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Oct212020

Authentic Belgian Liège Waffles

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Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles
Belgian Liege Waffles

Find the recipe card at the end of the post. Make sure to read the content as it contains chef tips, substitution options, answers to FAQs to help you succeed the first time around!

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This yeasted dough waffle is mixed with pearl sugar to give you the most amazing waffle you’ll ever eat. Crispy, crunchy almost candied-coated outside with a pillowy soft interior that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dessert!

When it comes to waffles, I was never that kid who liked the ones in the box growing up (or my Mom’s for that matter). She made batter-type waffles where I prefer these Liège ones or the other type of American Belgian waffles.

What about you?

Belgian Liege Waffles

8-1-21 update

There was a typo in the amount of flour in the original recipe posted. I wrote down the wrong numbers in error which lead to the dough not really forming a dough. I just got done re-testing this 4 times with the correct measurements and these waffles came out perfectly each time just like in the pictures.

The correct flour measurement is below. My apologies for this error. I’m human and sometimes can’t read my own writing apparently 🙂

What’s the Difference between Liège and American Belgian Waffles?

For me, there are several differences in taste, texture, and ingredients.

American Belgian Waffles

These are most of a batter consistency that has no yeast but rather uses leavening agents to get the rise and fluffiness. They also require you to fold your whipped egg whites in.

These are super fluffy and light inside with a golden brown and crisp to the exterior.

Get the full details and recipe here.

Liège Waffles

These are yeasted waffles that require a 2-step proofing and pearl sugar (I’ll go further into what that is a little later). This dough is made, proofed, punched down, folded, and then cold fermented in the fridge for 24 hours before adding the sugar.

They are sweeter (due to the addition of the pearl sugar), crisper with almost a crunch to them however the inside is still soft. The sugars will caramelize when cooking thus making them crunchy.

 Belgian Liege Waffles

Let’s Make Waffles!

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the milk, water, and yeast. If using Active Dry Yeast, gently mix with a spatula and set aside to bloom the yeast for ~5-10 minutes. Once bloomed, add in the granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
    If using Instant Yeast, add the milk, water, yeast, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
  2. Add in the eggs, honey, and vanilla. Mix, then add in some of the flour and mix scraping down the dough hook.
  3. Add in the salt and a little bit of flour at a time with the mixer on low until all of the flour is combined. 
  4. Next, add in the butter one tablespoon at a time. Be patient here as the butter will take a few minutes to incorporate itself into the dough. The dough will come back together.
  5. Transfer the dough to a larger, greased bowl and allow to double in size.
  6. Punch it down, fold, cover again, and place it in the fridge overnight*.

Belgian Liege Waffles

Chef’s Tip about Cold Fermenting

I prefer to cold ferment my dough as it gives the end product a more developed flavor. BUT you don’t have to do so. You can use it right away after it’s doubled in size and you’ve punched it down.

Incorporate the Pearl Sugar

  1. Flatten the dough out into a rectangle and sprinkle in the pearl sugar (I tend to add 1 1/2 cups first then the rest on the last fold like shown below).
  2. Fold up the bottom third of the dough onto itself and then the top third overtop the folded-up piece (like an envelope).
  3. Press to seal the seam and then add the remaining pearl sugar.
  4. Fold one side over to the middle, pressing down and then the remaining side overtop.

Belgian Liege Waffles

Pearl Sugar

Belgian Pearl Sugar is simply sugar that’s been tightly compressed forming larger, chunks of sugar that won’t dissolve when baking.

Note: There is something called Swedish Pearl Sugar – that is different than Belgian. They are smaller in size and used mainly for topping or garnished baked goods. Do not use them in this recipe as you won’t get the same caramelization and crunch as you would with Belgian.

Is there a substitute or can you make your own?

So there are debates – some have said you can take sugar cubes and smash them. I’ve not tried that and I don’t feel like making a mess with the sugar cubes. These are fairly inexpensive and last a while (in a dry container).

I get mine off of Amazon.

