Recipe #31: Belgian Waffles

One of the things that we bought with the Macy's gift cards that we were given as wedding gifts is a belgian waffle iron. We thought that waffles and fruit would be a fun weekend morning treat. None of the waffle recipes that I found online jumped out at me, so I used the Joy of Cooking's recipe for belgian waffles. It ended up being a longer process than I had expected, but the result was very good and was worth it. The waffles were also pretty good heated up a few days after.

Belgian Waffles
from The Joy of Cooking

Whisk together:

1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm (105 to 115 degree F) milk

Let stand until the yeast is dissolved, about five minutes. Whisk together in a large bowl:

3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup lukewarm milk
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm

Whisk in the yeast mixture along with:

1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons vanilla

Add, in three parts:
4 cups all-purpose flour

Alternating, in 2 parts, with:
2 1/2 cups warm (105 to 115 degree F) milk

Beat until soft peaks form then fold into the batter:
3 large egg whites

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place, until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Stir to deflate the batter.Preheat your waffle iron. Follow your waffle iron's directions.