It’s Waffle Wednesday! Usually it’s more like weekends are for waffles, especially ones like these Chai Waffles with Cranberry Syrup. We went through a little waffle “drought” after our waffle iron broke earlier this year. I finally went out to Williams Sonoma a few months ago and picked up a new one. I think it was after spending all the time in California and having a week where the girls pretty much ate waffles almost every morning for a week. Wow waffle irons have changed over the years. My mom has the same heavy metal one that she had when I was growing up. I’ve been through oh geez maybe 4 or 5 so I was doing my research this time. They now have ones you set for the type of waffles you’re making, the levels for how golden you want them, even drip trays for those times you over fill it and it spills out the side. Oh but don’t worry they still come out with those perfect little squares. You know the ones you made sure to fill each one up with syrup as a kid, or if you were me butter and when it melted you sprinkled them with brown sugar, oh those were the days. While I like pancakes they just aren’t the same. There is something to be said about that perfectly spongy light fluffy stack of pancakes, you know the ones.
I bought the new waffle iron and had hopes of making waffles again on Sunday mornings but it was still soccer season and things were just busy and we hadn’t been able to make waffles until recently. All I wanted was a nice relaxing Sunday morning, sipping my coffee, and making waffles for the family. Sometimes I have a little helper and she helps while sipping her vanilla steamer. I also wanted to switch things up and make waffles once a week for the girls. We use to make breakfast cookies, pancakes, and I would make breakfast every morning but this year something changed and it’s been quicker breakfasts and each of us doing our own things most mornings.
Pumpkin waffles were on my list to make for over a month but instead when I get the chance to make waffles instead of pumpkin waffles with chocolate chips, maybe pumpkin peanut butter, or simple with just pure maple syrup what do I makeโฆ Chai Waffles with Cranberry Syrup. Yep cranberries again! Hey no worries if cranberries aren’t your thing or if I’ve burnt you out on them. Which hey really people post pumpkin non stop this time of year I’m just switching things up this year with something I’ve been craving more than ever. Again I can’t tell you why my love of pumpkin that usually drives my hubby and family crazy isn’t there this year but instead is so hooked on cranberries. I have a few other delicious options. These waffles with their hint of chai are great with caramelized bananas or apples (love to cook banana and apple slice, not together, in coconut oil) or just gold old fashioned classic maple syrup! If you aren’t a fan of chai these only have just a hint of it but can be adjusted for a stronger chai taste.
Perfect for Thanksgiving morning or this coming weekend before the holiday, or really any day. Slowing down for a morning and relaxing and just enjoying time with loved ones, or just a good book. I’m reminded so often lately that we just need to slow down and enjoy the moments and reflect on life and that is what waffles and as my girls call them “big breakfasts” mean to me. The girls always use to tell grandma when we are up staying with them they want a “big breakfast”. To them that means pretty much pancakes, or waffles, cinnamon rolls, cream puffs, popovers, or scones with fresh fruit and maybe bacon if you ask the oldest.
While I might not end up making waffles once or twice a week as originally planned we are coming up on the winter months and things slow down a little around here, minus the holidays. I look forward to all the waffles on snow days, after going sledding or building a snowman, or fueling up on them before going hiking in the snow. I still need to get all the settings down as I decided to try another flour on the batch to photograph, which I learned something else new and had to test out so I added that in the notes as it was a much nuttier gluten free flour blend that contained flax so it soaks up a lot more liquid. Donโt worry see notes it’s easily adjustable and the recipe works for at least 3 other flour types I’ve tried with this waffle recipe over the years. With the settings this time they didn’t come out as crispy as others and the last time.
Chai Waffles with Cranberry Syrup
Makes 4 servings
2c whole wheat white or gluten-free all-purpose*
1 1/2 TBSP baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 eggs, flax eggs or chia eggs
1 1/2c dairy free chai drink (like REBBL Ashwagangha Chai) or 2:1 ratio of chai tea concentrate and dairy free milk (1c chai Gray Duck Burnt Ginger Chai Tea Concentrate, 1/2c So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk)**
6oz (3/4c) coconut milk yogurt (So Delicious Greek Style Coconut Milk Yogurt, Vanilla)
Cranberry Syrup
1/2c sugar or local honey
1/2c water
1c fresh or frozen whole cranberries
pinch of cinnamon, optional
Served with coconut whipped cream (So Delicious Coco Whip), optional.
