Description
A rich, caramelized Belgian waffle featuring pearl sugar that melts into crunchy sweetness — crispy outside and tender inside.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) warm whole milk (110 °F/43 °C)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 8 tbsp (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (170 g) Belgian pearl sugar
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla.
- Mix on low with dough hook until a soft dough forms, about 2–3 minutes; scrape down bowl.
- Add softened butter, a few tablespoons at a time, mixing until fully incorporated and dough is smooth and elastic, about 5–7 minutes.
- Cover bowl, let dough rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, until nearly doubled.
- Gently fold pearl sugar into dough until distributed; avoid overmixing.
- Preheat waffle iron to medium-high. Portion dough (approx. ¼ cup or 60 g) per waffle.
- Place dough in waffle iron, cook 3–5 minutes until golden brown and sugar caramelizes. Be careful of sugar dripping.
- Remove waffles, let cool briefly on wire rack; serve warm, plain or with toppings.
Notes
- Use Belgian pearl sugar for authentic caramel pockets; substituting coarse sugar isn’t recommended.
- Allow dough to fully proof but don’t over-rise — a slightly dense texture with caramel crunch is signature.
- Waffles are best eaten fresh but can be rewarmed; broil for 1 minute to crisp.
- Dough can be refrigerated overnight after first rise — bring to room temperature before folding in sugar.
- Freeze cooked waffles between parchment; reheat directly from frozen in toaster or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg