Warmly spiced and lightly crisp, Easy Gingerbread Waffles from Sally’s Baking bring all the cozy gingerbread flavor without the fuss — perfect for low-key holiday mornings. Best enjoyed slowly, maybe still in pajamas with a hot mug nearby, they’re the kind of simple, comforting treat that fits right into quieter celebrations and makes it easy to relax, reflect, and savor the season.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup (50g) light or dark brown sugar (I use dark)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) unsulphured or dark molasses (do not use blackstrap; I prefer Grandma’s brand)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 and 2/3 cups (about 400ml) buttermilk*
Optional Maple Pecan Topping
- 3/4 cup (90g) pecan halves
- 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) pure maple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the waffle maker on medium-high heat. Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet; set aside.
Make the gingerbread waffle batter: In a large bowl, preferably with a pour spout, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses together. Whisk in the eggs, and then the buttermilk until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until combined. Do not over-mix. Some small lumps are OK.
Grease the preheated waffle maker (I use nonstick spray). Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter into each well of the waffle maker (or less if your waffle maker is smaller) and close the lid. Cook the waffles until crisp, about 4–5 minutes. (Follow the cooking instructions for your waffle maker.) Transfer the cooked waffles to the wire rack and keep warm in the preheated oven as you cook the rest. Repeat to cook the remaining batter.
Meanwhile, as the waffles cook, make the optional maple pecan topping: Place the pecans in a saucepan or skillet set over medium-low heat. Toast the pecans for just about 4–5 minutes, stirring the whole time, because pecans can go from toasted to burnt in a matter of seconds. When they’re giving off a subtle toasty scent, turn the heat down to low and pour in the maple syrup. Leave it on the stove for just a minute, until the syrup is warmed through, and then remove from the heat.
Serve the waffles immediately with warm maple pecan syrup or your choice of toppings.
Notes
Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Waffles are best enjoyed freshly made. I recommend freezing any leftover cooled waffles. Waffles can be frozen for up to 3 months, then warmed in the toaster.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Mixing Bowls (preferably with a pour spout) | Whisk | Waffle Maker or Mini Snowflake and Gingerbread Waffle Makers | Saucepan (for optional maple pecan topping)
Buttermilk: You can substitute whole milk for buttermilk if desired. However, if you’d like the tangy flavor, which I highly recommend, you can make a DIY buttermilk substitute. Add 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup. Add enough milk to make 1 and 2/3 cups. Whisk together, then let sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe. Whole milk is best for the DIY sour milk substitute, though lower-fat or nondairy milks work in a pinch. Do not use nonfat milk.
Waffle Maker: You can use this recipe in either a Belgian or traditional waffle maker or iron. The suggested cooking time is just a suggestion. Follow the cooking instructions for your specific waffle maker.
Can I make these as gingerbread pancakes? Yes! No changes to the batter recipe. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Coat generously with nonstick cooking spray or butter. Once hot, drop about 1/4 cup of batter on the griddle. Cook until the edges look dry and bubbles begin to form on the surface. Flip and cook on the other side until cooked through, about 2 more minutes. Coat griddle/skillet again with cooking spray or butter for each pancake or batch of pancakes.
Other Topping Suggestions: Lemon curd; whipped cream; sugared cranberries; dusting of confectioners’ sugar, sifted
