Dessert Ideas Using a Belgian Waffle Iron

Do you like dessert? Most people love something sweet now and then, so here are some ideas for using waffles to make tasty dessert dishes. To do it up right, start with making your own Belgian waffles at home. There are several types of Belgian Waffle Irons such as a Flip-style or Classic style to choose from. Brands such as Chef's Choice, Cuisinart and Black and Decker make great waffle irons within everyone's budget range. Once you select and purchase a Belgian Waffle Iron, then it is time to experiment with different toppings to turn your waffle into a dessert.

The flip-style waffle iron such as the Waring Pro Professional Belgian Waffle Maker and the Oster Flip Belgian Waffle Maker mimic the waffle irons found in restaurants. They are easy to use and cook waffles evenly on both sides. Both brands come with indicator lights to let you know when your waffle maker is ready to use and an adjustable timer to guarantee the perfect crispness of your Belgian waffle. If you prefer the classic style, the Presto, Cuisinart and Villa Nova make excellent Belgian Waffle Irons. Cuisinart makes a professional style waffle iron that produces waffles that are square instead of round. The square or rectangle shapes make great dessert waffles using ideas such as adding ice cream, putting in the freezer to set and eat as an ice cream sandwich.

There are many, many ways to eat waffles, so experiment with some of these suggestions or make up your own. One of my favorite ways to eat a waffle is to spread a generous portion of peanut butter on a hot Belgian waffle until it melts and gets gooey. Then take maple syrup, add a touch water to thin it down and heat in a saucepan on the stove or in a glass pitcher in the microwave until it is piping hot and then pour over the waffle coated with peanut butter. Thinning the syrup causes it to be absorbed into the waffle easier, like marinating it. It also thins the peanut butter a bit which helps it go down easily. Peanut butter and maple syrup mixed together is a taste that is out of this world.

Another way I like to eat my wafflesis with nuts or chocolate chips mixed into the batter before baking. Adding chopped walnuts or sliced almonds gives the waffles a distinct nutty flavor which blends with maple syrup or other toppings such as fresh berries and whipped cream. If you want to be a little more creative with flavors, consider tossing dark or white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or even small candy pieces such as M & M's or mini Hershey kisses.

If you are brave, purchase a waffle cone maker and make your own waffle cones right at home. Once you get the hang of rolling a hot waffle around the rolling cone, you will get hooked on serving ice cream in waffle cones at home. Lastly, try topping with your favorite waffle with ice cream adding fresh blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, raspberries or blackberries and finish with a bit of whipped cream. Once you own your own Belgian Waffle Iron, the dessert creation ideas are endless. Just imagine sliced bananas on top of a slathering of peanut butter, wow!