For a long time, I avoided making Liege waffles. When I researched the type of waffle maker used at Bruges, I realized the cost of a commercial griddle was out of reach for me, especially since I only make waffles occasionally.
I wondered if I would be able to achieve the same crispy outside and soft inside found when I purchased a waffle- hot off the cast iron griddle found at Bruges? I purchased the Pearl Sugar, essential when making a proper and traditional Liege waffle recipe.
But the package of Pearl Sugar sat unopened for a couple of years because I was afraid my little waffle maker wasn’t up to the task of properly cooking a Liege waffle…
Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the Lars Belgian Pearl Sugar surfaced in my pantry again, and I knew I had to tackle this recipe once and for all and see if it could be made on my trusty Belgian waffle maker.
Let me preface this with- once in a while, I make a recipe a dozen times and it just doesn’t turn out quite the way I want, so it never gets published. And once in a blue moon, I make a recipe the first time and it is exactly everything I hoped for!
My friend Janalee told me she uses the recipe on the back on the Lars Belgian Pearl Sugar Package with great results. I took a look and made a few changes. I felt like the butter could be reduced, and the dough could use bit of sugar (yes, even though it already had 8 oz of pearl sugar added).
Also, the addition of a little more salt and vanilla seemed essential to me. The stars aligned and guess what? I can’t imagine a better copycat of our favorite Liege waffle found at Bruges, made in the waffle maker I’ve been using for years. . Many thanks to Janalee for sharing this recipe!
I think you’re going to absolutely love our Liege Waffle Recipe! It’s perfect for parties, brunches, dessert and really, almost any type of celebration. The waffles may be made ahead and stored in the freezer or refrigerator.
The dough is so simple to mix up. The use of a stand mixer, such as Kitchenaid or a Bosch makes this recipe so easy to throw together.
A assortment of toppings listed in the recipe are just a start to the endless possibilities of accompaniments to this Liege Waffle Recipe!
If you’d like to give these as treats, let the waffles cool completely and either leave plain or drizzle with dipping chocolate and let cool completely again.
When completely cooled, place in a cello bag and tie with a string for a yummy home made gift. Gifting this with the recipe printed out and my favorite waffle maker is the perfect wedding, birthday or Mother’s Day gift!
Liege Waffle Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 12 tablespoons melted butter
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 8 oz Belgian Pearl Sugar
Toppings
- Sliced strawberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, Nutella, Whipped Cream, Powdered sugar.
Instructions
- Sprinkle yeast and sugar over warm milk in bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast begins to foam.
- Add 2 eggs, melted butter and whisk together with fork.
- Add 3 cups flour, salt and vanilla to yeast and milk mixture. Mix on low with dough hook until mixture is smooth. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour and mix on low for 2 minutes.Place in a warm location, covered for 30 minutes.
- After dough has risen, fold 8 oz of Belgian Pearl Sugar into dough using a large spoon or by hand. Divide dough into pieces about 3-4 oz each. You should have 9-10 balls of dough.
- Preheat waffle iron for 10 minutes before cooking dough. Generously grease waffle iron using cooking spray. Cook one piece of dough at a time, placing dough in middle of waffle iron, close and cook until outside is crispy and center is cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on heat level and waffle iron used. Watch carefully, as sugar will burn if cooked at too high temperature.
- Lay cooked waffles on a wire rack while cooking remaining dough. May be kept in warm oven (225 degrees) until ready to serve, or serve immediately with toppings.
Notes
- To clean waffle iron, use a spatula to remove any remaining bits of sugar while waffle iron is still warm. You may also use a damp cloth or paper towel at the end of a silicone spatula to clean.
- Pearl Sugar is found at kitchen stores such as Orson Gygi in SLC, William Sonoma and online at Amazon.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!
