Classic Belgian Waffles

Classic Belgian Waffles
Adapted from Waring Pro Waffle Maker Guide

Classic Belgian waffles have a crispy outside and are soft and moist on the inside. They are often served as part of a celebration, or in the Wallick household, just a regular Saturday or Sunday morning :). Try tehse waffles with your favorite maple syrup or flavored syrups (hit up Trader Joe's for some yummy ones) or a topping such a sliced fresh strawberries and freshly whipped cream.

Makes 10 waffles

1 1/2 cups water
2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (one packet)
3 cups sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, separated + 1 egg white
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups whole milk
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Heat 1/2 of the water to lukewarm, 105-110 degrees F. Dissolve the yeast in the water with a pinch of the sugar from the recipe. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture begins to foam.

Put the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir to blend and reserve. Add the egg yolks, one of the egg whites, and remaining sugar to the yeast mixture; stir to blend. Add the remaining water, milk, melted butter, oil, and vanilla.; stir until the mixture is smooth. Stir the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and beat until the mixture is smooth.

Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites gently into the batter. Let the batter stand for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Preheat your Waring Pro Belgian Waffle Maker on setting 4, 5 or 6. I use setting 6 because my husband loves the crispy exterior. Green indicator light will be illuminated when preheated.

For best results, do not open waffle maker during cooking process. Doing so will offset the timing mechanism.

Use the measuring scoop to measure the batter and pour 3/4 cup of batter into the preheated waffle iron. Use a heatproof spatula to spread the batter evenly over the grids. Close lid and rotate wafflemaker 180 degrees to the right. Bake the waffles in the waffle iron until the beeper indicates that the waffle is done. Rotate wafflemaker 180 degrees to the left. Remove waffle and repeat until all batter is used. Waffles may be kept warm in a 200 degree oven. Place waffles arranged on a cookie sheet on a rack in a warm oven. Serve with whipped cream, fruit, jam, powdered sugar, or a warm fruit syrup.

Yummy!