German Apple Cinnamon Waffles

 German Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Breakfast is by far, one of my favorite meals of the day! These spiced German Apple Cinnamon Waffles are a great way to start a relaxing weekend while sipping on a cup of hot milk tea.  The mouth-watering scent of cinnamon, apples and butter while these fluffy treats are cooking, are simply irresistible.  The moment they come off the waffle iron, its likely they won’t make it to the breakfast table!  There is no denying that apple combined with cinnamon somehow screams “comfort”.  

 

To offer a very shortened version of the history of waffles, it is said that the earliest “form”, or rather, ancestor of the waffle really dates back to ancient Greece, where the name given to the flat cakes they produced were called Obelios [1].  From there, similar cakes cooked between 2 iron plates eventually spread around Europe.

 

The first waffle recipe to have been recorded, was said to date back to the 14^thcentury, in medieval France and the 2^nd recorded recipe was then found in the 16^thcentury, in a Dutch manuscript (a fact Caroline should be most proud of!), that further developed the original recipe with the addition of sugar and spices. [2] By the 18^th century, the Germans began elaborating the recipe by adding different of flavorings, as well as actively publishing waffle recipes. [3][4]

 

The variety of waffles that exist today are endless, therefore making it relatively difficult to choose which recipe to make.  I hope I can make your decision easier!  I tried German Apple Cinnamon Waffles for the first time when my German friend (a brilliant cook!), Bianca, invited me to her home for tea several years ago.  I was immediately addicted!  This is a rendition of the recipe she initially gave me.  She uses the thinner heart shaped waffle iron; however, I use the rectangular shaped one with deeper pockets. Either one works perfectly well!   

 

As I tend to prefer moist waffles, compared to the crispier Belgian waffles, this recipe produces a fluffier result. 

Recipe – German Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Ingredients:

 

o  2 medium-sized apples

o  500 g all-purpose flour

o  2 tsp baking powder

o  300 ml milk

o  250 g softened butter

o  200 g sugar

o  1/8 tsp salt

o  1.5 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

o  5 eggs (room temperature)

o  1.5 tsp vanilla 

o  2 tbsp oil for greasing the waffle iron

o  Confectioner’s sugar for added sweetness / decoration

 

Method:

 

1)    Grate the apples into a medium sized bowl.  Set aside.

2)    Pre-heat the waffle iron.

 

3)    In another medium bowl, sift flour and baking powder and whisk to combine. Set aside.

 

4)    Crack eggs into a separate small bowl and reserve.

 

5)    Using a hand-held or stand mixer, in a large bowl cream the sugar and softened butter together until pale and creamy.

6)    Gradually add eggs, one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing well between each addition.  Scrape down the bowl with a spatula from time to time.

7)    Using a cup, begin adding 1/3^rd of the flour/baking powder to the butter/sugar/egg mixture, mixing until most of the flour is incorporated.  Then add ½ of the milk and continue to mix. Add another 1/3rd of the flour, mixing well before adding the last bit of milk, also until incorporated.  Finish by adding the remaining flour and mix until flour is no longer visible.  

 

8)    Add the cinnamon, vanilla essence and salt to the batter, mixing to incorporate.  

 

9)    Finally fold the grated apple into the batter (it will have turned a little brown, but this will not affect the aspect or flavor, as the waffle will be browned once cooked).  

10) Using a silicon/heat-proof pastry brush, lightly grease the waffle iron as needed.

11) Depending on the size of your waffle iron, use a ladle to spoon 1 to 1.5 ladles of batter onto the waffle iron and close.  I use the Black+Decker waffle iron, that does not have any heat adjustment option.  I cook my waffles for about 4-5 minutes.  Please refer to your waffle maker instructions for cooking times.  

 

12) Once cooked through, remove with a pair of tongs and top with confectioner’s sugar, cooked apple, whipped cream or topping of choice.  As it already contains sugar it can actually be eaten entirely on its own, with no added sweeteners.   

I hope you enjoy these waffles as much as I do! Guten Appetit!! En Guete!! 

 

Gastronomically yours,

 

Pia 

REFERENCES:

[1]  https://www.thekitchn.com/from-wafers-to-cones-a-short-h-113627

[2] "Gemüseverkäuferin", Pieter Aertsen, 1567, Stiftung preussischer Kulturbesitz – Staatliche Museen, Berlin

[3]  Johanna Katharina Morgenstern-Schulze (1785). Unterricht für ein junges Frauenzimmer, das Küche und Haushaltung selbst besorgen will, Volume 1. p. 310.

[4] Stettinisches Kochbuch für junge Frauen, Haushälterinnen und Köchinnen: Nebst einem Anhange von Haus- und Wirtschaftsregeln. Keffke. 1797. p. 371.