Also delicious served with maple syrup and or caramelized bananas if cranberries aren’t your thing or you want to switch things up.
*If using a flour like Cup4Cup Wholesome it’s thick so I add a little more chai/milk, about 1/2c. This flour has flax and other grains that soak up moisture.
** Adjust if you want more of a chai flavor using a higher ratio of concentrate.
Bring sugar, water, and cranberries to a boil. Reduce and cover cooking for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Heat waffle iron. Prepare flax/chia egg if using. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl mix together chia drink/chia and milk, yogurt, and eggs. Add flour mixture to the wet and mix until just combine. Spray waffle iron with coconut or non stick spray and make waffle according to your waffle makers instructions. If serving waffles all at once place cooked waffles on a cooling rack while others cook to prevent them from getting soggy (which happens as hot waffles sit on a plate).
While waffles are cooking blend cranberry mixture in a Vitamix, or high-speed blender. Add 1/4-1/2 cup water to reach desired consistency. If you make the Cranberry Syrup ahead of time and refrigerate it will thicken so you will need to warm it up before serving.
Top waffles with whipped cream and cranberry syrup. Enjoy!
Oh and if you have leftover cranberry syrup you can store it in the fridge or use it for cocktails/mocktails!
Chai Waffles with Cranberry Syrup, add a little peace and spice to your holidays! @OceanSprayInc #WaffleWednesday Click To Tweet
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AZ@…And a Dash of Cinnamon
I love waffles and have made chai waffles before. Tasty! Although sometimes it can be hard for the chai flavor to get through depending on your other ingredients. Love the combo with cranberry! Now if only my waffle maker hadn’t broken….
AZ@…And a Dash of Cinnamon recently posted…Pumpkin Pie Protein Yogurt [Clean, Gluten Free, Lower Carb]
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you! Yes there is just a hint of spice. To get more you can use straight concentrate. Sounds like you are in the same boat we were in. We went months without one but I had to get another one.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
Waffle Wednesday is something I can certainly get on board with!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Veteran’s Day & Birthday Runs & Fun
awhiskandtwowands
YES, especially these winter months!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness
Gosh I can’t remember the last time I made waffles!! This reminds me to bust out my waffle maker because this recipe looks too yummy not to try!!!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…5 Essential Postpartum Health Tips
awhiskandtwowands
We were in the same boat and go in phases. Living without for one for so long I felt like we didn’t really need one but oh I missed those weekend mornings with waffles.
Kara @ Byte Sized Nutrition
I’m a huge fan of chai, but I’ve actually never baked with it before. These look like the perfect Sunday brunch!
awhiskandtwowands
It’s a great way to just add a little spice to anything, waffles, pancakes, bread, ect. Of course if you want a strong chai flavor you usually have to go with the chai spices too depending on what you’re making. Thank you.
jill conyers
I love chai. Combined with delicious waffles is brilliant.
jill conyers recently posted…Little Things You Can Do To Reduce Stress
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you Jill!
Elizabeth Shaw
So much love for this recipe and post! These waffles look like they are straight from a magazine! Nice work!
Elizabeth Shaw recently posted…Comment on Love Always Campaign- Spreading Holiday Cheer from the Champagne Lady by EA – The Spicy RD
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you! Funny because they weren’t as crisp and perfect as all the other batches so I almost didn’t post them.
Cricket
Chai tea is one of my favorite flavors, loved that you used it for waffles!
awhiskandtwowands
It’s so great this time of year, so warm and comforting.
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
This is such a gorgeous weekend breakfast! Chai waffles sound heavenly, especially with that amazing cranberry syrup!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious recently posted…By: Menu Plan Monday: November 14, 2016
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you Jessica! The only thing that would have made it picture perfect was snow on the ground. ๐
Rebecca Strength and Sunshine
Well I’m glad the waffle drought is over! This looks like a heavenly stack to have multiple times this winter!
awhiskandtwowands
Haha so are my girls! So many fun flavor ideas running through our heads.
abbey
This looks like the perfect brunch idea to whip up on the weekend, yum!
awhiskandtwowands
Yes a nice relaxing weekend with a cup of coffee or cocoa!
