Belgian Sugar Waffles | Liege Waffle Recipe

In this instructable, I will show you how to make Belgian Sugar Waffles, also sometimes called Liege Waffles. They are very popular here in Phoenix where I live, we have Waffle food trucks that drive around selling these amazing waffles, with all kinds of different toppings. Belgian Sugar Waffles recipes are different then a classic batter waffle recipes. They are made from a yeast based dough instead and have an ingredient called pearl sugar in them. The name "Sugar" waffle comes from the pearl sugar. If you have never tasted one of these before, you are missing out. :) So now you can make your own, if I can make them, you can make them, let's get started.

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both! :)

Step 1: Ingredients/Tools

Print this recipe here if you like.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (420g)
• 2 1/4 tsp. of active dry yeast (1 packet of instant yeast will work too) (12g)
• 3/4 cup of warm milk (1%, 2%, Whole, etc. 100 to 115 F.) (187mL)
• 8 ounces or 1 cup, softened butter (226g)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp. salt (2g)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (5ml)
• 1 8 ounce bag of Pearl Sugar (225g)

Tools:

• waffle iron
• wooden spoon
• bowls
• whisk
• tongs or fork
• dough cutter or knife
• plastic wrap

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Step 2: Start the Yeast

First let's get our yeast started. Warm up your milk to 100 to 115 F. And place in a large bowl. Then add your active dry or instant yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it gets foamy. If it doesn't get foamy, throw it out, and start over. It means the yeast is bad, or the milk was too hot or too cold. The last think you want is to add all the ingredients and have the dough not rise. :)

Step 3: Vanilla, Eggs, and Butter

Once the yeast has been activated and has gotten foamy, let's add in our vanilla extract and our eggs, then whisk them together. Next add in your softened butter. Give that a bit of a mix with a wooden spoon, or you can use a stand mixer too if you wish.

Step 4: Finish the Dough

Now let's add in about half of our flour. Add the salt on top of the flour, and mix to combine. Then add more flour, until the dough comes together, and when you press on it, it doesn't stick to your finger.

Step 5: Knead That Dough and Let It Rise

Now we take our dough and put it on a flat surface, and knead it for 5 to 8 minutes, incorporating the rest of the flour while kneading. Place the dough in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about an hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 6: Pearl Sugar

Now let's punch down the dough and add the pearl sugar. Then incorporate the sugar into the dough buy kneading it for a minute or two. Next cut it into 8 equal pieces. I shape it into like a log, then cut it in half, then half, etc., until I have 8 pieces.

Step 7: Spray and Cook

Now let's spray our waffle iron with kitchen spray and cook those waffles. My waffle iron has a dialed for temp. I like to put it on the 2 to 3 setting which is about Medium heat. If your iron doesn't have a heat setting, just keep your eye on it, the sugar likes to burn if it gets too hot. With that said, do NOT touch the waffles, the sugar gets really hot. Use tongs to remove the golden brown waffles, and let them cool before touching or eating them. :) Then top them with your favorite toppings and enjoy! :)

Step 8: Video Tutorial

Print this recipe here if you like.

Now watch those steps in action by checking out my video tutorial. :)

Comments

[Lorddrake]

are these similar to the wafels & dinges in NYC?

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

Maybe, I have never been there. haha. Looking at their website, yeah are similar yes. :)

[RudyD1]

As a Belgian living in Belgium, please note there are actually two kinds of Belgian waffles:

- The ones from Liège as you described, except that usually the iron does not have that cross in the middle. They are a lot heavier and usually not a perfect rectangle or square.

- The ones from Brussels that are rectangular and a lot "lighter". Well except if you pour a lot of icing sugar on top and an extra run of whipped cream :-) They are pretty popular with strawberries too!

You can grab some recipes from the french speaking site "Marmiton": Search at Marmiton site

Just to be complete, you also find waffles in France, at "Lille". This is a city very close to the Belgian border. They are thinner and stuffed.

French keywords: "Gaufres de Liège", "Gaufres de Bruxelles" and "Gaufres de Lille".

Enjoy!

NB: French fries are actually from Belgium too :-)

I forgot to mention there are special forks with 2 long teeth to avoid breaking the waffle.

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

Thanks for your comments and tips! That is awesome. This is written from the American point of view, and what he have here in the States. The recipe I used was actually a Belgian Recipe, it was on the back of the box of the Lars Own Pearl sugar, imported from Belgium. lol. With all that said, here in America we have to different types of Belgian Waffles as well, one made with the batter and one like these Liege Waffles, with Liege being far less common. Lost of Americans haven't even heard of waffles made from dough. But they are becoming more popular. Some day I would like to actually visit Belgium and try out the waffles and the fries there! haha lol

[jamesdhatch]

Rather than use expensive pearl sugar, I buy Domino sugar cubes in a box. Then I put the cubes in a gallon ziplock baggie and whack it with a wooden rolling pin until the pieces are about the size of pencil erasers.

I strain the bag contents through a wire mesh strainer to sift out the granulated sugar that comes from smashing the cubes up and use that as regular granulated sugar. The small chunks go into the waffle dough.

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

Yes that is a great idea. I am pretty sure in the video I mention using sugar cubes, but I think I forgot to put it in the written part. Would save money for sure. Pearl Sugar isn't cheap. Well at least here in the States lol

[smartrem]

At this point, you can add a tiny bit of icing sugar befoe cooking, the waffles will be more caramelised. Enjoy!

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

Very cool tip thanks!

[lynnekz]

Several years ago when my family went to Niagara Falls Canada, they had these waffles on the breakfast buffet at the hotel we stayed at. They were so delicious. I had them every morning we were there. I can't believe I now have a recipe and will be able to make them at home. Thanks!

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

Awesome! :) Glad you have tried them before, so you know what I am talking about. lol Let me know how the homemade ones turn out. :)

[Penolopy Bulnick]

I just LOVE these waffles! They are the bestest bestest!

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

hehehe awesome! Yes they are so great! had one for breakfast this morning. LOL I only have one left now. haha

[Penolopy Bulnick]

They are such a great grab and go snack too. Like if you make a bunch and have some in the fridge you can just grab one on your way out and snack on it since it already has the sugar it doesn't NEED anything else on it.

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

That is so true! You can totally just eat them plain. :) There is a place near me called YoWaffle. It serves these kinds of waffles but it it also a frozen yogurt place. So you can get frozen yogurt on your waffle if you like. lol It is pretty awesome.

[audreyobscura]

YES! I just revived my sourdough starter for the sake of making yeasted waffles. Now I have a recipe to work from! Thanks!

[In The Kitchen With Matt]

Awesome! Let me know how they turn out and how you like them! :)