Rosalie
These were so good. There was a great liege waffle restaurant in my town that unfortunately had to permanently close due to the pandemic so I was really missing these. I used a small ball of the dough to pick up burnt sugar from the iron in between each waffle, so it wasn’t even a big mess to clean up at the end. Highly recommend!
A Barlow
These are EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!! Followed the recipe EXACTLY!
Our Belgian cuisine night – Cuisine Night
[…] Liege waffles […]
ALlison
Do you use fast acting dry yeast or just active dry yeast?
Si Foster
Hi Allison,
I usually purchase SAF brand yeast, which is active dry yeast!Hope this helps!
xo
Si
Matt
Thanks for the recipe! Had to cancel a trip to Belgium last year due to covid so I had to make these and they were just like I remember from our previous trips. Thanks again.
Julie
These are the best waffles I have ever had!!!
I made the balls 3oz., refridgerated them overnight. Took them out to rest for half an hour before cooking them at 400 degrees for 5 minutes in a George Foreman grill.
I also made my own pearl sugar.
So simple, so good!!
Kristin Jenson
This was my first time making Liege waffles! I was excited at the prospect of the delicious waffles, but so nervous about how a “dough” waffle would turn out, and if my stand up waffle maker would cut it. I was thrilled with the outcome. Crispy/crunch on the outside and soft/chewy on the inside. Delicious. Another home run for Si! Can’t wait to make them again.
Yvonne
This recipe is amazing! Everything comes out great except I had to manually pull the pearl sugar chunk out as they were too sweet for our likings. Other than that, it’s the best recipe I had ever tried for Liege Belgium Waffle. Great dough mix. Thank you Si!
Jamie
Hello!
I was just wondering what type of yeast (dry active or instant) you used?
Matt
I used active dry and turned out great. I assume the recipe is for active dry as there is a proofing step which you could probably skip if you use instant yeast.
Andrew
These turned out great! For an even easier way to make them, I made the dough in our bread maker. First, all the wet ingredients, then the flour and dry ingredients, then the yeast on top. Set to dough setting, and add in the pearl sugar about 5 minutes before the end of the knead cycle. The dough came out perfect. Ideal cook time for me was identical to regular waffles.
Jennifer dong
Hi, do you think I can use gluten free flour to make these gluten free?
Maria
Hello! Do you think I
Could make this without a waffle iron? Would it be possible to make this using waffle molds (silicone) inside an oven? I’ve been wanting to try your recipe so baaad!
Si Foster
Hi Maria, I’m sure they would turn out great using waffle molds and baking them, I haven’t tried it that way though. Let me know how it turns out if you give it a try! Thank you for reading ABK,
xo
Si
Kate
I’m making these today for my French wife’s birthday! What type of milk works best in the recipe? Thanks!
Si Foster
Hi Kate, I usually use whole milk or 2%, thank you for asking and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Jamie
These were amazing! We also love going to Bruges, their fries are amazing too. Wish I knew how they made their creme fraiche!
Thanks for sharing!
Denise
If I could leave more than 5 stars I would. These are amazing! My kids look forward to the twice a year that we have them. I always order my sugar from amazon since it is otherwise a bit difficult to find locally.
Torrie
I don’t have a stand mixer, but really want to make these! Could I use a electric hand mixer, or would the dough be too sticky/unruly? Thanks in advance!
Gary peterson
Good recipe. Love Liege waffles. For more interesting toppings check the menu for “Off the Waffle”, a restaurant in Eugene, OR.
Gary
Si Foster
I will check it out, thank you Gary!
Si
Luciana
I made this recipe yesterday and it turned out great. I will probably tweak the amount of sugar next time, because it was a bit too sweet for our taste. It definitely reminded me of the delicious waffles we had in Belgium!
