It’s December 1st, which means my self-imposed moratorium on overtly Christmasy things is over. Which is good, because my calendar is suddenly jammed full of get-togethers and work parties and gift shopping and open houses and… and… and…
Phew. If I collapse into an exhausted heap on January 1st, we’ll all know the cause.
Since my current mission is to create extra-special holiday breakfasts, and since it doesn’t get much more Christmasy than gingerbread, that’s exactly what I chose as the theme for my second recipe for the Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew featuring the Cuisinart Traditional Waffle Maker.
I started with my basic buttermilk waffle recipe, then spiced it up with all the usual suspects – cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and (obviously) lots of ginger – and added a dollop of unsulfured molasses to give the finished waffles that distinctive dark brown colour. The end result might look like a fairly ordinary waffle, but the flavour is gingerbread through and through.
The temperature setting on the Cuisinart came in handy for this recipe, because the addition of molasses to the batter means the waffles are slightly more prone to burning. Using a slightly lower setting turned out perfectly done waffles that were toasted to a beautiful shade of dark golden-brown.
While I was at it, I figured I’d go a little over the top by adding a drizzle of buttery maple syrup spiked with toasted pecans and cinnamon as well, though regular maple syrup would’ve probably been just fine. It really does turn these waffles into an extra-extra-special sort of breakfast, though, and only takes a few minutes of extra time to prepare.
In fact, even with the added bonus of Butter Pecan Syrup, this dish is incredibly low-maintenance (especially compared to the extravagant production that was Waffle Eggs Benedict). So while it’s certainly worthy of an extra-special occasion, you can probably whip some up for an ordinary weekend breakfast, too.
Serve these up with a pile of crispy bacon and mugs of hot spiced tea for a very merry morning indeed.
Disclosure:
I was provided with compensation, including a free Cuisinart Traditional Waffle Maker, in exchange for creating this post for the Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew series.
This Christmas Kitchen Crew series highlights my stories, recipes & tips with promotional consideration made possible by Canadian Tire. If you want to uncover your kitchen’s true potential, stay tuned to the Kitchen Crew for my weekly missions.
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- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup maple syrup
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- Pinch ground cloves
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- In a large skillet set over medium heat, heat the butter until melted and foamy. Add pecans and cook until fragrant and toasted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and cinnamon, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes or until the syrup is heated through. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm while you prepare the waffles.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, spices and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, molasses, melted butter and eggs until combined. Pour into the bowl of dry ingredients, and mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat waffle iron (if using a Cuisinart model like mine, select a heat setting of “2″).
- Once the waffle iron reaches the desired temperature, scoop ½ cup of batter into the centre of the waffle plate, and smooth out into an even layer using a heat-proof spatula. Close waffle iron, and cook the waffle to desired degree of crispness. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve waffles immediately with a drizzle of Maple-Pecan Syrup.
- Note: Waffles are at their best as soon as they come out of the waffle iron, but can be kept warm in a 150F oven if you’d prefer to serve all at once. Layer waffles with paper towels to keep them from going soggy in the oven.
You are AWESOME! photos just keep getting better and BETTER! It’s been too long since I’ve been reading your posts and not commenting! Thanks for your amazingness, Jasper
goodness.. i have to look for a waffle maker.. yummy yummy.
This brings out all my Canada pride.
This recipe looks incredible scrumptious.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
Delicious! Can’t wait to make these for a special holiday breakfast.
We’re barely into December and I am ready to crash. I was thinking of bumping the holidays back a month or so, with me? These waffles are bringing the smexy to the breakfast table.
Super yummy! These look so amazing. Congrats on top 9!
I just got a Cuisinart Waffle maker and I love it. Definitely trying some spiced ginger waffles tomorrow with bacon and maple syrup.
These waffles look great and sound delicious! When I was a kid we used to make red and green waffles for Christmas breakfast. That was fun, but these sound way tastier!
YUMMY!!! Love your waffles, and your photos are making my mouth water!!!:))
Congrats on top 9!!!!
Loving the looks of these!
Isabelle, these look ridiculously perfect. I am a waffle maniac these days….I have two waffle makers, both square. One has deeper pockets and the other has thin, tiny ones. And yet, I am so jealous of your waffle wheels! And so ready for Christmas flavors. Super rad.
Ok now that I know the vicinty of where you live I shall begin wandering around smelling my way to the ginger crumb Isabelle house! No apologies!
XO
Sam
These look so good, I want to go home and make waffles for dinner!
OMG I must have that waffle maker, that looks amazing! Gorgeous photos! :)
Those look even better than Waffle House! ;)
I need to invest in a waffle maker – so many possibilities!
Yum! This recipe inspires me to get a new waffle maker, these waffles look fantastic. Perfect for this time of year!
omg! these look soooo good!! what a perfect Christmas-y breakfast treat :)
Oh wow, these look gorgeous! I love waffles, and they always remind me of my childhood back home in Germany. :) Pecans sound like a wodnerful topping I’m not used to from home, great recipe!