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Waffles are great for breakfast and they are very popular with their light and crispy texture, but they were not always as airy nor were they as large as they are today. In the Middle Ages waffles were thin and cracker like made of oats and barley. They were pressed in a wafer iron that had 2 plates of metal joined by a hinge and two large handles that allowed it to be closed and then opened. Waffle recipes today use a leavening agent that allows the modern waffle to rise and become thick unlike the flat crackers of yesterday

Almost every country has its own favorite waffle recipe with some variation. In America the batter is made mostly for breakfast and the waffle is leavened with baking powder. Waffles came to America with the Pilgrims in 1620 that made the famed Belgian waffles. These are also called Brussels waffles and are very large waffles that rise much higher than the American variety. Even today it is served by street vendors dusted with some powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream and chocolate.

Another type of Belgium waffle is the Leige Waffle that are much more sweet and dense. The consistency is similar to a brioche and pearl sugar is placed on them and cooked which makes the sugar caramelize and crunch when you bite into it. You can find these on the streets in Belgium in the cinnamon or plain variety as a snack. The grid cake is a waffle that comes from Hong Kong. Peanut butter is usually placed on one side with some sugar and then they are folded over to eat. Dutch waffles are separated in half when they come out of the waffle iron and a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and syrup is spread on and the two pieces are placed together. Waffles are shaped like hearts and spread with jam in Scandinavia

Pancake batter is similar but it much thinner than waffle batter. It is thick so it will not escape from the waffle iron so easily. Waffle irons come in many different shapes and sizes including the ones with a long handle that are made of a metal and clamp shut to be cooked on an open fire or over the flame on the stove. More common are the electric style of waffle iron. Waffle irons come in several shapes like round making waffles in 4 sections or some only produce 2 sections. Some irons are designed to make different patterns on the surface of the waffles and some are deeper to make the famous Belgian Waffle. Make waffles for any meal and for desserts.

Buttermilk waffles are the most common and most American. In a medium large bowl blend two thirds of a cup of flour, one and one half of a teaspoon of baking powder, one half of a teaspoon baking soda, and one fourth of a teaspoon of salt. Crack four eggs into a different bowl and pour in 2 cups buttermilk whisking to beat well. Add the milk mixture to the flour combination stirring with a large spoon. Two sticks of margarine or butter should be melted and add to the rest of the ingredients. The batter should be lumpy after the butter is stirred in. Use a waffle iron per directions from the manufacturer. You can pour syrup or honey over the top or spread on some jam

Belgium Waffle irons are a little bit different than regular ones in that the waffles produced are a little bit bigger and waffles can be made to be desserts instead of main dishes. Belgian recipes are a little more complicated but the waffles taste so good you won’t mind making them. To start cut off a large piece of waxed paper. Sift one and one fourth of a cup of cake flour, two teaspoons baking powder, one fourth cup sugar, and a shake of salt onto the wax paper. You will have to separate the yolks from whites of four eggs and put the yolks in a bowl. You will use the whites later so keep them. Add to the bowl a half cup of milk and one and one and a half teaspoons of vanilla and whisk until combined. Add one half of a cup of butter that has been melted. Take the ingredients on the waxed paper and gradually pour them into the bowl while mixing well. Take the whites of the egg and beat them until they are stiff but make sure they are not dry. Scoop them into the batter and fold them in. Bake in a waffle maker made for Belgian waffles and serve with confectioner’s sugar sprinkled over or you can put some chocolate chips and whipped cream on top. They are good with strawberries that have been sliced or different fruits served on top.

Banana Nut Waffles are a unique treat for the family. Combine in a large bowl three fourths of a cup of flour, one tablespoon of baking powder, one fourth of a teaspoon of salt and one fourth of a cup of wheat germ. In a small bowl you will need the yolks of two eggs saving the whites to use later. Add one fourth of a cup of oil and one and one half of a cup of milk to the yolks and blend well. Pour into the flour combination and combine well. Crush 1 cup nuts in a grinder or blender or you can use pumpkin or sunflower seeds and pour into the bowl. Peel a banana that is over ripe and mash it with a fork and add with three tablespoons plain yogurt. Combine well. Take the reserved whites of the eggs and beat until stiff then fold into the batter. You can add a bit more milk if the batter seems to be over thick. Cook in a waffle iron and serve with syrup or with honey.

The crispy little wafers of the Middle Ages are now full fledged waffles. They are fluffy and one is enough to serve for a meal with delicious toppings. There are some recipes for main dish dinners that use waffles with chicken and they are delicious. In Belgium and some other countries waffles are sold right out in the street just like they were in days gone by and they seem to be on the menu at many restaurants. They are not hard to make so whip some up for a meal or as a unique dessert.

You can find your next deliciouswaffle recipe on Ben Cooks website dedicated to waffles. If you want to learn how to make sugar waffle recipe and other tasty waffles his site is the place to check.