CYNTHIA
This recipe is a song! I made these for my husband’s birthday and the whole family loved them! For years, we have been trying to replicate the delicious Liege Waffles that we had in Belgium for our baby moon. This recipe brought us back to the streets of Brussels. The waffles were crispy & caramelized on the outside and soft & chewy in the inside. Also, I was a little intimidated about making yeast waffles; this recipe was reliable & approachable. I made two minor modifications. With the pandemic, I was unable to get pearl sugar or enough all purpose flour. I used crushed sugar and 50% all purpose flour & 50% whole wheat flour. This will be our new birthday tradition!
Safana
Does doubling the recipe affect the dough consistency
Caleb Betteridge
Just so you’re aware, these waffles originate from Bruges, Belgium. These are the true Belgian waffles sold on all the street corners in Belgium and they’re the best, but they don’t originate from Salt Lake City lol
Daniele
She’s referring to the Bruges Waffles and Frites shop in SLt Lake City. It’s owned by a gentleman named Pierre who was born and raised in Bruges.
Karen
So delicious. Ate them plain. Came out perfect. Bought Belgian Pearl Sugar on Amazon. Will definitely make again.
Si Foster
Thank you so much for sharing, Karen and I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
xo
Si
Shek ling
Hi,
Thanks for your sharing here. I have done a few times of Belgian waffle and not sure how the dough should be after mixing? Is it soft and oily or is it supposed to be like bread dough? Thanks
BR,
Shek ling
Betsy
Thank you! I have tried 4 different reciepes and this one worked AND they are even BETTER than my local coffee shop. ♡♡♡ I made 2 batches this morning for a picnic birthday in our yard…quarantine style. Wrapped them in bandanas and socially distanced. Beautiful!
Si Foster
I’m so glad to hear that Betsy, that’s such a cute way to wrap them! Thank you for sharing,
xo
Si
Jonathan
very good, but definitely had others that are better. incredibly difficult to mix the sugar pearls, and seem just a bit too dense. Perhaps shaping them, and then letting them rise another couple of minutes would have done the job?
Lisa Goldberg
My house was a little cold and the dough hadn’t risen much after 30 min. I went and did other things and came back to it having at least doubled. It was super easy to mix in the sugar. The dough was extremely soft and loose. I was actually surprised by how almost batter like it was. They came out amazing even on my ridiculous cheap captain America waffle iron. I love how EASY this recipe is. I’m going to make this all the time now. Thank you!
Si Foster
Lisa, so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and that it made it into your recipe rotation. Thank you for the positive feedback!
XO
Si
ayana
Thank you for this recipe! I absolutely love love LOVE Liege waffles, but I only have instant yeast at home! Can I substitute instant yeast for active dry in this recipe?
Si Foster
Hi Ayana, instant yeast should be okay to use in this recipe, let me know how they turn out! Thank you for asking and for reading ABK,
xo
Si
Jacki
These are gorgeous! I have been wanting to make liege waffles for ages but was too intimidated. This recipe was so easy and they turned out perfect. Thank you!!
Heather Nicholls
Hi! I read though the comments and couldn’t find clarity on instructions for freezing The dough— do you recommend freezing the dough After it’s Risen? Then let it thaw and rise again on counter when ready to cook? Or will they taste just as good freezing the waffles already cooked Up and just let thaw and warm up? Love this recipe thank you so much for sharing !
Bex
I have the same question! This recipe is amazing! Second time around I want to freeze dough balls for a big brunch to cook morning of. Do I freeze before letting them rise or after? Can I put in the fridge overnight or are they best just out of the freezer for an hour morning of use? TY!
Marge
Delicious and easy!!! I followed the recipe exactly and they were perfect!
Corbin Morgan
I’ve made these waffles three times and love them! I cut up sugar cubes in eighths as a substitute for the pearl sugar and cook four at a time on my waffle iron.
Si Foster
Love that idea to use sugar cubes as an alternative, Corbin! Thank you for sharing and for reading ABK,
Si
Amy B
About what size is each waffle when it’s cooked? They look on the smaller side. Can you make them in a regular size waffle iron?
