Chocolate Belgian waffles

Chocolate Belgian waffles

1 h
Thick, luxurious chocolatey waffles are a delicious treat that will satisfy the sweet cravings of the whole family. Either on a slow weekend morning or a dessert any other day of the week. Serve with ice cream or a berry-flavoured cream and chocolate sauce for the perfect contrast between sweet and sharp.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/chocolate-belgian-waffles/

Instructions

Berry-flavoured cream (part one)
  • Prepare the first part of the cream so it’s virtually ready to go when the waffles are done. Add the berries and sugar to a pot, heat them for around three minutes while stirring until the sugar has dissolved and formed a thick berry-sugar liquid.
  • Spread the berry mixture on a flat plate and allow it to cool in the fridge.
Chocolate waffles
  • Whisk eggs and sugar together until fluffy.
  • Mix the cacao powder, baking powder, flour, salt and finely chopped chocolate in a bowl then gradually add to the egg batter along with the chocolate milk.
  • Add the melted butter last and stir until even.
  • Pre-heat the waffle iron, then add 75ml of the dough. Bake for 4-5 minutes. Repeat this process until all of the waffles have been baked.
Berry-flavoured cream (part two)
  • Whip the double cream in a bowl until fluffy, then mix in the chilled berry mixture.
  • Serve on top of the newly baked waffles along with the suggested serving options.
Enjoy!

Questions about chocolate Belgian waffles

Have a look below for the frequently asked questions about this delicious sweet treat. Chocolate Belgian waffles will be perfect to satisfy your sweet cravings!

Why are my Belgian waffles not crispy?
Make sure to let the waffle iron heat fully before adding your batter – starting the cooking process before the iron is ready won’t result in the correct balance between crispy outside and fluffy inside.
Why are my Belgian waffles tough?
Overworking your batter will result in a tough, dense waffle. Whisk steadily and at an even pace until smooth so you don’t run the risk of rushing and ruining the end result.
Should Belgian waffle batter be thick or thin?
Your Belgian waffle batter should be thinner than the kind of batter typically used for pancakes, for example. It shouldn’t be too thin or watery though, and should sit comfortably in your waffle iron.
What is the difference between American and Belgian waffle batter?
While American waffle batter uses baking powder, traditional Belgian waffle batter often uses yeast instead, but this requires leaving the batter to rest overnight before it can be used. The structure is also different: Belgian waffles are larger and thicker, while traditional American waffles are thinner with smaller holes.

Ingredients

Chocolate waffles
Eggs
3
Cane sugar
125 g
Plain flour
150 g
Cacao powder
1 tbsp
Baking powder
1½ tsp
Salt
¼ tsp
Dark chocolate 55%, finely chopped
50 g
Melted butter
100 g
Berry-flavoured cream
Frozen berries
150 g
Cane sugar
3 tbsp
Double cream
150 ml
To serve
Chocolate sauce
50 ml
Fresh lemons balm leaves

The history and origin of Belgian waffles

While Belgium has been serving some kind of waffle since 1604, there are technically two versions of the sweet treat commonly found in the country. The Brussels waffle is similar to the kind served in the US, is shaped like a rectangle, and is fairly light and airy. The first written records of this version being served in the city’s cafes date back to 1874.

The Liège waffle, on the other hand is thicker, sweeter, contains chunks of caramelised sugar and is usually served hot. This recipe is a take on the Brussels waffle.

The top 5 classic waffle toppings that go well with chocolate

The beauty of waffles is they work incredibly well with virtually any topping you can think of. Chocolate and banana is one classic, and the fruit can be swapped for strawberries, raspberries or blueberries with equally good results. Alternatively, try combining the chocolatey sauce with chopped nuts for a pleasant texture contrast.

Fun serving suggestions

If you’d rather scale back the chocolate content, ditch the chocolate sauce and instead try nut butter like almond butter, ice cream or thick yoghurt and honey. A toppings buffet is also a fun idea where small bowls of anything from fresh fruits, nuts and chocolate chips to sprinkles, freeze-dried berries and crushed granola are served for a build-your-own dessert.