Grandma’s Sourdough Waffles: A Timeless Breakfast Delight
When reflecting on the cherished moments of our childhood, it’s often the simple pleasures that stand out the most, and for many of us, breakfast holds a special place in those memories. One such delightful recollection is of my grandmother’s legendary sourdough waffles, which she graciously prepared for us during our visits. These waffles, with their unique texture and rich flavor, were unlike anything I could find in restaurants, leaving me yearning for that homemade touch. Recently, after acquiring my very own waffle iron, I reached out to my grandmother, who kindly shared her treasured recipe. The joy of indulging in these waffles is amplified when paired with the finest real maple syrup.
Before we dive into the recipe, it’s essential to note that this delightful breakfast must be initiated the night before. From my personal experience, allowing the mixture to rest for approximately 10 to 10.5 hours yields a more pronounced flavor compared to the shorter 7.5 to 8 hours. I recommend taking the extra time for a richer taste that truly honors my grandmother’s tradition. Remember, while the overnight fermentation may sound daunting, this passive preparation time is what ultimately contributes to the waffles’ enchanting flavor and texture.
Cooking Time
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 8 hours | 8 hours 15 minutes |
Recipe Overview
| Description | Category | Servings | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| A cherished family recipe that delivers delightful sourdough waffles, perfect for breakfast. | Breakfast | 4 | 8-9 waffles |
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 467.7 |
| Total Fat | 10.3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 105.8 mg |
| Sodium | 355.4 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 78.7 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g |
| Sugars | 6.7 g |
| Protein | 13.5 g |
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 cups | White flour |
| 1 packet | Dry yeast |
| 2 ½ cups | Lukewarm water |
| 2 | Eggs |
| 2 cups | Milk or oil |
| 1 tsp | Baking soda |
| 2 tbsp | Sugar |
| ¼ cup | Butter or margarine |
Instructions
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Prepare the Night Before: The evening prior to your desired breakfast, combine the white flour, dry yeast, and lukewarm water in a large bowl. It’s advisable to use a tall bowl, as the mixture will rise significantly during fermentation.
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Cover and Ferment: Once combined, cover the bowl with a towel and allow the mixture to sit at room temperature overnight. This fermentation process is crucial for developing the signature sourdough flavor.
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Morning Mixing: Upon waking, uncover the bowl and give the mixture a gentle stir. Don’t be alarmed by the texture; it may appear unconventional, which is entirely normal.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the eggs and enough milk (or oil) to achieve a thin, pourable consistency. If you find mixing challenging due to the stickiness, consider whisking the eggs in a separate bowl beforehand to make the process smoother.
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Combine Baking Soda and Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and sugar together until free of lumps. This step ensures even distribution of these ingredients into the waffle batter.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the baking soda and sugar mixture to the bowl with the sourdough batter. Stir until fully combined.
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Rest the Batter: Let the batter sit for approximately 15 minutes. This brief resting period allows the ingredients to meld beautifully and gives you time to preheat your waffle iron.
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Preheat Waffle Iron: As the batter rests, preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A properly heated waffle iron is key to achieving that perfect golden brown finish.
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Grease the Iron: Before pouring in the batter, spray the waffle iron with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will need to be repeated as you continue cooking multiple waffles.
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Cooking the Waffles: Experiment with the amount of batter you pour into the iron and the cooking time. For our family, using a ladleful of batter and cooking for approximately 3-5 minutes yields ideal results. However, cooking times may vary based on your waffle iron.
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Add Creative Ingredients (Optional): Feel free to get creative! Many enjoy enhancing the batter with ingredients like crumbled bacon, blueberries, or grated apples for a personalized touch. While I haven’t tried these additions yet, they come highly recommended by fellow waffle enthusiasts.
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Serving: Typically, this recipe yields about 8-9 waffles, perfectly serving 3-4 people. However, your yield may vary based on the size of your waffle iron and how much batter you use per waffle.
Enjoying Your Waffles
Once cooked, serve these scrumptious sourdough waffles hot from the iron, drizzled generously with real maple syrup for a breakfast experience that transports you straight to your grandmother’s kitchen. The memories of laughter, warmth, and delicious food will surely fill your home as you enjoy this classic recipe with your loved ones.
Each bite offers a taste of nostalgia, reminding us that some recipes, much like family traditions, are truly timeless. Enjoy the process, and may your kitchen be filled with the joy that only a special breakfast can bring!
