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My Liege Belgian Waffles are crispy, sweet, and kissed with cinnamon. These gourmet waffles are perfect for dessert, breakfast, or brunch.
If you're a waffle lover, try these recipes: Strawberry Waffles, Buttermilk Waffles, Peach Waffles, Corn Waffles, Blueberry Waffles, Fried Chicken and Waffles, and Chocolate Waffles.
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What's The Difference Between Liège and Belgian Waffles?
The difference between a Belgian waffle and Liege waffles has more to do with pearl sugar and additional toppings (chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and fruit).
Belgian waffles are light and crisp. Whereas liege waffles are dense, chewy, and sweetened from pearl sugar.
The Belgian waffle was first introduced to the world as the Brussels Waffle at the 1964 World's Fair by Maurice Vermersch, and it was served with strawberries and whipped cream.
The Belgian waffle is made yeast-based and cooked in a waffle iron, producing a light, airy, flavorful treat. They had the most significant influence on our version of waffles in America.
A Liege waffle is made from a yeast-brioche-based dough with pearl sugars, sometimes labeled pearl sugar waffles. Adding the pearl sugar creates a beautiful caramelization and sweet pop as you bite into it.
Traditionally, both waffles are eaten by hand without a fork, knife, or maple syrup.
It should be mentioned that both waffles are rectangular, not circular, like we're accustomed to eating waffles in America. However, they could be made in circular too.
Liege Waffles Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need for these mouthwatering liege waffles.
Active Dry Yeast
1 packet is all you need. I wouldn't recommend using instant dry yeast because you want the yeast to help develop the depth of flavor.
Evaporated Milk
I love the sweet umami flavor that evaporated milk adds.
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
I will always recommend using unbleached flour to avoid unnecessary chemicals in your food.
Cinnamon
This is not a traditional ingredient, but it makes the waffles taste like cinnamon toast crunch cereal.
Granulated sugar
A little sugar is needed to activate the yeast, but the pearl sugar will sweeten the waffle perfectly.
Eggs
A couple of large eggs and one egg yolk will do the job.
Pure vanilla extract
Treat yourself to the good stuff.
Unsalted Butter
Most recipes call for melted butter, but I find room-temperature butter blends better with the
yeast dough.
Belgian Pearl sugar
You'll find it in some higher-end grocery stores near the sugar, but if not, you can find it on Amazon. They also help turn the waffles into a beautiful golden color.
How to Make Belgian Liege Waffles
Making liège waffles takes a little technique, but once you get started, you'll quickly realize you got this! The stand mixer will do all the heavy lifting.
Add the yeast, warm milk, flour, cinnamon, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the bowl of your stand mixer.
Add the dough hook attachment and mix on medium speed for 6 minutes until a soft dough ball forms. If you don't have a stand mixer, stir it by hand unless you have a hand mixer with a dough attachment. Most doughs are too heavy and will burn out (break) most hand mixers.
Add tablespoons of room-temperature butter with the mixer on low, a few tablespoons at a time.
Mix until the dough is smooth. It should be tacky but soft not sticking to your fingers when you pinch it. If the dough looks too wet, add 1 teaspoon of flour to tighten it.
Cover the bowl and rest in a warm place for 1 hour until the dough doubles in size.
Shape and flatten the dough into a rectangular shape, and sprinkle pearl sugar over the dough.
Fold the dough on top of each other 12 times.
Roll the liege dough into a log shape.
Divide dough into 12 even portions, roll each into a ball, or weigh them to 3.5 oz. Cover the dough balls with a towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise for 30 minutes on the counter.
Preheat your waffle maker to medium-high and cook the waffles for 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Reduce the heat to medium if the waffles are turning brown too fast. Serve warm with no toppings; dust them with powdered sugar or any toppings of your choice.
How to Store Liege Waffles?
Liege waffles can be made 3 days in advance and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The waffles are good for 5 days.
After they cool completely, transfer them to an airtight freezer bag, and keep them in the freezer for 1 month. Thaw 30 minutes before eating.
You can reheat the waffles straight from the freezer in a 350°F degree toaster oven or oven for 5 minutes. You can also reheat your waffle iron on medium and reheat the waffles for 3-5 minutes.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are the best practices, techniques, substitutes, and flavor builders you'll need for this liege waffle recipe.
- You can make the waffle batter in advance. After you portion and roll them into dough balls, place them in a storage bag in the fridge overnight.
- You can reduce the amount of time in your first rise to 30-45 minutes or let your dough rise overnight.
- Brown eggs have a deeper yellow yolk producing a richer flavor.
- Feel free to make these liege waffles gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour.
- If you want to use wheat flour, use 75% and the remaining regular all-purpose flour for the correct final texture.
- If you're in a hurry, use instant rise yeast instead of active.
- You can use any milk you have on hand instead of evaporated milk.
- Try swapping light brown sugar or raw cane sugar for granulated sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Test 1 waffle with your waffle maker to ensure it comes out golden brown and crispy.
FAQs
Here are the top questions readers have about making Liege waffles at home.
What is pearl sugar?
