Ah, pumpkin waffles—there’s something almost magical about them, right? The earthy sweetness of pumpkin mingling with warm spices takes me straight back to cozy autumn mornings, where the air is crisp and coffee is mandatory. I mean, who can resist that rich aroma wafting from the kitchen? It’s like a warm hug on a chilly day.
Steps
- Preheat your waffle maker to medium-high heat and set your oven to 200°F (93°C) with a wire rack placed on a baking sheet inside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs on high speed until frothy, then add the pumpkin, melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk, mixing until just combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until incorporated, ensuring not to over-mix; some small lumps are acceptable.
- Grease the preheated waffle maker with nonstick spray, pour about 1/3 cup of batter into each section, and cook until the waffles are crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes, following the specific instructions of your waffle maker.
- Keep the cooked waffles warm in the preheated oven as you continue to cook the remaining batter.
- For the optional maple pecan topping, toast pecans in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly, then add maple syrup and warm through before serving over the waffles.
- Serve the waffles immediately with the warm maple pecan topping or your choice of toppings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups + 2 tablespoons (265g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (225g) pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons; 56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (90g) pecan halves
- 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) pure maple syrup
FAQ
- Can I make pumpkin pancakes using this waffle recipe?
- No, the ratios of wet-to-dry ingredients differ for waffles and pancakes since waffles require longer cooking times. If you’re interested in pumpkin pancakes, you might want to try a separate pumpkin pancake recipe.
- What type of milk can I use for the pumpkin waffles?
- Whole milk is recommended for creating rich and tender waffles. However, you can substitute with buttermilk or a nondairy milk option if necessary.
- Can I freeze leftover pumpkin waffles?
- Yes, you can freeze the waffles. Allow them to cool completely, then freeze them for up to three months. To reheat, simply place them in a toaster.
- What toppings go well with pumpkin waffles?
- Besides the optional maple pecan topping, you can use pumpkin butter, apple butter, whipped cream, sugared cranberries, or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar to enhance the flavor of your pumpkin waffles.
- What can I do with leftover canned pumpkin?
- If you have leftover pumpkin puree, you can use it to make homemade pumpkin coffee creamer or explore other recipes that require pumpkin puree.
Tips
- Whisk the Eggs Thoroughly: Beat the eggs until frothy before adding the other ingredients. This step helps ensure the waffles remain light and fluffy, counteracting the heaviness of the pumpkin.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they are combined. It’s okay if there are small lumps in the batter, as overmixing can lead to dense waffles.
- Keep Waffles Warm: To serve all the waffles at once, place cooked waffles on a wire rack over a baking sheet and keep them warm in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) until the entire batch is ready.
- Try the Maple Pecan Topping: Enhance the flavor of the waffles with a simple topping of toasted pecans and warm maple syrup. Toast the pecans for a few minutes in a pan before adding the syrup to create a deliciously sweet and nutty addition.
Equipment
- Waffle Maker
- Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer)
