Heart shaped waffles are a Scandinavian tradition topped with berries. I’ve given this ritual an American touch with Cranberry Maple Syrup for Valentine’s Day.
A Norwegian heart shaped waffle iron would be ideal to make these waffles, but an American waffle maker will do for those of us who don’t have access to one. You can simply use a cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the waffles for your Valentine’s Day presentation. Although, be prepared that you will have plenty of left over bits of waffles using this method. However, you decide to make your heart shaped waffles, I hope you enjoy these delicious breakfast treat.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
2 12-ounce packages fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon butter
2 eggs, separated
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 pinch salt
Whipped cream (optional)
Method
- First make the syrup by combining all ingredients except butter in a heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring often.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer until cranberries pop, stirring often. This should take about 12 minutes.
- Transfer to bowl. Cool completely. Add butter, and stir until melted.
- Set aside until waffles are done.
- To make waffle batter, place egg yolks into a large mixing bowl with the sugar, and beat until light and frothy. Mix in the vanilla sugar and water until evenly combined, and stir in half the melted butter, half the buttermilk, half the flour. When mixture is smooth, mix in remaining butter, buttermilk, flour, cardamom, and salt, and beat again to a smooth batter.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form stiff peaks; gently fold the egg whites into the batter, incorporating as much volume as possible.
- Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.
- Spoon about 1/3 cup of batter into the preheated waffle iron, close the lid, and cook until the waffle is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove waffle to a plate.
- If using a heart-shaped iron, break the waffle into individual hearts to serve. If using regular waffle maker, then cut out heart shapes with heart cookie cutter. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve waffles topped with Cranberry Maple Syrup and whipped cream (optional).