Belgian Liege Waffles

  1. Press to seal the seam and gently roll/rock back and forth creating a snake/log.
  2. Using a serrated knife, cut into 12 equal pieces.
  3. Roll into balls and cover with plastic wrap while your waffle maker heats up.

Belgian Liege Waffles

  1. Lightly spray your waffle maker, add one dough ball to the center and close the lid. Cook per your maker’s instructions.

Chef’s Tip on Waffle Makers

I swear by THIS waffle maker. It has deep pockets AND the plates are removable.

The key to cooking these waffles is to find the setting your waffle iron that is hot enough to caramelize the pearl sugar but not so hot that it’ll burn the sugar and give you an underdone waffle.

I would advise starting on a low setting and gradually increase the temperature until you find your “sweet spot”.

Belgian Liege Waffles

Golden Brown, Crunchy & Delicious!

That’s what these waffles are!  They are so crunchy, sweet (but not overly sweet), and almost have a caramelized candied taste.

These are great straight from the maker (but let them cool slightly as hot sugar BURNS!). Trust me, I know this all too well!

Belgian Liege Waffles

Liège Waffle Toppings

Gosh.. the sky is the limit!

  • Confectioners’ sugar
  • Syrup
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Whipped Cream
  • Yogurt
  • Peanut Butter
  • Nutella
  • Ice Cream
  • …whatever your little heart desires!

Belgian Liege Waffles

Ways to Serve Liège Waffles

I LOVE this section! These aren’t ‘t just for breakfast or brunch!  Oh no, sweetpea, these are like a magic carpet to Delicious Town!

  • Breakfast/Brunch – serve with suggestions above
  • Lunch – slice in half, toast, and add your favorite sandwich items
  • Dinner – top with fried chicken (regular, hot honey, Nashville), top or fill with pulled pork and bbq sauce
  • Pizza – yes, for real! Top with sauce, cheese, and toppings, and bake!
  • Snacks – cut into sections and serve with assorted cheeses, dips (cheese dip, chocolate, etc) and enjoy!

Belgian Liege Waffles

Make-Ahead and Freezer Waffles

Make-Ahead

To make these for a crowd, you can keep the waffles warm in a 200 F (95 C) oven. Simply make, place on an oven-safe cooling rack set in a baking sheet, and place in the oven until ready to serve (within 30 minutes).

Freezer Waffles

These waffles can be stored in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. For ease, wrap each cooled waffle individually and place them in a freezer bag.

Reheating Waffles

Toast the waffles or place in a 250F oven until warmed through.

Belgian Liege Waffles


Belgian Liege Waffles

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Authentic Belgian Liège Waffles

  • Author: TKWAdmin
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 5-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10-25 minutes
  • Category: breakfast, waffles, snacks
  • Method: Waffle Maker
  • Cuisine: Breakfast, waffles, snackes, dessert

This yeasted dough waffle is mixed with pearl sugar to give you the most amazing waffle you’ll ever eat. Crispy, crunchy almost candied-coated outside with a pillowy soft interior that’s perfect for breakfast, cut in half for a sandwich, or topped with ice cream and fruit for a dessert!

Belgian Liege Waffles
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★★★★★ 5 from 16 reviews
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Ingredients

  • 245 grams (1 cup) whole milk
  • 118.5 grams (1/2 cup) warm water
  • 1 package (7 gr) instant yeast (can use active dry but you will have to bloom it first)
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 2 XL eggs, room temp and lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (can use extract)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft but not melted
  • 741–800 grams (~5 3/4 –   6 1/4 cups) AP flour
  • 6 grams (1 teaspoon) kosher salt
  • 2 cups pearl sugar

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the milk, water, and yeast

    *.If using Active Dry Yeast, gently mix with a spatula and set aside to bloom the yeast for ~5-10 minutes. Once bloomed, add in the granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix just until combined and continue to step 2.If using Instant Yeast, add the milk, water, yeast, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix just until combined and continue to step 2.

