Cooking with Kids: Gingerbread Waffles Recipe

Gingerbread Waffles

Using an Electric Mixer and a Waffle Iron

Makes about four 6x10-1/2 inch waffles

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Waffles... A waffle is a crisp, light quick bread made from a batter which always contains eggs. Waffles are made in a waffle iron, which is a utensil with two metal parts hinged together. Each section of the iron has an embossed surface with crisscross designs that are imprinted on the waffle as it bakes. Waffles are a very old form of bread, and in Europe there are centuries-old, elaborately patterned waffle irons, many in the shape of hearts. So let's try some Gingerbread Waffles.

Equipment: 2 mixing bowls, electric mixer, measuring cups (dry and liquid), waffle iron, measuring spoons, rubber spatula, sifter.

Ingredients:

2 eggs, separated
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup dark brown sugar firmly packed
1/2 cup light molasses
1 cup milk
2 cups flour (sift before measuring)
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

1. In the first mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form (an electric mixer works great for this!).

2. In the second mixing bowl, cream (beat together) the butter or margarine and the brown sugar. Mix in the molasses, egg yolks and milk.

3. Sift the flour again with the baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Then, with a rubber spatula, fold the beaten egg whites into the batter mixture.

4. Pour a small amount of batter into a preheated waffle maker (the batter expands as it bakes). Bake until lightly browned. Serve with maple syrup and/or sautéed apple slices.