There's something so cozy and irresistible about a warm, spiced waffle crisped to perfection, especially when it's topped with a luscious sauce. This Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe brings all the magic of holiday baking into your breakfast plate, with a perfect balance of ginger, molasses, and crunchy, sweet pecans drizzled in maple syrup.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made plenty of waffles in my kitchen, but these gingerbread waffles hold a special place in my heart—especially when paired with that sticky, sweet maple pecan topping. It’s like breakfast meets dessert in the best way possible.
- Unforgettable Flavor: The warm spices and molasses infuse the waffles with that classic gingerbread taste, making them perfect for any time of year.
- Crunch Meets Sweet: Toasted pecans drizzled with real maple syrup add a delightful crunch and natural sweetness that takes these waffles to another level.
- Easy to Make: Despite feeling fancy, this recipe is straightforward and works beautifully with standard kitchen tools and ingredients.
- Adaptable: You can easily customize the toppings or swap ingredients if you want to make them vegan or gluten-free—I'll share some tips below!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a special role in making the gingerbread waffles just right—from the cozy spices to the tender crumb created by melted butter and buttermilk. Keep an eye out for good-quality molasses; it really makes a difference.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for tender waffles with enough structure to hold the spices and syrup.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure your waffles lift nicely and stay light, despite the dense molasses.
- Ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg: The warm, earthy spices that make it true gingerbread magic.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled for a rich, tender batter.
- Brown sugar: Dark brown adds a deeper molasses flavor and sweetness.
- Molasses: The star that gives that unmistakable gingerbread depth—opt for unsulphured or Grandma’s brand for best taste.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and boost fluffiness.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and reacts with baking soda to make the waffles light and flavorful. You can DIY this if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
- Pecans: Toasted until fragrant to bring out their natural nuttiness and crunch.
- Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup for that perfect sweet finish with a rich depth.
Make It Your Way
I often like to tweak this recipe based on the season or company I’m serving. It’s really forgiving, so feel free to get creative and make it your own! Here are a few variations that I’ve found work beautifully.
- Variation: For a dairy-free version, swap the buttermilk with coconut or almond milk and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to mimic the tang—still delicious and just as spiced!
- Extra zing: If you like a little citrus brightness, sprinkle orange zest into the batter or add a spoonful of lemon curd alongside the maple pecan topping.
- Gingerbread pancakes: I’ve turned this batter into fluffy pancakes when I’m out of waffle iron time—same batter, just cooked on a griddle until bubbles form, then flipped.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl with a pour spout (makes life easier for later), I whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and all those beautiful warm spices—ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg—and the salt. Take a moment to smell the mix—it’s already making you think cozy mornings.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses until everything is smooth and glossy. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Finally, whisk in the buttermilk until just combined. This combo makes the batter luxuriously rich and tangy.
Step 3: Combine and Don’t Overmix
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and whisk gently until just combined. Don’t fret if there are a few lumps—that’s actually a good thing and will keep the waffles tender. Overmixing means tough waffles, and nobody wants that.
Step 4: Cook Your Waffles
Preheat your waffle maker (I usually set mine to medium-high). Brush or spray it with nonstick spray so those waffles lift easily. Pour about ⅓ cup of batter per waffle (adjust depending on your iron size). Close and cook until golden and crisp, usually 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack on a baking sheet in a warm oven so they stay crispy while you finish the rest.
Step 5: Make the Maple Pecan Topping
While your waffles are cooking, pop those pecans in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir constantly—pecans toast fast and can burn in seconds! When you smell that toasty aroma, quickly lower the heat, pour in the maple syrup, and warm it up for a minute. Voila—your topping is ready.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Stack those waffles, drizzle generously with the warm maple pecan syrup, and savor every bite. I promise, this is the kind of breakfast that makes everyone pause and smile.
Top Tip
From my experience, a few small tweaks can change your Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe from good to wow. These are my go-to tips for the best results every time.
- Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is melted but not hot—it should be warm to the touch so it doesn’t cook the eggs when mixed.
- Don’t Overmix: A few lumps in your batter are totally fine and will keep waffles light and tender. Overworking the batter makes them dense.
