Liège Sugar Waffle Recipe: Not to be confused with the American "Belgian Waffle"


My family recently returned from a trip to Paris. While walking the streets and enjoying the atmosphere we meandered through an antique fair. One vendor was selling these delicious sugary waffles. 
It has been a long time since I've had a Liège waffle. It brought back such amazing memories. 
Here is how to make your own sugar-pearl waffles. 

What is a Liège Waffle?
Centuries ago, the Bishop-Prince of Liege,Belgium, grew tired of his breakfast brioche and asked his chef to prepare something new and different.  Just before baking, he put the sugars “pearls” that were normally on the outside of the finished brioche into the dough directly.  Instead of baking the dough patties in an oven, he baked them in a waffle iron.  His result was a fragrant, warm waffle coated with caramelized sugar.

The prince was delighted.  Of course, all the courtiers were equally impressed and soon the town of Liege was well-known for ‘gaufres de Liege confections. Sugar Waffle is also a common name used for these waffles.  


Liège Waffles
Ingredients
Serves12
Prep time45 minutes
Cook time15 minutes
Total time1 hour
Meal typeDessertSnack
  • 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cups lukewarm milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • 2 large organic eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces Belgian pearl sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk.
Add the flour and salt.
Add the butter (make sure it is soft) eggs and the vanilla.
Stir together with a wooden spoon.
Cover dough and allow to rise until it doubles in size, about 30 minutes.
Heat your waffle iron.
Stir in the pearl sugar.
Scoop out about 1/4 cup of dough. (Use an ice cream scoop for ease)
Place in heated and greased waffle iron and cook until golden brown. 


Remove each waffle carefully with a fork or tongs and cool on a wire rack. 
Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Options: While still hot, stick slivers of dark chocolate into the Liège Waffles for a sugary, chocolatey treat. 

© Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities™.

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