I find peace and comfort in my little home.

Being at home, though, doesn't mean I give up "vacation food," those foods that are just a little unique, a tad more special, than our ordinary fare, and become a part of our vacation memory.

So, this morning, I was thinking about breakfast. If I were dining out this morning, what would I want to have, I wondered. I found the perfect solution, Gingerbread Waffles at Inn Cuisine. Honestly, as Ole Sweetie-Pi and I sat at the breakfast table this morning, each enjoying our waffle, it was as if we were whisked away to some romantic inn. There was heavy frost on the grass, breezes blowing the maple leaves from our trees, making the leaves dance and skip about the lawn, inside, the cats cozying by the heat. Coffee was waiting. And yummm.. the aroma of warm gingerbread tempting the nose and the belly... The next time I serve these, I think I'm going to pull out all the stops, flowers, music, tablecloth and napkins, the special little things that vacation memories are made of.

These waffles are light, very tender, warm spicy, sweet enough on their own, (maple syrup would be too much, in my opinion) and with a pat of butter, simple and delicious. However, I would like to dress these up; they would be good with a lemon sauce with maybe a scattering of raspberries or a dollop of whipped cream.

Gingerbread Waffles

Preheat your waffle iron. Have ready three separate bowls.

In a large bowl combine:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

In a medium bowl mix together until light and fluffy:1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg yolk

Then add and mixed until combined:
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
3 tablespoons butter, melted

In a small bowl beat until egg white forms stiff peaks:
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 egg white

Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Fold the stiffened egg whites into the batter.

Gently pour batter onto your preheated waffle iron and bake according to the manufacturer's directions.

Serve with topping or sauce of choice.

Close your eyes and dream those wonderful vacation dreams.

43 comments:

  1. Yum! I can just imagine how wonderful your house smelled with that ginger fragrance wafting around.

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  2. yummm! gingerbread and I are best friends :)
    -Mini Baker

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  3. Oh Katy....even your recipe posts are filled with your creative journaling and we are whisked away into the world of imagination! Love it. Must say...never had gingerbread waffles so this had such a unique opportunity for me to REALLY imagine...the smells, the fragrance and beauty that ginger brings....and your description of frost and falling leaves...I WAS there. Yummers ...thanks for sharing!

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  4. Nifty idea! And they look so good and full of flavor. Bet with maple syrup they are perfect.

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  5. OK Katy, I've got to come to your house!I not only need your food, but I need some of the atmosphere that you create!LOL!
    Kidding aside, these waffles sound wonderful; I can only imagine how delicious they are- until I make them, that is. Yep! Bookmarked!
    Thankyou for a great read, Katy. :)

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  6. I bet the smell of these waffles was heavenly!!! I'm not a big breakfast fan ordinarily, but I do love waffles!

    By the way...I'm finally getting around to making your chicken tonight--I'm SO excited!

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  7. Katypi, can you come over and get my waffle iron off the top shelf? Think these are just what the dr. ordered! Kathye

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  8. Hello Katy, What a wonderful post...its sooo sweet ! I pray that someday when the little ones have left the nest, my self and my sweetie pie hubs will be just like you guys ! It really is soooo romantic...

    I must try these waffles, although we will have 2 little ones in their high chairs with us : ) ...

    These are rich and fragrant i'm so sure! Nothing beats the fragrance of these gorgeous aromatics filling the house early morning... What a way to start the day !

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  9. Love your description of the atmosphere in this post. The aroma from the waffles must have been wonderful. You have a wonderful way with words.

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  10. Gingerbread waffles..oh my that sounds so delicious, I must try this..it will be a hit for sure!

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  11. Yummy...this look great...I loved your blog..so cute :)
    xxx

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  12. Oh Katy...I am drooling here!!
    How about a dollop of lemon curd?
    I really want to make these soon!!

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  13. You are very clever Katy, what a GREAT idea.

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  14. oh wow, these look SOOO good! i have half a mind to make these as a midnight snack!

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  15. I love your descriptions as much as your recipes. You're a talented writer.

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  16. Gingerbread waffles?!!! Man-o-man you know the way to my heart Katy! All I need are my twinkle lights and my breakfasts are planned until January ,-)
    I can't wait to try these!

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  17. Katy, This is beautiful. You and your husband must have a special relationship. It is so nice that you can get away in your very own kitchen. Enjoy.

    Send some waffles over so I can get my husband to run away with me, in our own kitchen, too.

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  18. All I had to do was close my eyes and I could see and smell everything you talked about:) Im asking for a waffle maker for christmas and Im already bookmarking this to make it:)

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  19. This looks really good and what a great flavour! My children will absolutely love this. Thanks for sharing darling and enjoy your vacation.

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  20. Oh, they sound perfect :D I bet the kitchen smelled delightful...enough to take me away to another spot :D YUM.

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  21. What a great recipe! I can certainly see these becoming a regular addition on my table! (By the way-- I LOVE the way you described them! So sweet!)

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  22. Yous description sounds like you were vacationing at a cozy bed and breakfast! Your waffles sound heavenly. I would love wake up and smell gingerbread waffles and coffee in the makingI

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  23. Your breakfast sounded so wonderful Katy! You made me feel like I was in your house! I love waffles and gingerbread so I will have to give these a try. I also plan on making your previous post on chicken soon. Sounds so easy and good!

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  24. This sounds good and never try to make gingerbread waffle before. Thanks for sharing :D

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  25. This sounds like such a nice morning for your and your Sweetie Pi.

    I love taste of gingerbread. I can't wait to give these a try!

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  26. What a special treat these are! I love gingerbread - in waffle form sounds divine! Enjoy your week off!

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  27. The picture that you paint of your kitchen is so warm and inviting that I would love to pad out of bed and straight into your cozy lil' haven on a frosty morning.

    A the waffles sound pretty good too. lol. I'm a fan of gingerbread, so I'm sure that I'd love these.

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  28. Oh my these sound incredible Katy! I have been on a waffle kick lately and of course I just posted gingerbread so I know these would be amazing!

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  29. You should never ever give up vacation food even when you are home! These look fabulous. So spicy and comforting.

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  30. This is a perfectly wonderful fall recipe - gingerbread waffles - one of the best ideas ever and it is perfect for your musings on an autumn day...

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  31. You have sold me!! When can I come over? This was a wonderful blog post. I read it twice!! It was just that good. Thank you so much for sharing. The waffles sound so comforting in the cooler weather. They are on my must make list!

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  32. Katy, I had gingerbread pancakes while on vacation last summer--I will give the waffles a try. And I'm afraid I added syrup to mine. ;)

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  33. What a great idea! I have never baked something else with gingerbread flavour than cookies. :)

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  34. I see these made ahead in a double batch and frozen in packages of 2 (squares). Then I can grab them, toast in the toaster, and spread with cream cheese for a breakfast on the go that I can eat in the car!

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  35. Those sound truly wonderful! I keep saying someday I'm going to own a waffle iron, and I'll remember these when I do!

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  36. I'm Hungry!! Love your ideas about making it more romantic. Can't wait to try these on Hubby!!

    Thanks Katy!!

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  37. Oh, don't show me that! I don't have the waffle machine, I can't do this delicious stuff!

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  38. Ok, I'll take a waffle spread with some yummy pumpkin cream cheese.
    ~ingrid

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  39. Hi Katy! Hope you have great plans for the weekend. I can imagine the smell of the waffles here, love the flavors of ginger and cinnamon...oh gosh I feel so hungry dear :)

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  40. we made these today -- and really enjoyed them! Next time we'll try making them into pancakes.

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