These Apple Cider Waffles Are the Perfect Start to Your Fall Mornings

The only thing better than starting off an early, brisk autumn morning with a batch of waffles and a cup of apple cider is having your apple cider already in your waffles — duh. Or, if you're like me and hate getting up any time before noon, these waffles are perfect for brunch, a midday snack or midnight breakfast. You can even make a whole batch in advance to eat for for each, but who knows if they'll even last that long. This apple cider waffle recipe is going to knock your socks off not only for combing the classic taste of warm apple cider, but also going great with the (very under-appreciated) masterpiece that is cooked pears. 

Why pears? They're one of the few fruits that are fresh off the tree in time for October chills. Try to get either Anjou or Bartlett pears — they offer just the right amount of sweetness for an early morning indulgence. If you don't like pears, you can try a whole variety of other toppings, including maple syrup, butter, jam, browned butter, whipped cream, coconut whipped cream,  powdered sugar, fresh apples or even salted caramel. Yep, these waffles can handle them all.

Apple Cider Waffles With Cooked Pears

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:30 mins
• Servings:5
• Medium

Ingredients

• For Waffles:
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• teaspoon nutmeg
• teaspoon all spice
• dash ground cloves
• 2 large eggs separated
• 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups apple cider concentrate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For Pears:
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 medium pears such as Anjou or Bartlett
• 1/8 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Salt to taste

• Step 1

  Whisk together in a large bowl your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice and ground cloves. Set aside.

  

• Step 2

  In a different bowl, mix together egg yolks, vegetable oil, apple cider concentrate and vanilla extract. Pour into dry ingredients and mix together.

  

• Step 3

  Using an electric mix, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.

  

• Step 4

  Pour the batter onto a preheated waffle iron and cook under golden brown, about four minutes.

  

• Step 5

  Core and cut pears into bite-sized pieces while butter melts in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  

• Step 6

  Add pears and cook until softened, about three minutes. Add brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Cook until a light brown sauce forms.

  

• Step 7

  Pour pears over waffles and enjoy!