Pearl sugar is little bite-size pieces of sugar that are used traditionally in Belgian liege waffles. This specialty sugar was once only available in Belgium. They're perfect for adding little pockets of sweetness to pearl sugar Belgian waffles, which is why there's no need for maple syrup.
Where can you buy pearl sugar?
The easiest place to find pearl sugar is on Amazon. Lars' Own Imported Belgian Pearl Sugar and Waffle Pantry Pearl Sugar are trusted brands you can find in stores or order online. You can find it in higher-end grocery stores in the baking section near the sugar.
How can I make homemade pearl sugar?
Making homemade pearl sugar is simple; you only need sugar cubes, a fine mesh strainer, and some aggression.
Place the crushed sugar cubes in a towel, cover them, and hammer it a few times with a mallet or heavy bottom skillet. Pour the sugar into a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and shake until you're left with little sugar pearls.
What makes it a Liege Waffle?
Liege waffles are distinctive because they contain pearl sugar incorporated before being cooked. Pearl sugar keeps its shape during cooking and creates a unique texture, giving them an extra crunchy crust, making them extra delicious!
Why are my Liege waffles hard?
This is most likely due to not adding enough pearl sugar or unevenly distributing the pearl sugar when making your Liege waffles. Also, try adjusting the heat of your waffle maker, as too much heat will cause them to become harder than usual. If you still have difficulty, refer to the recipe or read the guide for your specific type of waffle maker.
What toppings can be served on my Liege Waffles?
You can top your waffles with an innumerable amount of toppings, from sweet to savory options. Here's a list of the classics:
- Nutella
- Fresh Strawberries
- Fresh Blueberries
- Whipped Cream
- Ice Cream
- Hot Fudge Chocolate Sauce
- Chocolate chips
- Cookie Butter
- Poached Egg
- Maple Syrup
- Bacon
What's the difference between a waffle iron and a waffle maker?
A waffle iron and a waffle maker may look similar, but they are pretty different. Waffle irons are heavy-duty cooking appliances heated to high temperatures with two metal plates that close together to cook the waffles. It has deep indentations on the surface, which allows you to cook thin, crispy waffles.
A waffle maker is an electrical kitchen appliance with one plate for each side of the waffle, allowing cooking to be done even. Waffle makers cook thicker, fluffier waffles with shallow indentations on the surface.
You don't need a fancy waffle iron like an all-clad waffle iron to get the job done.
More Breakfast Recipes
If you love breakfast and brunch, add these to your next meal.
- Cheese Omelette
- New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp and Grits
- Pain Perdu (New Orleans French Toast)
- Buttermilk Biscuits and Turkey Sausage White Gravy
- Ramos Gin Fizz
- Lox Benedict
- Grillades and Grits
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Pecan Waffles
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized before I start anything.
Step 1: Get all ingredients and tools for the liege waffles on the counter.
Step 2: Measure everything out into individual bowls.
Step 3: We don't want surprises, so ensure your waffle maker works before starting.
Step 4: Start following the recipe and get ready for the best homemade waffles you've ever enjoyed.
Making these delicious Liege waffles is a great way to upgrade your traditional waffles. Their unique texture and sweet flavor are something to satisfy the whole family. After you eat them all up, leave a comment and star rating, and tag me on social media. #LezEat
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📖 Recipe
Belgian Liege Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 packet ¼ oz. active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm evaporated milk
- 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 sticks unsalted butter room temperature, cut into tablespoons
- 1 cup pearl sugar
Instructions
- n your stand mixer bowl, add the active dry yeast, warm milk, flour, cinnamon, sugar, salt, eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Add the dough attachment and mix on medium speed for 6 minutes until a soft dough ball forms.
- Add tablespoons of butter in a little at a time with the mixer on low. Mix for 4 minutes until the dough is smooth. If the dough looks too wet, add 1 teaspoon of flour to tighten it.
- Cover dough and rest in a warm place for 1 hour until dough doubles in size.
- Transfer the dough to a clean countertop. Flatten the dough into a rectangular shape, evenly sprinkle pearl sugar, and fold the dough on top of each other 12 times. Roll the dough into a log shape.
- Cut into 12 even portions and roll into a ball. I like to weigh each waffle to 3.5 oz. Cover the dough with a towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise for 30 minutes on the counter.
- Preheat your waffle iron to medium-high and cook each waffle for 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Reduce your heat to medium if the waffle is turning brown too fast. Repeat until all waffles are finished cooking. Keep cooked waffles warm in a 200°F degree oven. Serve warm with no toppings or any toppings of your choice.
Notes
- You can make the waffle batter in advance. After you portion and roll them into dough balls, place them in a storage bag in the fridge overnight.
- You can reduce the amount of time in your first rise to 30-45 minutes or let your dough rise overnight.
- Brown eggs have a deeper yellow yolk producing a richer flavor.
- Feel free to make these liege waffles gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour.
- If you want to use wheat flour, use 75% and the remaining regular all-purpose flour for the correct final texture.
- If you're in a hurry, use instant rise yeast instead of active.
- You can use any milk you have on hand instead of evaporated milk.
- Try swapping light brown sugar or raw cane sugar for granulated sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Test 1 waffle with your waffle maker to ensure it comes out golden brown and crispy.
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