Cozy Gingerbread Waffles

Make a batch gingerbread waffles for cozy winter mornings! They’re sweet and spiced, topped with powdered sugar and a drizzle of syrup.

Gingerbread waffles

Ready for the best winter tradition? Make up a batch of these Gingerbread Waffles! There’s nothing cozier than the smell of ginger and cloves wafting through the kitchen. We’d rather eat our treats as breakfast than in cookie form, so we created this fun recipe which has turned into a December tradition. Slather them in almond butter and top with a little powdered sugar and maple syrup as a deliciously cozy breakfast treat!

Ingredients in gingerbread waffles

These gingerbread waffles are similar to our Perfect Waffle recipe, with a few added ingredients to bring in that gingerbread cookie flavor. They’re just sweet enough: the ideal sweetness for topping with another drizzle of maple syrup. Here’s what you’ll need to bring it all together:

  • All purpose flour and whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour makes a light and crispy texture, so make sure to grab it at the store
  • Baking powder and baking soda
  • Sugar
  • Spices: ginger, cinnamon, allspice and cloves
  • Molasses: this is the kicker; molasses gives warmth and depth to the gingerbread flavor
  • Butter
  • Milk of choice, either dairy or non-dairy like oat milk or almond milk
  • Eggs
Gingerbread waffles

Belgian waffles vs standard

You can use this gingerbread waffles batter to make either Belgian or standard waffles. Of course, it simply depends on your waffle iron! Our personal preference is Belgian waffles, since they’re thicker and look more impressive. (Here’s the Belgian waffle iron we use.) What’s the difference?

  • Belgian waffles are twice as large as regular waffles. They’re 1.5 inches thick with a deep grid pattern. One serving size is half of a Belgian waffle, since it’s double the size of a standard waffle. When serving, we like to break them apart into wedges.
  • Regular waffles, aka American waffles are about 1/2-inch thick. If you’re making a standard waffle, the serving size is 1 waffle.

Tips on cooking gingerbread waffles

For these gingerbread waffles, we tried a new method for cooking them that makes ruffled edges. We love the look of these: and you can make more waffles in a single batch! This may be our new favorite method moving forward. Here’s how to do it:

  • Ruffled edges: Simply use a little less batter in your waffle iron: about 2/3 cup for a Belgian waffle maker or ⅓ cup for a standard waffle maker.
  • Full circular waffles: Use a heaping 1 cup for a Belgian waffle maker or a heaping ½ cup for a standard waffle marker.

Of course, these quantities depend on the waffle maker: so eyeball it and adjust quantities as necessary.

Gingerbread Waffles

Toppings for gingerbread waffles

One thing we like about these gingerbread waffles? They’re just sweet enough but not overly saccharine. Make sure to add a drizzle of real maple syrup, required to accentuate the sweetness. We like to top them with nut butter to bring some protein to the breakfast and balance out the sweetness. It really makes them stick! Here’s how we recommend serving them, and then a few other ideas:

Gingerbread Waffles

More Christmas breakfast ideas

And that’s it: we hope you love these gingerbread waffles! Here are a few more treats that would work as Christmas breakfast ideas:

This gingerbread waffles recipe is…

Vegetarian.

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Gingerbread waffles

Cozy Gingerbread Waffles


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Make a batch gingerbread waffles for cozy winter mornings! They’re sweet and spiced: topped with powdered sugar and a drizzle of syrup.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon each baking powder and baking soda
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons each ground ginger and cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 3 eggs
  • Powdered sugar, maple syrup, and almond butter (optional), to serve

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined.
  2. In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, molasses, milk, and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until the batter is smooth.
  3. Preheat your waffle iron, then grease or butter it. Add the batter to the center of the waffle iron: use about 2/3 cup for pointed edges* or a little over 1 cup for a full waffle in a Belgian waffle maker, or use ⅓ cup or a little over ½ cup for a standard waffle maker.
  4. Cook according to the waffle iron’s instructions until golden brown: about 3 to 4 minutes depending on your waffle iron. Remove the cooked waffles and place them on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet without stacking. Make the waffles to order, or place cooked waffles in a 250°F oven to keep warm.
  5. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup; it’s also great with a slather of almond butter or other nut butter.  Makes 2 to 3 large Belgian waffles (which can you can break into pieces for serving) or 4 to 6 standard waffles.
  6. Storage info: We prefer the flavor of these waffles the day of making, but cooked waffles can be frozen if desired. Place them in a plastic bag and remove the remaining air with a straw before sealing. To reheat, remove from the freezer and lightly toast in a toaster.

Notes

*Using less batter makes a waffle with ruffled edges like the ones you see in the photo. Use more batter to make a full circular waffle. The amounts listed are approximate and depend on the waffle iron.

  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Waffles
  • Cuisine: Waffles

Keywords: Gingerbread waffles

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Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies

Talk about decadence, these brownie sandwich cookies are simply swoon-worthy, with a duo of fillings sandwiched between two rich, brownie-like cookies. They’re part cookie, part brownie, part chocolate truffle… and entirely delicious.

