A recipe for impossibly tender spiced apple waffles topped with a sweet, buttery caramelized apple syrup. Jump to recipe.
On Sunday, Brian and I slept in while the girls watched TV and ate whatever weird snacks they could cobble together. Since they’d already eaten their first breakfast, there was time to make waffles at a leisurely pace. We put on a record and made a big pot of coffee, and eventually, sat down to apple waffles. Later, we went to the park and library – all the while absorbing the beautiful September sunshine.
The shower’s acting funny. Laundry needs to be folded. The interior handle on my driver’s side door has been broken for over a year; meaning I have to roll down the window and unlatch it from the outside. (I try to do this while no one’s looking). The kitchen floor is kind of sticky. We’re perpetually a day behind on dishes so that each evening, we’re stuck emptying the dishwasher and then filling it again immediately. My back hurts. The girls are sniffling.
Still, after a few weeks of travel, and being away from the chaos and the mess, I’m so glad to be back. This chaos, these messes, this life – it’s mine. I made it. And all the little details, even the pain in the ass of it all – the whining and the broken stuff and the laughter – are all part of the gift.
- 4 tablespoons butter , melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sorghum flour (optional* – all-purpose or another flour can be used instead)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 eggs , separated
- 1 cup shredded apple
- 1 cup well shaken buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups sliced apples (about 3 small apples)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon , plus more for topping
- pinch sea salt
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Preheat waffle iron, set oven to 200 degrees F, and slide a baking sheet in it to warm.
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Melt butter and set aside to cool.
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In a large bowl, combine flours, baking powder and soda, spices, and sea salt.
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In a medium bowl, combine egg yolks, shredded apple, buttermilk, and sugar. Fold wet ingredients into dry. Fold in melted butter.
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Beat egg whites to soft peaks and fold into batter, stirring just until everything is nicely combined.
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If needed, grease waffle iron, and then cook waffles according to your waffle iron’s instructions. Set cooked waffles on baking sheet in warm oven.
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Meanwhile, set a medium-sized skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Melt the butter, then toss in the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and sea salt. Cook apples for about 3 minutes, flip, and cook 3 minutes more. Edge heat down if pan gets too hot. Apples should be soft with browned edges, and surrounded by a thick, golden brown syrup.
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Serve waffles topped with apples and syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
*Sorghum flour lends texture and sweetness. Feel free to sub in all-purpose or another contrasting flour or grain like finely ground cornmeal, wheat wheat, amaranth, spelt, oat, or quinoa flours.
Absolutely perfect for fall! I’m in love!
love the sentiment here, elizabeth. i hope to settle into that sweet groove of acceptance in my surroundings again, too. shit weighs on me so hard when i forget that i’m just as real and present as all the stuff whirling around me. xo
I hear you, Jaime. I’ve been watching some of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ – in the first scene, some household appliance has broken, and us viewers know that the luxury of having a broken or fixed household appliance will soon be a distant memory. It got me thinking about the little things and doing more to appreciate them. Time and good fortune can both be so fleeting.
Stunning photos – and I love that you added shredded apple and warm spices to the waffles, and that caramel apple syrup sounds insanely good – just a little bit different to your regular sickly sweet maple syrup topping! Long lazy weekend breakfasts are the best, especially at home. Whenever I go back home after being away at university I appreciate the little details so much more than I used to growing up – home is so special! <3
These are so beautiful! Apple and cinnamon make me happy!
Can you tell me where your waffle iron is from?
THANKS!
Hi Erin, Thank you! I’ve had my waffle maker for a long time now (more than 10 years), so I’m not sure if they still make it. I have the Cuisinart 2-waffle maker and love it. It takes longer because it’s small, but it also doesn’t take up a ridiculous amount of space. I think this is the model here: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-WMB-2-2-Slice-Belgian-Waffle/dp/B00004S9D0
Thank you for your reply! Could not find that one anywhere here in Aus.
I FINALLY decided on one and its on its way to me.
Can’t wait for waffles!
Ah yes, I feel like I’m very used to that level of chaos at the moment. It’s almost reassuring isn’t it? These waffles sound wonderful and I just bought a big bag of sorghum flour so I’ll be making these asap.
There is certainly a wonderful comfort in the chaos. Your photos are just gorgeous. Sorghum flour has become one of my favorites to bake with and the apples and spices in these waffles sound so good!
I’ve just bought a waffle maker so this weekend these will be our breakfast! So excited!
These are beautiful! Can you tell me which waffle maker you use?
Maybe I’m missing something here, but I don’t see an amount for the sugar that goes into the waffle batter. I used 1/4 c and it seemed okay, maybe a touch undersweet.
Hi Jessi,
Thanks for catching that. I’ve added the amount of sugar – it should be 2 tablespoons. I like to cook my waffles with minimal sugar so that the sweetness of the apple topping or maple syrup can come through. Did you find them undersweet on their own, or with the apple topping?
I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your experience.
It was definitely more balanced with the apples on top, but of course I made too little of the topping for the number of waffles we ended up making! Will definitely double that next time. I think the apples I used the batter may have been less sweet. The texture of the waffles was excellent, though. Boyfriend is obsessed with all things apple so we’ll definitely be making these again!