Si Foster
Hi Amy, Yes, you can use a regular waffle iron. You will have a better result if you can use/borrow a Belgian waffle iron- I prefer the deep holes and the crispy texture it creates. Let me know how you like it!
XO
Si
Whitney Brailsford
This recipe is AMAZING! If tastes exactly like the waffles you get at your favorite liege waffle place! I found my pearl sugar on Amazon in case you can’t go out and about right now.
This is my second time making liege waffles. The first time I used a different recipe, but I do have to say they turn out MUCH better if you have a waffle iron that has different heat settings. The first time I made some I used a cheap waffle iron with one heat setting and the sugar didn’t quite melt, so there were big crunchy bits of sugar. When I made this recipe I used our All-Clad waffle iron and turned it to the highest heat setting. They cooked PERFECTLY!
I have also found that pouring some warm water on to the waffle iron directly after finishing cooking you waffles and closing the iron helps steam off the sugar. Once it’s cooled you can wipe it with a damp paper towel and it cleans super easily.
Si Foster
I agree, Whitney, the waffle iron makes a huge difference. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and thank you for sharing and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Molly
So so delicious!! And really easy to make, I found the recipe this morning and whipped them up this evening and they couldn’t be more perfect!
Arlene Haymond
This is one of my favorite recipes! It’s worth a few extra minutes and they freeze well. It is a hit every. Single. Time. 10☆
Michele G. Moynihan
Maybe it doesn’t matter,but can you clarify what type of yeast you used?
Active Dry yeast, Instant Quick Rise yeast, Fresh Active yeast? I don’t use yeast much to cook so I was surprised there were so many choices!
Si Foster
Hi Michele, I use active dry yeast, thank you for pointing that out!
xo
Si
Vanessa
Would it be okay to use instant yeast instead? If I do, do I need to change anything?
Si Foster
Vanessa, instant yeast should be okay to use in this recipe, let me know how they turn out! Thank you for reading ABK!
XO,
Si
Geter
This recipe was okay. I had to add an extra 2 Tbsp butter and cut back the granulated sugar by half. Then it was perfect!
Louise
Yummmmm……… I tried 2 different recipes. The first one required 2 hour rise on the counter and an over night rise in the fridge. It was very good. Then we made this recipe and it was exceptional and easier. Will definitely make it again. thanks!
vanessa
Hello what type of yeast do you use? Active dry? Instant? Thank you x
Si Foster
Hi Vanessa, I use active dry yeast, thank you for asking and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Jayme Young
Could you make the dough in the evening, refrigerate it overnight, and cook these first thing in the morning?
Si Foster
Yes, Jayme, I usually shape the dough into individual balls, wrap them, refrigerate overnight and then cook the next morning. Thanks for asking and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Sandy
Those were fantastic! We decided we would use less of the pearl sugar next time by simply rolling the dough balls in it right before we make each waffle. Was super easy to make and delicious.
Si Foster
Love that idea and I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sandy, thanks for sharing!
xo
Si
Amy
HI!
We are hosting a breakfast for dinner party this weekend. I too have a bag of pearl sugar in my pantry and a special request for these waffles. Can I prep the dough and place in the fridge until we are ready to make them? If so, please explain the process. Thank you for this post – it’s given me the confidence to attempt liege waffles!!
Si Foster
Hi Amy, yes you can make the dough ahead. Just place in the freezer in dough balls, covered. When ready to use just let sit on counter for an hour before cooking. Or you may cook and completely cool and then freeze until the day of serving. Hope this helps and thanks for asking!
xo
Si
Sarah
5 stars all the way!!! I went to Belgium for my first time last month and went crazy over their waffles. I was so excited to find this recipe— it was pure gold. I haven’t made many recipes with yeast so I was a little intimidated, but the directions were easy to follow and seriously the waffles were AMAZING! Definitely will be making again!
