Basic Recipe for German Waffles (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Marita Sinden · 9 Comments

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Hello there, are you ready? I am going to try to sell you my favourite German waffle recipe. These waffles are super fluffy, sweet, endearing and so versatile.

Basic Recipe for German Waffles (1)

I wanted to write about German waffles for a long time because they were an essential part of my childhood but until recently I did not own a waffle maker.

The difference between German waffle makers and British or US ones are that they are heart-shaped. Just look for heart-shaped waffle makers, I would suggestthis one(affiliate link)

FOR UK READERS

FOR US READERS

Basic Recipe for German Waffles (2)

I personally cannot recommend a specific waffle maker, but as long as the waffle iron is heart shaped they are like the ones that are commonly used in Germany.

Why are the waffles heart-shaped? The History of German Waffles*

Waffles originate from France or Belgium and were first mentioned in the 13th century. It is assumed, however, that waffles were introduced to Germany from the Netherlands in the 15th century. They quickly spread through the north but it is interesting to note that in the south of Germany and in Austria it was never a common dish, and typically reserved for the upper class.

In Germany, the waffles are commonly round and heart-shaped. These waffles are called “Herzwaffeln” heart waffles and come from in the German area of Bergischen Land in North Rhine-Westphalia. This tradition can be traced back to the 16th century.

In Sweden the waffles are also commonly heart-shaped too, so we cannot claim that this shape is unique to Germany.

*source Wikipedia

Basic Recipe for German Waffles (3)

About this fluffy waffle recipe

Nothing can beat homemade waffles. There are so many German waffle recipes that I want to share with you. I was not sure which one to post first. After a little thought, I decided to start with this easy and basic one.
One thing I can promise you: these waffles are super fluffy. The waffle batter is light and buttery. The waffles themselves are sweet, but there is nothing to stop you from reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe, to make them healthier.

When adding the waffle mixture to the waffle maker, I tend not to grease the iron too much, because the batter has enough fat in it.

If you are using the waffle maker for the first time, make sure to gradually test out the quantity of batter that you pour into the pans. Otherwise, they quickly overflow.

I sometimes make the waffle batter ahead of time, and leave it in the fridge overnight. The ingredients might slightly separate, so make sure you stir the mixture well before baking.

Basic Recipe for German Waffles (4)

What is the best way of storing leftover waffles?

You can store leftover waffles and pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days. You can just warm them up in an oven or microwave.

They can also be frozen and will keep in the freezer up to three months. I like to make a huge batch and then defrost them for a quick breakfast treat in the toaster or microwave. They will still have a nice and fluffy texture, but won’t be as crispy as when you make them fresh.

What to put on waffles?

When we had this recipe at home my mother would serve these waffles with a little icing sugar on top.

Here are the Top Waffle Toppings

  1. Cream and fresh fruit.
  2. Cherry Compote (Heisse Kirschen (hot cherries) or Kirschgrütze.
  3. Apfelmus (German Apple Sauce)
  4. Banana with chocolate sauce (I like hazelnut chocolate spread personally)
  5. Vanilla ice cream and caramelised nuts
  6. Cheese and bacon
  7. Cinnamon and icing sugar
  8. Rhubarb Compote
  9. Rote Grütze (German Red Berry Sauce)

If you are looking for healthy waffle toppings- why not simply eat them with some fresh berries on top?
Hope you guys are going to enjoy this easy waffle recipe.

Let me know what you think. Happy mixing!

More German Sweet Dishes

  • Milchreis (German Rice Pudding)
  • Pfannkuchen (German Pancakes)
  • Germknödel
  • German Apple Pancakes (Apfelpfannkuchen)
  • Plum Dumplings (Zwetschgenknödel)

Did you try this recipe?

Please leave a rating or make a comment below. I would love to hear from you. You can send me an e-mail or comment on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Why not share our Facebook Group - Homemade German Food & Recipes. Here we chat about German Food and share recipes.

Recipe

Basic Recipe for German Waffles (6)

Basic German Waffle Dough Recipe

Marita

An authentic waffle recipe, that makes delicious buttery and fluffy waffles

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Waffle

Cuisine German

Servings 8 people

Calories 645 kcal

Equipment

  • waffelmaker

  • hand or stand mixer or a simple whisk

Ingredients

  • 250 g unsalted butter 1 ⅛cup or 8,8oz, soft
  • 200 g sugar 1 cup or 7 oz
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
  • 5 medium eggs at room temperature
  • 500 g flour 4 cups, 17.6 oz, UK plain flour, US pastry flour.
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 500 ml whole milk 2.5 cups cup

Instructions

  • To avoid a lumpy waffle dough, make sure that all the ingredients are at room temperature. If your butter is too cold, warm it up in the microwave for a few sections.

  • Place the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla extract (affiliate link) in a bowl and whisk with a hand or standmixer for about 5 minutes until you achieve a creamy consistency.

  • Now add the eggs, one by one and whisk until combined.

  • Mix the flour and baking powder (affiliate link) and add to the mixture. Add the milk and mix to a fluffy waffle dough.

  • Heat up your waffle maker. Once you have reached the desired temperature grease the plate with a little butter. This will avoid the waffles sticking to the plate. Now pour in a scoop of the mixture and bake the Waffles until golden brown.

Notes

  1. When adding the waffle mixture to the waffle maker, I tend not to grease the iron too much, because the batter has enough fat in it.
  2. If you are using the waffle maker for the first time, make sure to gradually test out the quantity of batter that you pour into the pans. Otherwise they quickly overflow.
  3. I sometimes make the waffle batter ahead of time, and leave it in the fridge overnight. The ingredients might slightly separate, so make sure you stir the mixture well before baking.