Lindsay Cotter
These look so delicious! Love the gluten free option!
Lindsay Cotter recently posted…Quick Cranberry Goat Cheese Gluten Free Crostini
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you! Of course our waffles are almost always gluten free. Often they were just buckwheat but we use blends more often and switch things up. Cup 4 Cup makes the best but it has milk powder and while I don’t have any issues I’ve been trying to use their other blend but it has so much flax and other grains liquid needs to be adjust or recipe tweaked just for that flour so more liquid is a simple quick fix.
Chrissy
I just bought a huge bag of cranberries! I have a waffle iron and so wish I could make beautiful waffles like this. I’ll have to break it out and give it a try again because this recipe looks/sounds great.
Chrissy recently posted…5 QUICK & EASY HEALTHY BREAKFASTS FOR THE BUSY MOM
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you Chrissy! Let me know if you try it what you think. Of course the syrup is delicious on any waffles if you have a fav. ๐
Alicia Pope
I am so excited to try these! with coconut whip cream I’d be in pure heaven.
awhiskandtwowands
They’re a real treat!
Elizabeth DiBurro
Love, love, love the idea of cranberry syrup! I bet it goes perfectly with the waffles. Thanks for the recipe.
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you! I love cranberries and syrup… of course it would go with any waffles or pancakes, or even ice cream. ๐
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
These waffles looks to-die-for. And the photos are so pretty.
Best,
Chrystal
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate recently posted…Butcher Box Review
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you Chrystal! They’re a real treat.
Mikki
I am sooo going to make these! I love that they have simple ingredients. They look amazing!
Mikki recently posted…How To Make This Thanksgiving a Healthy One
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you Mikki! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
amanda -runtothefinish
I’ve always worried that if I got a waffle maker it would just be on of those things collecting dust, but you have me rethinking this because I want to leap through the screen and eat these!!
amanda -runtothefinish recently posted…You’re Never Too Slow, Old or Fat
awhiskandtwowands
Haha thank you Amanda! We lived without one for months, and months. I thought after awhile past did we really want one. Than I thought of how much I loved them on the weekends and all the memories of them growing up and had to go buy one.
Alisa Fleming
These waffles look amazing and the ingredients are so intriguing! I’ll be keeping an eye out for that Chai drink.
Alisa Fleming recently posted…Frosted Pumpkin Bars
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you Alisa! You can use any Chai concentrate as well which is what I usually do. I like Gray Duck Brunt Sugar and Ginger as it’s delicious and also local (at many stores and Whole Foods here so might be where you are). Of course Tazo and other bigger brands make chai if you don’t have a favorite or local one you want to try.
Gluten Free With Emily
I have a friend who loves Chai everything so she would be so into these. The cranberry sauce sounds amazing and the perfect compliment to these waffles!
awhiskandtwowands
If she really loves chai she might just use all concentrate and not the almond milk to really get the flavor. The cranberry syrup is so good on so many things!
Laura
Saw this on instagram today! I LOVE that cranberry syrup! I’ve used many other fruits to make syrup but not cranberries! Definitely need to try!
Laura recently posted…Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
awhiskandtwowands
Thank you! Yes you can use it on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and it even can be used in cocktails/mocktails!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
Send me some waffles, stat! These look soooo good. What a unique addition with the chai!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Fashion Friday- Pink Tunic, Suede Boots & Pearls
Rebecca | NOURISHED. the blog
These waffles look amazing!! I love the GF and vegan options too. I got a waffle maker as a wedding present and I swear it’s been my favourite kitchen gadget! Can’t wait to try these!
Emily
These look absolutely delightful. I love waffles so much, and I’ve never thought of making a chai version.
Emily recently posted…WIAW: Why I Love Intuitive Running and Eating
kimmythevegan
This is the breakfast dreams are made of. Glorious fluffy, perfect waffles. I don’t actually have a waffle iron… I am a notorious “quick” breakfast person. Smoothies, quick cook quinoa flakes and overnight oats are where it’s at. But you’re reminding me that I used to make nice, big Sunday brunches a couple of times a month not so long ago. I should get back to that. These sound like the perfect thing to start with. I bet I can borrow a waffle iron ๐