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4.70 from 13 votes

Liege Pearl Sugar Waffles

Liege waffles are made with a brioche-like yeast dough and are studded with pearl sugar. Pearl sugar is basically a small chunk of sugar that holds its shape as the waffles cooks, leaving you with gloriously crunchy bites of sugar. They make regular waffles look like amateurs. 
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time4 minutes
Total Time24 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Belgian
Servings: 7 waffles (6 inch)
Calories: 781kcal
Author: The Food Charlatan

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • 2 & 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup whole milk warm but not hot
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks) very very soft
  • 1 & 3/4 cup pearl sugar*
  • powdered sugar for rolling dough

Instructions

  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, add 4 cups of flour, spooned and leveled.
  • Stir in 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 and 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt.
  • Make a well in the center of the flour.
  • In a glass measuring cup, add 1 cup whole milk. Heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir. It should be nice and warm, but not hot. Heat for another few seconds or stick in the fridge for a minute if it doesn't feel nice and lukewarm.
  • Add the warm milk to the well in the center of the flour. Add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast. Add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir the liquid with a small spoon. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  • When you come back, the yeast should look nice and frothy. (If it doesn't, wait another 5 minutes, and if you still don't see any growth from the yeast, toss it all and start over because it's dead, YOU KILLED IT. But it's okay. Don't cry over spilled milk OR dead yeast, just try again.)
  • Once you're sure your yeast is alive and well, crack 2 eggs into the milk. Break up the eggs with a fork and whisk them into the milk lightly with a fork.
  • Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract to the liquid.
  • Use a spoon or beaters to stir the flour and the liquid together. (I actually hold my dough hook in my hand and stir a couple times, but only because I hate extra dishes.)
  • Switch to the dough hook (or start kneading with your hands.) Knead with the dough hook until the dough has come together completely.
  • With the mixer running on low or medium low, add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Wait until the butter is incorporated into the dough before adding the next tablespoon. Yes, add the full cup of butter. It's what makes this dough so thick and brioche like, with a stretchy soft center that is unlike any waffle you've ever had! The process of adding the butter should take at least 5 minutes.
  • Once all the butter is incorporated, continue kneading with the dough hook for about 3 minutes.
  • Scrape the dough down and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm spot and let rest for 30 minutes. (I like to turn my oven on to 350 for about 1 minute and then turn it off, then let the dough rest inside. Make sure the oven is not hot. You should be able to touch the rack with your fingers.)
  • Prepare a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat (I love my Silpat) or spray the pan generously with nonstick spray.
  • Once the dough has rested 30 minutes, use your hands to divide the dough into about 7 sections. Each section should be about 7 ounces, give or take. You don't need to roll it into a ball or anything special.
  • Place each section of dough on the prepared baking sheet, with plenty of space in between each one.
  • Spray some plastic wrap with nonstick spray. Cover the dough loosely with the plastic.
  • Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, divide the 1 and 3/4 cup pearl sugar into 7 equal portions and gently incorporate it into each section.
  • Preheat your waffle iron. I love my Presto Flip Side waffle maker. You could even make these waffles in a non-Belgian waffle iron, but I do think it's better when the waffles are thicker for this recipe.
  • Preheat your oven to 170 degrees F (the keep warm setting). Place a wire cooling rack in the oven.
  • In a medium bowl, add some powdered sugar. Roll one section of dough generously in the powdered sugar.** There is no need to grease the iron. Place it directly in the center of your waffle iron and press the top down firmly. Leave it in the waffle iron for 2-5 minutes, depending on how hot your waffle iron is. The waffle is done when the edges are a deep golden brown.
  • Remove the waffle with a fork and transfer to the wire rack in the oven. Be careful!! The edges of these waffles are caramelized and they are HOT.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and serve. It's great with strawberries or Nutella. I prefer minimal toppings for Liege waffles, and say no to maple syrup. I mean you can, I just feel like it takes away from the yeasty caramely flavor that is what makes Liege waffles so glorious. Make sure you serve these warm. The outer edges are caramelized and will crisp up quite a bit if they are not warm. Reheating in the microwave is fine. 
  • There is going to be a lot of sugar on your waffle iron when you're done. Adding water to your hot waffle iron, while it's still on, is your best option for dissolving the burned on sugar! You can also use an old toothbrush or disposable chopstick for dislodging burned-on chunks. You can then unplug your waffle iron and gently pour the water into your sink, being careful not to burn yourself.

Notes

*If you can't find pearl sugar, I've heard that chopped sugar cubes are a decent substitute, but I've never tried it.
**The powdered sugar is optional. If you do it for every waffle, eventually the sugar will caramelize and it may burn the edges of your waffles. I compromised by unplugging my iron to let it cool down a bit in between waffles. These waffles are still great without the powdered sugar, it just enhances the caramelization on the edges, which I love. 
Make ahead freezer instructions: Once you've adding the pearl sugar in step 15, you can separate the dough as described, store in individual ziplock bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer and let thaw on the counter for about 2 hours, then let the dough rest for about an hour. You don't need to take it out of the bag. Then cook as described. The waffles will still be delicious, but the pearl sugar won't be quite as crunchy. You can also freeze any completed leftover waffles you have for 2 months. Serve warm!
Make ahead overnight instructions: Make the dough through step 12 (don't add the pearl sugar). Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, pick up with step 14: stir in the pearl sugar, section out the dough, and let rest for 1 hour. This would be perfect for Christmas morning! Let them rest while you do stockings!
Source: adapted from Taste Cooking

Nutrition

Serving: 1waffle | Calories: 781kcal | Carbohydrates: 120g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 4mg