Waffles & Butter & Syrup, Oh My!

Waffles are one of my favorite breakfast foods, ever. When I go out to breakfast, it is always a tossup between savory and sweet...I never know which one I want more of but if the place has waffles I usually end up getting them.
I am lucky enough to have a husband who buys me things for my kitchen around the holidays, and lucky for him, I love getting appliances and other kitchen gadgets. Last year, he bought me a waffle iron. Our previous one was a wedding gift, but it was not a great one. Not the fault of the buyer, it was exactly what I registered for, but I chose a budget minded waffle iron on my registry and not one w/ bells and whistles. The one I got last year is a Cusinart that makes 6 square waffles at a time and has different time settings and it is amazing. With the perfect waffle recipe & this waffle iron, you can have delicious waffles anytime!

Now onto the perfect recipe. I first found it here ~ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/classic-belgian-waffles-recipe/index.html and have been using a modified version of it for a couple years. Since going gluten free, I worried I would have to give up my favorite waffle recipe, but instead, I made it with gluten free flour and it is just as delicious.

Gluten Free Waffles

2 c gluten free all purpose flour (I used Bobs Red Mill)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xantham gum
1/2 tsp salt
4 lg eggs (seperated)
3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple flavor
4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted~do this first & set it out to cool off a little...trust me!)
2 c milk

Grease your waffle iron...some use nonstick cooking spray, I like to use oil brushed onto the cold waffle iron w/ a pastry brush. After greasing, preheat the waffle iron.

Mix together flour, baking powder, xantham gum, salt in one large bowl. While separating the eggs, put the 4 egg whites into their own medium sized bowl and the egg yolks in a 3rd bowl. Mix the sugar into the egg yolks until well combined, then add in the melted butter & milk.

 If the butter is still warm, mix it with the milk before adding it to the egg mixture. (Be careful not to add hot butter to the egg mixture or the eggs can start to scramble.)  Add maple flavor & vanilla flavor and mix well; add the egg yolk mixture to the dry mixture and blend until combined. Do not over mix.

Using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.

 Add to the batter, and fold gently into the mix.

 Scoop by 1/4 c into each slot on waffle iron and cook until golden brown. Mine take about 4 minutes.

These waffles should turn out lightly browned, crispy on the outside and light & airy on the inside. They are delicious served immediately or frozen and heated up for a quick breakfast! The best way to re heat, is in a toaster or toaster oven on low to medium heat until warmed throughout.

Yes this recipe has a lot of steps and may seem like a pain but it makes an amazing waffle!