The cookies themselves are soft, chewy, and undeniably fudgy, with a silky smooth chocolate ganache filling and a hidden core of raspberry jam. The tartness of the raspberry counterbalances the richness of the chocolate ganache filling perfectly, resulting in an unforgettable sandwich cookie that you have to taste to believe.

Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Cookies, stack of cookies with one cut in half to show the fillings, with glass of milk and raspberry jam in the background.

Start your ovens, cookie season is upon us!

When I was developing my my stuffed Cosmic brownie cookies, I remember thinking that the soft, flat chocolate cookies (sans filling) would be perfect for sandwich cookies, filing away the though for later.

The recipe itself is nearly identical, just smaller and with the filling sandwiched between cookies rather than baked inside. I also added a pinch of espresso to the cookie base to further intensify the chocolate flavor.

The smaller cookies don’t spread quite as much as the stuffed versions (I’d have been ok if they had come out a wee bit thinner), but the cookie is so perfectly rich and fudgy that I really didn’t want to mess with it.

(more…)



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Roasted Vegetable Pasta

This easy vegetable pasta pairs spaghetti with colorful roasted veggies! It’s a healthy dinner idea for loading up on the good stuff.

Vegetable pasta

No matter how many healthy, easy dinner ideas we have in our repertoire, we’re always in need of another. Here’s our newest idea for loading up on good stuff: meet this Vegetable Pasta! It’s a combination between cozy comfort food and a vegetable-powered healthy meal, pairing roasted vegetables with bright marinara and Parmesan cheese. Here’s how to make it!

Elements in this vegetable pasta

This vegetable pasta is the best combination of loads of veggies and the homey feel of a great spaghetti marinara. For the veggies, we wanted to select colorful vegetables with peak nutrition. Here’s what you’ll need (though of course, you can substitute any of your favorite veggies):

  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Bell peppers (red and yellow)
  • Onion

This vegetable pasta is full of Vitamin C! Half of a bell pepper provides 84% of your daily vitamin C, and one serving of cauliflower has 77%: not to mention other nutrients and vitamins. It’s a great way to eat your veggies while slurping up a bowl of pasta. (See more at Bell pepper nutrition and Cauliflower nutrition).

Vegetable pasta

More vegetables to add

Many different types of vegetables work in this vegetable pasta recipe! You can add about another 8 ounces of veggies to the quantities in the recipe below. But keep in mind: the quantity is important. You’ll need to divide it all the veggies between two baking sheets without stacking them (otherwise the veggies steam instead of roasting). Here are some other vegetables that would taste great here:

  • Mushrooms (add 8 ounces to the other vegetable quantities below)
  • Brussels sprouts, cut in half
  • Sweet potatoes, chopped into cubes
  • Green beans
  • Asparagus
Vegetable pasta

Protein adders for vegetable pasta

This vegetable pasta recipe is a tasty dinner idea for when you want to infuse veggies into your life. But keep in mind: you’ll need to supplement it with some protein for a filling meal. Here are some ideas for what you can add, either in the pasta itself or on the side:

Tips for cooking pasta to al dente

The key to this roasted vegetable pasta recipe, outside of the veggies? Cooking the pasta to the perfect al dente. Al dente means “to the bite” in Italian: pasta that’s tender with a firm center. Overcooked pasta turns out rubbery and unappetizing: and it actually has less nutrients and makes you less full! Here are some tips on how to cook pasta to al dente:

  • Set your timer a few minutes before the package instructions indicate. The timing on many pasta packages makes for overcooked pasta. Start taste testing the pasta a few minutes before the package says to.
  • Taste test and look for small white fleck at the core. You want to catch it right when there’s a small white fleck at the core, or just when it disappears. Move quickly: pasta can go from al dente to overcooked in a matter of seconds!
Roasted vegetable pasta

Vegan variation

How to serve this vegetable pasta as vegan? There’s one easy swap: omit the Parmesan cheese or use this homemade Vegan Parmesan! It’s made with cashews, garlic powder and nutritional yeast, and it adds a nice boost of savory flavor. It’s not required here, but it does elevate the recipe.

More vegetable pasta recipes

There are so many tasty ways to add veggies to your pasta! Here are some great pasta recipes that make healthy dinner ideas:

This roasted vegetable pasta recipe is…

Vegetarian. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese or use Vegan Parmesan.

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Vegetable pasta

Vegetable Pasta


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This easy vegetable pasta pairs spaghetti with colorful roasted veggies! It’s a healthy dinner idea for loading up on the good stuff. 


Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower (2 pounds)
  • 1 crown broccoli (¾ pound)
  • 1/2 large or 1 medium sweet yellow onion
  • 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 yellow)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 cups favorite jarred marinara sauce
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, plus more for serving (omit for vegan or use Vegan Parmesan)
  • Optional: stir in 2 to 4 ounces soft goat cheese for a creamy sauce
  • Protein adders: Chickpeas, White Beans, Edamame, Vegan Meatballs, Chicken, or Sauteed Shrimp

Instructions

  1. Adjust the oven racks for roasting 2 trays. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Chop the cauliflower and broccoli into florets. Slice the onion. Slice the bell peppers into strips. Spread the vegetables evenly between the 2 sheets.
  3. Drizzle half of the olive oil onto each tray, then sprinkle with half the seasonings onto each tray. Mix the vegetables with your hands until evenly coated.
  4. Place into the oven and bake for 20 minutes (do not stir!). Remove the pans from the oven, rotate them, and roast another 10 minutes (for 30 minutes total) until tender and lightly browned.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Set the timer for a few minutes less than the package instructions and then taste: the pasta should be just done, still with some firmness. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. (If it’s done before the vegetables, toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.)
  6. To the pot with the pasta, add the marinara sauce, roasted vegetables, and Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Stir in goat cheese if using, and serve with a protein adder on the side or in the pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese.
  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Pasta
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Vegetable pasta, roasted vegetable pasta, vegetable spaghetti

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Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

This cranberry bourbon cocktail is sweet tart and complex, offset by orange and sweet vermouth. It’s a signature drink that everyone loves!

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Looking for a signature drink featuring cranberry and orange? Try this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail! It’s balanced, sweet tart, and complex, fruity with intriguing notes from sweet vermouth. Because it stars cranberry and bourbon it’s ideal for fall or winter entertaining, like Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas. But it works for any season and occasion! Add it to your list as a must-try winter or fall bourbon cocktail.

What’s in this cranberry bourbon cocktail?

This Cranberry Bourbon cocktail is beautifully balanced, with just the right amount of nuance from sweet vermouth. When we started developing this cocktail, we tried it as a cranberry Manhattan. It was slightly too boozy, so we kept the vermouth and added orange juice. It comes out sweet tart, with just the right amount of bourbon finish. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Bourbon whiskey
  • Sweet vermouth
  • Orange juice
  • 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
  • Simple syrup
Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Use 100% unsweetened cranberry juice

When making cranberry cocktails, we prefer using unsweetened cranberry juice. Try to find a bottle marked 100% juice, instead of cranberry juice cocktail, which is sweetened. Why?

  • Unsweetened juice lets you customize the sweetness to taste. The flavor of the cocktail tastes much more real when you use 100% juice and add back a bit of simple syrup. The flavor is much more tart than cranberry juice cocktail, which is sweetened.
  • Unsweetened juice has a brighter color. It makes the drink look vibrant and bright red.

If all you can find is sweetened cranberry juice, cranberry juice blend, or cranberry juice cocktail, omit the simple syrup or add it to taste.

How to make a cranberry bourbon cocktail

This cranberry bourbon cocktail is a simple shake and strain cocktail: simply place the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, and strain into a glass! Here’s what to do:

  • Place the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add the cranberry, orange juice, bourbon, vermouth, simple syrup to a cocktail shaker, add 1 handful ice, and shake until cold.
  • Strain into a glass. Any type of lowball glass works!
  • Garnish and serve. It’s nice to garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries. For the best presentation, use clear ice: it’s crystal clear ice that you can cut into large, organic shapes. Go to How to Make Clear Ice.
Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Make it pitcher style for 8 servings

Serving a crowd? You can make a pitcher of this cranberry bourbon cocktail! Simply add the following ingredients to a pitcher:

  • 1 ½ cups bourbon
  • 1 cup sweet vermouth
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
  • ½ cup simple syrup
  • 2 handfuls ice

Stir until cold! Then pour into lowball glasses. This would be a great presentation for Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas party.

More bourbon cocktails

This cranberry bourbon cocktail is an ideal for cooler weather! Here are a few more fall bourbon cocktails and winter bourbon drinks:

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Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This cranberry bourbon cocktail is sweet tart and complex, offset by orange and sweet vermouth. It’s a signature drink that everyone loves!


Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces* bourbon whiskey
  • 1 ounce sweet red vermouth
  • 2 ounces orange juice
  • 1 ounce 100% unsweetened cranberry juice**
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
  • For the garnish: fresh or frozen cranberries, rosemary sprigs

Instructions

  1. Place the bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange juice, unsweetened cranberry juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake until cold.
  2. Strain the drink into an ice-filled lowball glass. If desired, garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
  3. Pitcher variation (8 servings): Add 1 ½ cups bourbon, 1 cup sweet vermouth, 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice, and ½ cup simple syrup to a pitcher. Add 2 handfuls ice and stir until cold. 

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

**If all you can find is sweetened cranberry juice, cranberry juice blend, or cranberry juice cocktail, omit the simple syrup or add it to taste.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails

Keywords: Cranberry bourbon cocktail

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Chewy Chocolate Molasses Cookies

Chewy, chocolatey and perfectly spiced, these chocolate molasses cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie boxes. With a deep ...