  2. Stop the mixer and add in the eggs, honey, and vanilla. Mix until combined. Add in 2 cups of flour and mix until the flour is hydrated and mostly mixed in. Stop the mixer, scrape down the paddle attachment, and switch to the dough hook.
  3. Add in the salt and 1/2 cup of flour at a time with the mixer on low until all of the flour is combined. You may not need all of the flour depending on how humid your space is. The flour dough should start to pull away slightly. Next, add in the butter one tablespoon at a time. Be patient here as the butter will take a few minutes to incorporate itself into the dough. The dough will come back together. Remove the dough ball from the bowl and transfer it to a larger clean bowl lightly greased. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit on the counter in a warm, dry place until doubled in size (1-3 hours).
  4. When doubled, deflate the dough by punching it down in the center and bringing the edges of the dough over the top (like you’re folding it into itself). Replace the cover and put the bowl of dough in the fridge to allow it to ferment overnight.*Note you can skip the overnight fridge resting if you are short on time. Move to step 6 to continue. The cold ferment just helps develop more flavors in the waffle.
  5. If you cold fermented the dough, the next day, remove the dough from the fridge and allow the dough to come to room temp (about 2 hours).
  6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured board. Flatten the dough out into a rectangle and spread out 1 1/2 cups of pearl sugar. Fold the bottom third up and then the top third on top of that. Press down and add the rest of the pearl sugar. Fold the sides up to form a rectangle. Slowly cup the dough and roll it out into a log about 12-14” long Divide the dough into 12 pieces, shape into balls, flatten slightly into round discs, and place on a parchment-lined pan. Cover with lightly sprayed plastic wrap.
  7. Heat up your Belgian waffle maker. Since all makers are different, you’ll have to fiddle around with yours. I would advise starting off on low and increase the temperature a little at a time until you find the correct setting that will caramelize your sugars and cook your waffles to the perfect golden caramel brown. Spray the iron with non-stick spray and place a round of dough in the center of your waffle maker. Close and cook until the waffle puffs up, cooked through and the sugar pearls are caramelized. Carefully remove from the maker, and serve immediately or place it on a cooling rack.

Notes

*time does not include proofing or fermenting time

4829.2 g217.9 mg9.2 g92.1 g8.8 g51.7 mg

Keywords: Authentic Belgian Liège Waffles, yeasted waffle, pearl sugar, chicken and waffles, liege waffles overnight, liege waffle recipe, belgian pearl sugar, best waffles, sweet dough, enriched dough

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Pairs Perfectly With:

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Seriously delicious Maple Butter Cream Sauce Maple Butter Cream Sauce

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Recipe Reviews & Comments

  1. Bettina says

    February 5, 2023 at 2:11 pm

    Wow, this was my first attempt at making authentic Belgian waffles and I was skeptical at first but followed the recipe to a t and OMG they turned out perfect! So fluffy and tasty and caramelized on the outside…
    I didn’t have pearl sugar so found a video on YouTube on how to make it. Not perfect (the sugar melted into the waffles on the inside, so no crunch there) but good enough to create the caramelization on the outside. Will get the real stuff for next time.
    Will never go back to ‘normal’ waffles. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Linda says

    January 18, 2023 at 1:54 pm

    These are delicious! Definitely will make them again. Only tried a bite and made in advance so I can have them for breakfast after reheating, otherwise takes too long for me to have first thing in the morning. Can’t wait to try them as dessert too!

    Reply
  3. Elaine says

    December 24, 2022 at 10:24 am

    Finally I’ve stumbled upon a great waffles recipe that I can try at home. I love all the steps. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Gloria says

    December 19, 2022 at 10:30 am

    Waffles are always a hit. These certainly are gourmet waffles indeed. I need to try these out for brunch over the holidays.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. David says

    June 19, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Great waffles! I would caution people though to thoroughly spray the waffle iron with non stick as the batter is very hard to remove. I halved the recipie as there is only 2 of us and it tasted wonderful! We loved it, very filling.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Jess says

    January 24, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    So taste of Belgium is my absolute favorite restaurant until the location in my city closed. These Belgium waffles tasted EXACTLY the same. I am so grateful there’s no words lol I was literally ecstatic. Best recipe ever. Thank u!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
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