The Fresh Loaf

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Liege Wafels to Die For!

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

Liege Wafels to Die For!

Hi Folks,

This is my first post... Here it goes!

I'll Have better quality images next time!  Sorry

I’ve been following all of your postings for about a month now and loved every bit of what I have read.  I too have the same passion, though I turned my obsession into a career.

My latest yeast born obsession was triggered by Bobby Flay's "Throw Down" with Wafels and Digges of Manhattan

http://midtownlunch.com/2010/01/21/wafels-waffles-dinges-on-throwdown-with-bobby-flay-video-food-network/

http://www.wafelsanddinges.com/), Then I found this: http://vendr.tv/video/wafels-and-dinges/.

Never having heard of, nor ever tasted a Liege Wafel (Gaufres de Liege or Belgian Sugar Wafel), I found my self with a new mission in life... I did a little research and found that most of the formulas for Liege Wafels (my version to follow) were about the same.  King Arthur Flour's formula is the one that was the most original.  And to be truly honest, to date I have not as yet made the King Arthur version because I truly love what I've come up with and I can't seem to find it online again! 

The dough is basically a Brioche dough with an attitude (imbedded with pearl sugar).  Here are a few basic guidelines:

  • Start the dough with a soft sponge (rest at room temp for about one hour) or even better with a Poolish!
  • Use a dough whisk or paddle attachment to fully develop the dough before adding the fat
  • *Add room temperature fat (Unsalted Butter is BEST!) in about ten parts being sure to incorporate fat thoroughly before the next addition.

Recipe yields about 5-7 nice wafels:

1/3 cup  warm water

1/4 oz.    Active Dry or the appropriate amount of instant yeast (although I prefer compressed)

1 1/2 Tbs.  Sugar

2 cups     Bread or Patent Flour

1/8 tsp.  Salt

3ea.        Eggs,  room temperature

1 tsp.      Vanilla

**Zest from one lemon

8oz.   *Unsalted Butter, room temperature. 

*In my lab I only use butter, for my daughter who is lactose intolerant I use a lactose free margarine

** Cinnamon can be used in place of the lemon zest. Mmmm!


Make a sponge (or poolish) from the water, yeast, sugar and a little of the flour.  Allow to mature for a minimum of one hour before blending in the remaining flour, eggs, lemon zest, salt  and vanilla.  Be sure to develop dough fully. As for a beurre blanc sauce preparation, the fat should be added in nuggets while agitating vigorously. Be sure to blend-in the fat until you form a smooooooth batter-like consistency!  Allow the batter to rest for an additional hour at room temp.  If desired it can be given one or two folds during this period.

After portioning into the desire size, I find that it easiest to round them on the counter with a Baker's plastic scrapper.  Place them on an oiled tray and lightly oil their tops as to avoid having them stick to the plastic wrap.  Wrap, then refrigerate until firm (about 30-45 min.).  They may be retarded for up to 24 hour.

 

 

Portioned Liege Dough

 

 

Preheat your Belgian Waffler (non-stick is best and you'll need to fidget around with the temperature setting of your machine to find the best setting.  I suggest somewhere in the mid-range will work best).  With all of the fat in this formula, I do not find it necessary to coat the griddle with anything.

*Note: This wafel does form caramel deposits on your waffler and does require a little extra effort cleaning when done! But well worth it!!

 Pearl SugarLars Own Swedish Pearl Sugar can be purchased from King Arthur Flour, but I find it is less expensive to get it from my local Ikea (in the food court/market place area) for under $4 for a 10oz. package.  It's made from beet sugar and looks a lot like pretzel salt

 

Lars Own Swedish Pearl SugarGrain of pearl sugar

 

 

I find that most recipes for Liege Wafels say to add the sugar into the batter during the mixing process, but I find the sugar does dissolve into the dough after a time.  In my experience it is best to stretch the unit into an oval then press it into the pearl sugar just before grilling.

Liege dough embedded with pearl sugAR

 

Place the sugared dough onto the preheated waffle iron and cook to the desired degree of caramelization.

 

 

Caution!!! Caramel is VERY HOT!

 

Finished Liege Wafel...Mmmmm   

ENJOY as is or topped with all of your favorites.


Please let me know what you all think.


Robert

Comments

SylviaH's picture
SylviaH

this would be.  You got me at caramel!  Thanks for sharing your lovely special waffle!

Sylvia

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

Sylvia,

Thank you.  They are very special.  Wait until you taste them!  There is a coffee house in Philly that makes them with the cinnamon instead of the lemon zest.  They too are great.  They even fill them before grilling.

Let me know how they come out.

 

Robert

turosdolci's picture
turosdolci

These look great.  I don't have a waffel maker but have been thinking of buying one.  This convinces me I need one.  Thanks for the recipe, I'll try it.

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

I have several other great formulas I would be willing to share with all (none yeast types). 

I have a Waring single waffle maker, but they just came out with a double maker.  Though this American style waffle maker will do the job, for true Brussels & Liege wafels you should get the rectangle type waffle maker.

And for those interested, I have perfected the Stoopwafel (yeast based, caramel syrup filled cookie-like wafel that is pronounced as...Strope Waffle.  For this you need a waffle cone maker by Chef's Choice ($50).

 

Robert

 

turosdolci's picture
turosdolci

Ihave been to Brussels & Liege and several other places and have had waffels there and I can tell you they were great.  Thanks for the information about the Waring waffle maker.  I live in Switzerland and we don't have the same brands, but I plan to spend part of the year in Florida and when I get there I will buy one. I will copy your recipe on a word document and give it a try.  Thanks

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

Find a rectangle style Belgium Wafel maker in your area that has the best reputation.  The Very Best Real Brussels Wafel makers I have found online are being sold for about $600 to $900 US!   But you do not need these to make great wafels!

Just make sure you have control over griddle's temperature and the maker is one that heats evenly.

 

Robert

koloatree's picture
koloatree

Greetings,

Can you point to where I can find these waffle makers?

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

For me the Lars does the trick.  My local Ikea has it on the shelf all the time at a VERY resonable price (under $5 a pound).  Ikea is also NOT trying to sell me any franchise oppertunities! 

If $9.00 per pound is in your budget and you might also be looking for a wafel/pearl sugar franchise, you might want to check-out that site...

Great Baking All,

Robert

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

Folks,

Try http://thedutchshop.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=pearl+sugar

They have both Authentic Belgian ($3.95 per pound) and Swedish Pearl at a very reasonable price.

They also have the Authentic Belgian Pearl Sugar in a 55 Pound Bulk for $3.18 per pound.

Great Baking All.

Robert A. , CMB

Baking & Pastry Instructor, The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes

 

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

Sorry,

This site has Carrare Belgian Pearl Sugar and Lars Own Belgian Pearl Sugar ($3.95 per 8oz.)

 

Robert 

Pop N Fresh's picture
Pop N Fresh

Hey Look at this:

http://www.lepicerie.com/catalog/product_230380_Pearl_Sugar___Sucre_Grains_6.html

ONLY $5.85 per pound for #6 pearl sugar from France...thats close to Belgian.

They also have bulk packs!

Great Baking,

 

Robert