- Toasting Pecans: Toast the pecans low and slow while stirring constantly to avoid that bitter burnt taste—I’ve learned this the hard way!
- Waffle Storage: Keep cooked waffles on a wire rack instead of a plate so they stay crisp instead of getting soggy while you finish cooking.
How to Serve Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with the maple pecan topping, but if I’m feeling fancy, I love adding a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy touch. Fresh cranberries candied in sugar add a festive pop, especially around the holidays.
Side Dishes
A side of crispy bacon or sausage links contrasts perfectly with the sweet, spicy waffles. For a lighter option, some fresh fruit or a yogurt parfait balances the richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday brunches, I like stacking mini gingerbread waffles with layers of mascarpone cream and drizzled maple pecan syrup, garnished with a sprig of rosemary for a fragrant, elegant touch. It doubles as a beautiful centerpiece on the table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Waffles are best fresh, but if you have leftovers, let them cool completely on a wire rack before stacking and storing in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll keep well for up to 2 days, but they lose a bit of that crisp charm.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! After cooling, freeze waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They keep for up to 3 months and are a lifesaver for busy mornings or unexpected guests.
Reheating
I reheat frozen waffles in a toaster or toaster oven for a few minutes, which brings back that crisp exterior perfectly. Avoid microwaving, because that tends to make them soggy—trust me on this one!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Mix 1 and ⅔ cups whole milk with 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This gives the batter the tangy flavor of buttermilk without needing to buy it.
Yes! The batter works wonderfully as pancakes. Cook on a greased griddle over medium heat until bubbles appear on the surface and edges look dry, then flip and cook until golden on the other side.
Use a wire rack to cool cooked waffles instead of stacking them on a plate, and keep them warm in a low oven until serving. When reheating, toast them instead of microwaving to keep crispness.
Final Thoughts
Making this Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe feels like gifting yourself a little cozy happiness on a plate. I hope you enjoy the warm spices, the crisp exterior, and that amazing maple pecan drizzle as much as I do. It’s perfect for weekend breakfasts, holiday brunches, or whenever you need a treat that feels special yet approachable. Go ahead, try it out—you might just find a new favorite!
Print
Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Pecan Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 4-inch square waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious gingerbread waffles featuring warm spices, molasses, and a tender crumb, perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch. These waffles are served with an optional maple pecan topping that adds a sweet and nutty flavor, making each bite extra special.
Ingredients
Waffle Batter
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 and ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 and ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¼ cup (50g) light or dark brown sugar (preferably dark)
- ¼ cup (60ml) unsulphured or dark molasses
- 3 large eggs
- 1 and ⅔ cups (about 400ml) buttermilk
Optional Maple Pecan Topping
- ¾ cup (90g) pecan halves
- 1 and ½ cups (360ml) pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your waffle maker on medium-high heat and preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and set aside to keep cooked waffles warm.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl with a pour spout, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses until combined. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each. Then whisk in the buttermilk until blended.
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined. Some small lumps are okay; avoid over-mixing to keep waffles tender.
- Cook Waffles: Lightly grease the preheated waffle maker with nonstick spray. Pour approximately ⅓ cup of batter into each waffle well (adjust quantity for smaller waffle makers). Close the lid and cook waffles until crisp and golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer cooked waffles to the wire rack in the warm oven to keep crisp while cooking remaining batter.
- Prepare Maple Pecan Topping (Optional): While waffles cook, toast pecans in a saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning. When toasted and fragrant, reduce heat to low, add maple syrup, and warm through for about one minute. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Serve the warm gingerbread waffles immediately topped with the warm maple pecan syrup or your preferred toppings.
Notes
- Waffles are best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in a toaster or oven before serving.
- Substitute whole milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar added to milk to make a DIY buttermilk substitute if needed. Let sit for 5 minutes before use.
- You can use either Belgian or traditional waffle makers; adjust batter quantity and cooking time based on your appliance.
- This batter can also be used to make gingerbread pancakes by cooking on a griddle or skillet over medium heat.
- Other delicious toppings include lemon curd, whipped cream, sugared cranberries, or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Leave a Reply