Sweetheart Waffles

A Traditional and Romantic Scandinavian Breakfast Treat

Heart-shaped waffles are a traditional treat throughout Scandinavia, made crisp in Sweden and soft-textured in Norway. Topped with jam or berries and whipped cream, or wafer-thin slices of gjeitost (Norwegian brown goat cheese), they're a favorite with coffee or as a snack. This recipe is my adaptation of Norwegian-style waffles served by my friends Megan and Sverre in Trondheim, Norway. - ScandoGirl

Prep: 20 min. / Cook: 20 min. / Serves: 5

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, separated

• ¼ cup white sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar

• ¼ cup water

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1.      Place egg yolks into a large mixing bowl with the sugar, and beat until light and frothy. Mix in the vanilla sugar and water until evenly combined, and stir in half the melted butter, half the buttermilk, half the flour. When mixture is smooth, mix in remaining butter, buttermilk, flour, cardamom, and salt, and beat again to a smooth batter.

2.      In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form stiff peaks; gently fold the egg whites into the batter, incorporating as much volume as possible.

3.      Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.

4.      Spoon about 1/3 cup of batter into the preheated waffle iron, close the lid, and cook until the waffle is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove waffle to a plate. If using a heart-shaped iron, break the waffle into individual hearts to serve. Repeat with remaining batter.

Note: Vanilla extract can be substituted for vanilla sugar

Source: Allrecipes.com