Churro Waffle Sticks

This may be one of the most satisfying waffles I've made. Completely debatable as to whether or not this is more dessert than breakfast. Which is perhaps why they are so crave-worthy. But I'm not judging. Clearly.

I've tweaked my recipe for The Ultimate Waffle to read more like a churro, adding a bit of orange zest and nutmeg. To make for a more dense, churro-like texture, I nixed the added hassle of whipping egg whites. Simply crack the eggs into the batter. So not only are they tasty, they're super easy to pull together!

As the waffles come off the iron, they are immediately sliced into sticks and get the quintessential churro treatment - a quick toss in cinnamon sugar!

And while you could stop there, don't. The hot chocolate sauce comes together in minutes and completes the perfect sweet bite.

Churro Waffle Sticks

Ingredients

For the hot chocolate sauce

·       ¾ cup half & half

·       ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips

·       ½ tsp instant espresso powder

·       ½ tsp vanilla extract

·       Pinch of salt

For the waffles

·       2 eggs

·       1 cup buttermilk

·       1 cup milk

·       ½ cup vegetable oil

·       1 tbsp vanilla extract

·       1 tsp almond extract

·       Zest of an orange

·       1 ¾ cup flour

·       2 tsp baking powder

·       ½ tsp baking soda

·       ½ tsp salt

·       ½ tsp nutmeg

·       Butter

For the cinnamon sugar

·       ½ cup sugar

·       ½ tsp cinnamon

For the chocolate sauce… heat the half & half in a small saucepan over low heat. It should begin to steam, but not boil. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate chips, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until the chocolate is completely melted. If too thick, add another splash of half & half. The chocolate sauce should be completely smooth and easy to drizzle. Keep warm while preparing the waffles.

For the waffles… Preheat waffle iron.

In a large bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, milk, oil, extracts and zest. Sift over the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Stir until just combined – the batter will be thick and a bit lumpy.  

Grease the waffle iron with butter. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the waffle batter into each well in the iron. Close the iron and cook per waffle maker instructions. The waffles should be ready once you no longer see steam coming off the top of the iron.

For the cinnamon sugar… while the waffles cook, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.

Immediately once the waffles are cooked, cut into sticks and toss completely in cinnamon sugar. This must be done while the waffles are hot otherwise the cinnamon sugar will not stick.

Serve waffle sticks alongside a small ramekin of the hot chocolate sauce.

Makes 8 4-in Belgian Waffles

Gluten Free Friendly!

Use Cup4Cup in place of the flour.