Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Ingredients

• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour ((240 grams))
• 2 TBS Light Brown Sugar ((29 grams))
• 1 TBS Baking Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Apple Pie Spice
• 3/4 tsp Kosher Salt
• 2 Large Eggs (– separated)
• 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil ((substitute: clarified butter))
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cup COLD Seltzer Water (- or Club Soda)
• 1 whole Apple (– grated and squeezed dry (about scant 2 cups) (peeling optional))
• 2 TBS Cornstarch
• 1 1/2 TBS Salted Butter ((sub: unsalted + pinch salt))
• 6 TBS Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 TBS Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp EACH: Ground Cinnamon and Apple Pie Spice
• 2 whole Apples (– cored and cut into wedges or medium dice (peeling optional))
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine Dry Waffle Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice, and salt until fully combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and then set the bowl aside. (Note: You can store this mix in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months.)

2. 2

   Preheat Waffle Iron: Preheat an electric waffle maker according to the instructions, or on the medium-high setting if you have the option. (Optional: If you’d like to keep the waffles warm, preheat the oven to 200-degrees Fahrenheit. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and set aside.)

3. 3

   Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks with the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until fully combined.

4. 4

   Beat Egg Whites: Add the egg whites to a medium bowl and use an electric mixer to beat them until stiff peaks form.

5. 5

   Add Cold Seltzer to Wet Ingredients: Add Cold Water to Wet Ingredients: Dump the cold seltzer into the wet ingredients and stir to combine.

6. 6

   Add Wet Ingredients to Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the well in the center of the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Then, set the bowl aside.

7. 7

   Fold in Egg Whites: Add the beaten egg whites to the waffle batter and gently fold until ALMOST combined.

8. 8

   Toss Shredded Apples with Cornstarch: Add the shredded fresh apples to a medium bowl and add the cornstarch. Grab a spoon and toss until fully coated and combined.

9. 9

   Fold in The Shredded Apples: Add the shredded apples and use a rubber spatula to fold the ingredients until they’re just combined - there should be plenty of lumps in the batter.

10. 10

    Add Batter to Waffle Maker: Use a cookie scoop to ladle about ¼ to ½ cup of the waffle batter into the iron (the amount will depend upon your iron – I use about 6 to 7 TBS per waffle).

11. 11

    Cook Apple Waffles: Close the iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 6 to 9 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After the waffles are cooked, transfer them to a plate or to the wire rack in the warm oven and cook the remaining waffle batter.

12. 12

    While Waffles Cook, Make Apple Pie Topping: Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sugar, maple, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Cook, stirring constantly, until melted and combined, about 30 seconds. Add the apples, stir to combine, and reduce the heat to between medium and medium-low. Cover the pan, and let them cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just soft and tender, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Grab a fork or spoon, try one of the apples, and adjust the apple pie topping to taste. Then cover the skillet and set the apples aside.

13. 13

    Serve Apple Cinnamon Waffles and Enjoy: Transfer the apple waffles to serving plates, top with the caramelized apple pie topping, drizzle with maple syrup, and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar or cinnamon sugar. Enjoy immediately.