Storage

  1. You can store leftover waffles and pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days. You can just warm them up in an oven or microwave.
  2. They can also be frozen and will keep in the freezer up to three months. I like to make a huge batch and then defrost them for a quick breakfast treat in the toaster or microwave. They will still have a nice and fluffy texture, but won’t be as crispy than when you make them fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 645kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 11gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 382mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 1113IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 4mg

Keyword best waffle recipe, breakfast waffle, butter waffle, german waffle, sweet waffle, waffle

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Basic Recipe for German Waffles (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between German waffles and Belgian waffles? ›

In comparison to thick, rectangular Belgian waffles, German waffles are typically baked in a heart-shaped waffle maker and are much thinner. The batter has more sugar which makes the waffles incredibly delicious on their own. Belgian Liege waffles are typically sweeter as the batter includes pearl sugar.

What are German waffles made of? ›

German Waffles with Whipped Raspberry Vanilla Cream
  • plain flour 100g / 3 1/2oz / 3/4 cup.
  • baking powder 1/2 teaspoon.
  • butter 50g / 2 ounces.
  • milk 120ml / 1/2 cup.
  • organic eggs, separated, 3.
  • a pinch of salt.
  • granulated sugar 2 tablespoon, plus more for the topping.
  • a pinch of vanilla, scraped from the pod.
Jul 5, 2023

What is the secret to making good waffles? ›

Here are some tips:
  • Strike while the iron's hot. If your waffles come out pale and soft, it could be because the appliance isn't hot enough. ...
  • Whip your whites. ...
  • Opt for oil instead of butter. ...
  • Try a yeasted-waffle recipe. ...
  • Add cornstarch. ...
  • Finish them in the oven.
Apr 9, 2022

What makes a Belgian waffle different from a regular waffle? ›

Belgian waffles are usually thicker than their American counterparts. These Belgian beauties are made with a recipe that includes yeasted batter and crunchy pearl sugar. Belgian waffles have extra-deep pockets—the better for filling with butter, jam, maple syrup, or whipped cream.

Can pancake mix be used as waffle mix? ›

Typically, for one batch of waffles, you'll need 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of classic pancake mix. A couple of large brown eggs will also help your waffles have the perfect fluffy interior. Add in a teaspoon of vanilla extract, too, for flavoring. Now you can add in the extra fat that your waffles are craving.

Is Belgian waffle batter different than regular waffle batter? ›

While sharing common ingredients like flour, eggs, milk and sugar, Belgian waffles stand out due to the incorporation of yeast in their batter, resulting in a lighter and fluffier texture. They also feature pearl sugar – a key component that caramelises during cooking, forming a sweet and crispy exterior.

What is a Dutch waffle? ›

Belgian waffles are typically made with a yeast-based batter, which gives them a slightly tangy flavor and a light, airy texture. Dutch waffles, on the other hand, are typically made with a batter that is more similar to pancakes, which gives them a denser texture and a sweeter flavor.

Why are Belgian waffles so good? ›

The secret ingredient in Belgian waffles is the pearl sugar, which gives the waffles a unique texture and slight, satisfying crunch. Belgian waffles are also fantastically light, which adds to their perfection. Fun bonus fact: traditional Belgian waffles are usually eaten with your hands, not a fork and knife.

Should you let waffle batter rest? ›

Recommended overnight or 2 hr resting – for the tastiest waffles, rest the batter overnight in the fridge or for at least 2 hours. This makes the flour grains absorb the liquid so it makes the inside of the waffles softer.

What is the secret to crispy waffles? ›

Grease the Waffle Iron With Cooking Spray

If you're looking for how to make crispy waffles in a waffle maker, try using cooking spray instead. Cooking spray won't burn as rapidly as butter, and will help achieve that satisfyingly crisp outside you crave.

Why don t my waffles get crispy? ›

If the waffles aren't fully crisped when they come out of the waffle iron, put them in a 250 degrees F oven for 5 minutes, directly on the metal racks of the oven (not on a baking sheet). This will crisp the waffles even further and putting it on the wire oven rack will allow the steam to escape and prevent sogginess.

Can you use a regular waffle maker for Belgian waffles? ›

If you don't have a Belgian waffle maker, you can use a regular waffle maker. It likely won't create the larger, thicker, deeper grooves, but you may still end up with fluffier waffles. Keep in mind that the time it takes to make Belgian waffles may vary depending on serving size.

What's the difference between Liege and Belgian waffles? ›

Through the decades, Belgium's waffle styles diversified, resulting in two distinct groups – the crunchier, bread-like Liege waffle and a softer, lighter Brussels variety made with a yeast-leavened batter. Today, the Liege waffle incorporates crystals of pearl sugar for more crunch and caramelization on the outside.

What's the difference between pancake mix and Belgian waffle mix? ›

Ratios: Waffle batter contains more sugar, butter, and eggs than pancake batter, making it a richer batter with higher fat content. Pancake batter contains more milk than waffle batter.

Are Eggo waffles Belgian waffles? ›

Enjoy warm, Belgian-style waffles at home with Eggo® Thick & Fluffy Waffles. They have the classic Eggo® flavor you love, with deep pockets to fill with all of your favorites.

Do you need a special waffle maker for Belgian waffles? ›

If you don't have a Belgian waffle maker, you can use a regular waffle maker. It likely won't create the larger, thicker, deeper grooves, but you may still end up with fluffier waffles. Keep in mind that the time it takes to make Belgian waffles may vary depending on serving size.

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