Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (2024)

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Warm spices, brown sugar, and molasses make this gingerbread waffles recipe festive and perfect for Christmas brunch or breakfasts all holiday season long.

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (1)

For those of you who love the flavor of gingerbread and want an excuse to be able to eat it for breakfast, this waffle recipe is for you!

These waffles are crispy outside, fluffy inside, sweetened with molasses and brown sugar, and aromatic with gingerbread spices. And to make them extra special, we whip up a quick homemade spiced cranberry syrup to drizzle on top.

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (2)

They're full of festive flavor, but don't wait for Christmas morning to make them! Gingerbread waffles are lovely for a holiday brunch, or you can meal prep them and freeze them for a quick breakfast all winter long.

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (3)

In This Article

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients Explained

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

Spiced Cranberry Syrup Ingredients

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (4)
  • Water - or you can use apple juice, apple cider, or orange juice
  • Fresh cranberries - frozen cranberries will work fine too
  • Sugar - granulated white sugar
  • Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves - these warm spices add a ton of Christmasy flavor to our cranberry syrup; if you don't have all these spices on hand you can just use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon instead
  • Salt - just a pinch of salt enhances the flavor

Gingerbread Waffles Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter - or you can substitute with 4 tablespoons of a neutral-flavored oil, such as canola oil or vegetable oil
  • Milk - I use whole milk, but you can use any type of milk you have on hand
  • Light brown sugar - this is our main sweetener; brown sugar adds rich notes of molasses and caramel
  • Molasses - for true gingerbread flavor, we add molasses in addition to brown sugar
  • Egg - acts as a binder and helps with the perfect texture
  • Vanilla extract - for depth; you can omit the vanilla in this recipe if you don't have it on hand
  • Flour - all-purpose flour is the base of our waffles
  • Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves - this blend of warm spices creates a warm gingerbread flavor and mirrors the spice blend we use in the cranberry syrup; if you like the peppery bite of real gingerbread, feel free to add ⅛ teaspoon black pepper as well
  • Baking powder and baking soda - leavening agents that help create the perfect fluffy waffles
  • Salt - a natural flavor enhancer

Instructions

How to Make Cranberry Syrup

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  1. Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let it cook for 10 minutes.
  2. After that, lightly mash the cranberries with a potato masher, leaving some whole.

How to Make Gingerbread Waffles From Scratch

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (6)
  1. Whisk together the butter, milk, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, salt, baking soda, allspice, and cloves.
  2. Whisk to combine and be careful not to over-mix, a few lumps are fine.
  3. Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray the inside with nonstick cooking spray or brush it with coconut oil or clarified butter. Add the waffle batter.
  4. Cook until crispy.(Your waffle iron's instructions should say what setting to use to reach your desired level of crispness.)

Make Ahead

You can make gingerbread waffle batter and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days before making waffles. The flavor develops, and the waffles are even better if you let the batter rest at least overnight in the fridge.

This is another reason why this recipe is perfect for holiday mornings; you can whip up the batter the night before (or a couple days before), and just cook up the waffles in the morning of the big day!

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Storage

Once they're cool, store waffles wrapped in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When I freeze waffles, I like to wrap each in freezer paper and place them in a plastic zip-top freezer bag. That way you can thaw them one serving at a time for weekday breakfasts.

Another way to freeze waffles is to flash-freeze them. To do so, arrange the waffles on a baking tray so they're not touching, and pop them in the freezer until they're frozen solid; after that, put them into a plastic zip-top bag in the freezer. Because they're pre-frozen (aka flash-frozen), the waffles won't stick to each other and you can just grab them out one at a time as you need them!

Reheating

There are a few different ways you can reheat waffles:

  1. Air fryer. The air fryer is my favorite way to reheat waffles because they get really crispy. I reheat them at 375F for about 4 to 5 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
  2. Oven. The oven is another good method for reheating waffles. To do so, preheat the oven to 350F, put the waffles in a single layer on a baking tray, cover with foil, and reheat until warm, about 10 to 15 minutes. (This method is my preference when I'm reheating multiple servings).
  3. Microwave. The good old trusty microwave will also work for reheating waffles! Personally, the microwave is not my favorite method because the waffles lose their crispness. The flavor is still delicious though!
Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (9)

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe FAQs

What Can You Add to Waffles?

There are so many different things you can add to waffles, either in the batter or on top when you're serving them.

Here are a few ideas of what you can mix into the batter of these festive gingerbread waffles:

  • Up to 1 cup of peeled and diced apple
  • Up to ⅔ cup of milk, dark, or white chocolate chips
  • Up to ⅔ cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans

And here are some different things you serve on top of these waffles when you're about to serve them:

  • Cranberry syrup (I include the recipe for cranberry waffle syrup along with the gingerbread waffles recipe in the recipe card below)
  • Sugared cranberries
  • Warm maple syrup or spiced brown butter maple syrup
  • Lingonberry jam
  • Powdered sugar
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate chips
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What Pairs Well with Waffles?

