Liege waffles

By foodiva

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup lukewarm water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted (about 1 cup), plus more for brushing
• 1 cup Belgian pearl sugar

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from neuroticbaker.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, whisk the brown sugar and yeast into the lukewarm water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, mix the flour with the salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix at medium speed until shaggy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing for 20 seconds between each. Whisk the vanilla with the 1 cup of melted butter. With the mixer at medium-low, gradually mix in the butter until smooth; the batter will be thick and very sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Stir the pearl sugar into the risen batter. Cover again and let rest for 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 250°F. Preheat a Belgian waffle iron (or conventional waffle iron) and brush it with melted butter. Gently stir the batter to deflate. Using about 2 tablespoons of batter for each, cook the waffles according to the manufacturer’s directions until they are golden and crisp; brush the waffle iron with melted butter as needed. Transfer the waffles to plates or keep them warm in the oven, then serve.