Vanilla Bean Waffles
These rich vanilla bean waffles are the ideal brunch for Valentines Day. Top them with your lovers favourite toppings. Scroll down for the recipe.
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Sweet breakfast and brunch recipes
These Vanilla Bean Waffles are the perfect dish to make whether you’re making breakfast in bed, or a candlelit brunch for two. You can whip up the batter in just minutes. Pop them into your waffle machine, wait for them to get crisp and fluffy before serving with your favourite toppings.
These waffles feel like an extra special breakfast or brunch because, unlike lots of breakfast and brunch recipes, they are sweet! There’s something decadent about enjoying a breakfast smothered in chocolate sauce and served with ice cream.
I’ve shared some of my other favourite sweet breakfast and brunch recipes below.
Customising your vanilla bean waffles
We like to top ours with fresh fruits best but your really can use anything. I’m a sucker for a dark chocolate sauce and a healthy dollop of freshly whipped cream! For Jon I add a sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts too.
Other toppings might include:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Cherries in syrup
- Banana
- Chocolate Sauce
- Toffee or caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- Ice cream
- Nuts
- Sprinkles
How to make vanilla bean waffles
The first step to any waffle recipe is making the batter. To get these extra light and fluffy it’s not quite as simple as throwing all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisking.
Making waffle batter
First you need to separate the egg whites from the egg yolks.
Whisk the whites to stiff peaks.
In a separate bowl, add the flour, bicarbonate soda, caster sugar, vanilla and salt.
Make a well in the middle then whisk in the egg yolks.
Next comes the milk. Add it in slowly while you whisk to avoid getting lumps.
Last but not least, fold in the whisked egg whites. Do this gently. You want to end up with a light and frothy batter.
How to cook waffles in a waffle machine
Make sure your waffle machine is non-stick or brush lightly with some melted butter. Spoon in the batter and close.
You might have to adjust the cooking time according to your waffle makers instructions and I appreciate not all of you will have a machine that makes heart shaped waffles. (Maybe that’s an idea for a Valentines Day present next year!)
If I’ve learnt anything over the last couple of years it’s don’t overfill the waffle machine. They do puff up quite a bit! And the last thing you want is to be cleaning half cooked waffle mix spilling out over your kitchen counter.
Can I make the waffles ahead of time?
Finally, remember that you can freeze any extra waffles you make. You can then re-heat them in the toaster, microwave or grill then next time you fancy a romantic breakfast in bed.
The recipe
As well as being a quick recipe to make, there aren’t too many ingredients either. Hopefully you’ll already have most of them in the house which means you can make them at the drop of a hat! (Ideal if you totally forgot it was Valentines Day! Don’t worry, we’ve all been there…)
Vanilla Bean Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 150 g plain flour
- 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 vanilla pod seeds only
- 1 pinch salt
- 25 g butter melted
- 300 ml milk
Instructions
- Heat the waffle maker according to the instructions that come with your machine.
- Separate the yolks from the whites and place the whites in a large bowl.
- Using an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks.
- In a separate large bowl, add the flour, bicarbonate, caster sugar, seeds from the vanilla pod and the salt and whisk (by hand) to incorporate.
- Make a well in the centre and add the egg yolks and melted butter.
- Start whisking until a smooth paste has formed add slowly add the milk.
- Keep whisking until you get a smooth, thick batter.
- Finally, carefully fold in the egg whites until you have a light batter frofthy batter.
- Spoon the batter into your waffle maker and cook for 5 mins or according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Keep going until you've used all of the batter (they freeze well once cooked).
- Add the first couple of batches to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven (no higher than 100C).
- Serve with your favourite toppings!
Nutrition
More Valentines Day recipes
If you need more inspiration for Valentines Day breakfast or brunch why not check out these recipes from some of my fellow food bloggers here in the UK. There’s a good mix of sweet and savoury options so you could even have a 2 course meal! I’ve also included vegan and gluten free options. Do go and check them out!
- Cinnamon Eggy Crumpets from Celery and Cupcakes
- Beetroot, Blueberry and Buckwheat Pancakes from Veggie Desserts
- Italian Eggs Benedict from Fuss Free Flavours
- Nutella Spelt Pancakes from BakingQueen74
- Vegan Semolina Pancakes with Maple and Nutmeg Roasted Plantain from Recipe from a Pantry
- Gluten-free Meze-inspired Crumpets from A Mummy Too
Alternatively check out the Valentines Day recipe collection on the blog:
Happy Valentines Day!
I love a good wedding too. In fact I think I have only ever been to one bad wedding ever and that was only because it rained ALLLLL day! Love the waffles. Must do them at the cafe at some stage. x
Awww what a shame about the rain 🙁 the only bad wedding I ever went to I ended up doing the washing up during the reception and didn’t get to dance hahaha. Never offering to do that again 😛 the waffles are so versatile I’m sure they’d go down really well at the cafe. Must stop by soon xx
That’s so romantic! I hope the wedding was as romantic. 🙂 And these sweet and celebratory waffles are always welcome. These are no exception. Gorgeous and scrummy yummy, Emma. I would be most chuffed to have a stash of these in the freezer to liven up a wet Wednesday morning.
Thanks Kellie! The wedding was wonderful 🙂 forgot my camera though so no photos unfortunately! Definitely treat yourself to a waffle or two. You won’t regret it.
These look gorgeous Emma I will have to dig out the waffle maker and treat us this week! Love the sound of them and your toppings look amazing!
Thanks Lucy! You can’t beat a bit of fresh fruit – makes these one of your five a day 😉 haha!
Oh wow!
Now this looks SO yummy!
You have such a knack for this, LOVE the accompanying images
Awww thank you! I’ve been really trying to up my game with the photos 🙂 it’s always nice when they come out this well!