Growing up we are always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Of course there are some that find that sitting down and eating so early in the morning is a waste of time.  These people clearly have never had the luxury of waking up to homemade Chocolate Chip Waffles topped with freshly sliced strawberries and whipped cream wafting the entire house.

Although some days are tougher than others it is always great to at least try and enjoy a nice relaxing breakfast with the family where no rushing or speeding out the door is necessary.

Trust me… after these delicious waffles are prepared you may just find yourself staying home and cozying up on that big plush sofa of yours with a good book.

Hope you enjoy as much as mine did!

Prepare your mise en place… all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, unsalted butter, sugar, and mini chocolate chips.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Separate the 2 eggs and put all of the egg whites (3 total) in a large bowl.

In a large liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, vanilla and 1/4 cup melted butter.  Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until a batter is formed.  Take care not to over-mix the batter.

Whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until they just begin to hold a loose peak.  Scatter the sugar over the whites and continue beating until they hold a soft peak.  Fold a third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten the base, then fold in the remaining whites.  Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Preheat a waffle iron to medium high.  Brush the inside surface of the waffle iron with melted butter.  Pour in enough batter to barely fill each hole of the waffle iron (keeping in mind that the batter will spread once the lid is closed).  Close the iron and cook until crisp and the waffle iron stops steaming, or light goes off.  Takes about 5 minutes.

Serve fresh off the waffle iron or transfer to a dish in the oven heated to 200 degrees F.  Repeat with the remaining batter.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Waffles

(adapted from Food Network Kitchens)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 large egg white, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups milk, at room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more for brushing the iron
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup mini-chocolate chips

Directions:
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Separate the 2 eggs and put all of the egg whites (3 total) in a large bowl.

In a large liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, vanilla and 1/4 cup melted butter.  Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until a batter is formed.  Take care not to over-mix the batter.

Whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until they just begin to hold a loose peak.  Scatter the sugar over the whites and continue beating until they hold a soft peak.  Fold a third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten the base, then fold in the remaining whites.  Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Preheat a waffle iron to medium high.  Brush the inside surface of the waffle iron with melted butter.  Pour in enough batter to barely fill each hole of the waffle iron (keeping in mind that the batter will spread once the lid is closed).  Close the iron and cook until crisp and the waffle iron stops steaming, about 5 minutes.  Serve as the waffles come off the iron or transfer to a dish in the oven heated to 200 degrees F.  Repeat with the remaining batter.

Enjoy!