Looking for a lazy morning weekend recipe?

I know its not the weekend you say!  But we could always close our eyes and pretend it is… can’t we?

These waffles, which are filled with crunchy brown sugar bacon and buttermilk make any day feel like a lazy weekend morning.  Trust me just after the smell of brown sugar coated bacon wafts your kitchen you’ll be so happy you followed my directions to make these now.  Just dust off that waffle maker, which I am sure is in the wayyyyyy back of your kitchen cabinets, LOL and get it warmed up for mama.

After you’ve done that and made these insanely delicious waffles come back and tell me how in LOVE you fell with me… I’ll sit here and wait!

Brown Sugar Bacon Waffles

(adapted from Joy the Baker)

Ingredients

For the bacon:

• 10 slices of bacon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Spray a baking sheet with non stick cooking spray and line with foil.  Arrange bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet.  Sprinkle generously with brown sugar.  Place in the upper third of the oven and bake until sugar is caramelized and bacon is brown and crispy, about 10 to 15 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Immediately remove bacon slices using a pair of tongs.  Place them on a cutting board (not paper towels, they’ll stick!) to cool before chopping.  Once cool, chop the bacon into bite size bits and set aside.

For the waffles:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cups canola or grapeseed oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

Set up your waffle iron on a level, clean surface and turn on to preheat.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar.  Whisk to blend.

In a  medium bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold.  Once almost fully incorporated, add the bacon bites.  Stir.  Try not to over mix the batter or the waffles will become tough.  It’s ok if a few lumps remain in the batter.

Cook according to your waffle machine instructions.

Serve with maple syrup and strawberries.

Enjoy!

Lately I find myself being obsessed with waffles… all kinds every kind.  Maybe its the golden brown color, crispy edging on the outside with the fluffy soft center that drives me wild for them but whatever it is, I’m loving it!  One day as I was searching for waffle recipes, I came across this Belgian Buttermilk Waffles, and I started drooling…. Even though traditional belgian waffles are made with yeast these waffles are made with baking powder, and you can’t beat buttermilk.

Homemade waffles are a sure way to start or end your busy work week, whether you make them for a traditional breakfast and have them drenched in maple syrup, or you can jazz them up and have them for lunch, dinner, or even dessert!  Whatever way you decide to make these waffles just enjoy them as much as I did!

Belgian Buttermilk Waffles

(Adapted by Epicurious)

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
• 2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
• 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• Vegetable oil for waffle iron

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!