Si Foster
I agree, Sarah! This waffle recipe is so special and such a nice change up from the traditional waffle. Thank you for sharing,
xo
Si
Kara
I made these tonight for my family and they are SO GOOD! We put sliced strawberries and homemade whipped cream on top. The sugar is very hot, so don’t touch the waffles while you’re taking them out of the waffle maker (oops). Doubled the recipe and came home with only 4 waffles 🙂 I’ve been to Belgium and had real Belgian waffles and these are contenders!
Heather Mellor
Love these! I traveled to Belgium earlier this year and had been looking for a recipe to re-create the waffles I had over there. These were amazing!!
Lindy Kartchner
I absolutely LOVE this recipe. I’ve been using a different liege waffle recipe that was VERY time consuming. This recipe is perfect! Thank you for recreating my favorite waffle!
Lynette Siler
I’ve avoided making these as well, but more because of the clean up with the addition of the pearl sugar. Is the waffle iron harder to clean, and does the sugar burn on the iron? Thanks!
Matt
Oh it definitely burns on there. I have a Cuisinart Griddler with waffle plates and I’ve only used them a few times, so they are still really non stick. I also used butter and honestly the burnt on sugar wasn’t difficult to clean up. I sprayed with hot water and it dissolved right off. If your iron doesn’t have removable plates and isn’t very non stick anymore, clean up could be a challenge.
Katherine
Si,
Could I make the dough the night before?
Kumari
Si!
You nailed this recipe!! These turned out sooooo AMAZING!!!! (Like all your recipes do) We made these for Mother’s Day. The texture is perfect!!! We love Bruges and are so happy to be able to make them from home now!!! Thank you!!!
Si Foster
You’re very welcome, Kumari! Thanks for sharing and I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe as much as we have.
xo
Si
Joellen
I had these at a coffee shop on vacation and have been thinking of them since. I definitely never thought I’d be able to make them at home. These were perfect!! They were so simple to make but felt so fancy. I don’t have an expensive waffle maker but they still worked perfectly with my little cheap one. My husband said he likes them better than regular waffles, so I’ll definitely be making them again. Thanks, Si!!
Si Foster
I agree, Joellen, they’re a nice change from the traditional waffle and definitely fancier! Thanks for sharing and for reading ABK,
xo
Si
Katie Morris
We just made these tonight for our Mother’s Day dessert and wow!! So yummy! Reminded me exactly of Bruges! Thanks so much for sharing! Question, if I have leftover dough will it keep or do I need to make them all into waffles and save them that way?
Si Foster
Hi Katie, they will keep for a day or two, but it is best to freeze the dough and then let it thaw and raise before cooking. Or you can just cook all at once and freeze after cooking. Thanks for asking and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Lindy
We LOVE Bruges and LOVE liege waffles. Do you have a recipe or hack to duplicate their creme fraiche? I haven’t been able to recreate the same texture.
abountifulkitchen
Hi Lindy,
I don’t have one, but will post it here if I come up with a copycat! Thanks,
Si
Denise
These liege waffles are amazing! I’ll be making them often! Thank you, Si for all your recipe testing!
Si Foster
You’re very welcome, Denise, I’m glad you enjoyed them and thanks for reading ABK!
xo
Si
JennYO
Hi,
I would love to try this recipe. Are you able to provide measurements in grams and mls. I am in Australia and our cup measurements are different and we measure butter in grams.
Thanks
Jenny
Sara Gallup
I prefer to use metric and this KAF ingredients weight conversion chart has been very helpful: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart
Si Foster
Sara,
Thank you for sharing this. It is so helpful!
XO,
Si
Amber
I’m so excited to make these for my sons birthday party. When you freeze them ahead of time do you just let them defrost and serve or do you have to crisp them up again?
Si Foster
Hi Amber, I usually just let them defrost but you could put them in the oven for a few minutes if you prefer them warm. Thanks for asking and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Amber
Thanks for responding!