Authentic Belgian Gaufres à la Flamande

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup (240ml) lukewarm milk 1 cup (240ml) lukewarm milk
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (100g) pearl sugar 1/2 cup (100g) pearl sugar
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 20g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon.
3. 3.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4. 4.
   Mix the ingredients together until a smooth batter forms. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
5. 5.
   Gently fold in the pearl sugar into the risen batter.
6. 6.
   Preheat a Belgian waffle iron and lightly grease it with cooking spray or melted butter.
7. 7.
   Spoon a portion of the batter onto the preheated waffle iron and close the lid. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the waffles are golden brown and crispy.
8. 8.
   Carefully remove the waffles from the iron and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly.
9. 9.
   Dust the Gaufres à la Flamande with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pearl sugar — If you can't find pearl sugar, you can substitute it with crushed sugar cubes or coarse sugar. However, the texture and caramelization may differ slightly.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra crispiness, you can place the cooked waffles in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for a few minutes.
• Serve the Gaufres à la Flamande with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries for a delightful twist.
• If you prefer a sweeter waffle, you can drizzle them with maple syrup or chocolate sauce.

Serving advice

Serve the Gaufres à la Flamande warm, either as a standalone treat or accompanied by your favorite toppings. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful dessert.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Gaufres à la Flamande on a serving platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a few berries for an elegant touch.