Waffles are great on their own for a quick breakfast, or served as part of a larger brunch with other dishes. Here are a few ideas of what to pair with waffles for a special brunch:

  • Scrambled eggs (or eggs cooked any way you like)
  • Breakfast meat, such as bacon or sausage (this chicken breakfast sausage recipe is a favorite here!)
  • Potato hash or hash browns
  • Fruit salad
Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (11)

More Gingerbread Breakfast Recipes Perfect for Christmas Morning

  • Gingerbread Scones
  • Gingerbread Muffins
Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (12)

Let's Connect

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (13)

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Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (14)

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup

By: Faith Gorsky

Warm spices, brown sugar, and molasses make this gingerbread waffles recipe festive and perfect for Christmas brunch or breakfasts all holiday season long.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American

Servings 5 servings

Calories 487 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Spiced Cranberry Syrup:

Gingerbread Waffles:

Instructions

For the Spiced Cranberry Syrup:

  • Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let it cook for 10 minutes. After that, lightly mash the cranberries with a potato masher, leaving some whole. Set aside.

For the Gingerbread Waffles:

  • Whisk together the butter, milk, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, salt, baking soda, allspice, and cloves, and whisk to combine (be careful not to over-mix, a few lumps are fine).

  • Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray the inside with nonstick cooking spray or brush it with coconut oil or clarified butter. Add the waffle batter and cook until crispy.

To Serve:

  • Serve the waffles along with the spiced cranberry syrup to drizzle on top.

Faith's Tips

  • Make-Ahead: These waffles are even better if you make the batter the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight before making it into waffles. You can make the spiced cranberry syrup up to 2 weeks ahead and store it covered in the fridge.
  • Storage: Once the waffles are cooked and cooled, you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: If you have an air fryer, this is my favorite method for reheating waffles because they get nice and crispy. I reheat them at 375F for about 4 to 5 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. Otherwise, you can also reheat waffles in the microwave.
  • Recipe Yield and Serving Size: My waffle maker makes 4-inch square waffles, and I get exactly 10 waffles out of this recipe, which is 5 servings with 2 waffles per serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup

Amount Per Serving

Calories 487Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Trans Fat 0.4g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 63mg21%

Sodium 537mg23%

Potassium 519mg15%

Carbohydrates 89g30%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 57g63%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 423IU8%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 176mg18%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword Gingerbread Waffles, Gingerbread Waffles Recipe

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Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (15)
Gingerbread Waffles Recipe with Cranberry Syrup (2024)

FAQs

How to make waffles crispy in waffle maker? ›

7 Life Saving Tips to Make Crispy Waffles
  1. Bring the Eggs to Room Temperature.
  2. Grease the Waffle Iron With Cooking Spray.
  3. Melt the Butter.
  4. Add a Tint of Liquor to Your Baking.
  5. Use Buttermilk.
  6. Ran Out of Buttermilk? Try an Alternative.
  7. Bake Them in the Oven for That Crisp Finish.

Can pancake batter be used in a waffle maker? ›

To make waffles using pancake mix, you may need to add additional ingredients such as oil, eggs, and milk to achieve the desired texture and flavor. It is also recommended to follow the instructions on the pancake mix package and adjust accordingly for waffle-making.

What can I put on waffles instead of syrup? ›

  1. Fruit compotes like cherry or blueberry.
  2. Fresh strawberries or raspberries with cream or ice cream.
  3. Nutella or other chocolate spreads.
  4. Crispy streaky bacon, scrambled eggs.
  5. Ham, cheese, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes etc. ...
  6. Banana, ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce for waffles.
May 21, 2019

What can I add to waffle mix? ›

  1. Bacon! ...
  2. A handful of blueberries or other small or sliced berries.
  3. Miniature chocolate chips. ...
  4. Miniature cinnamon chips. ...
  5. Peanut butter (about 1/4 cup peanut butter for every cup of flour). ...
  6. 1/2 cup cocoa with 1/3 cup sugar.
  7. 1 cup crushed pineapples (drained well); top finished waffles with whipped cream and coconut flakes.
Aug 20, 2014

What's the secret to crispy waffles? ›

Of course, you can substitute whole grain flours like whole wheat or spelt flour, but expect them to be a little denser. Cornstarch is our secret ingredient for making the crispiest waffles. Cornstarch guarantees that the waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender.

What is the secret to making good waffles? ›

Add cornstarch.

If you're making waffles with baking powder and baking soda, adding cornstarch to the mix will get you waffles that are crisp on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside. Because waffle recipes vary, start with ¼ cup and work in as much as ½ cup to get the desired effect.

Should waffle batter be thicker than pancake batter? ›

Pancake recipes also include leavening agents. However, certain pancakes will be flatter and resemble crepes. Consistency has to do with how thick the batter is. Waffle batter is thick, and pancake batter is thin.

Why add egg to waffle mix? ›

By whipping extra air into the egg whites, you can create a light and delicate foam that carries that air into the waffle batter. When the batter is light and airy, so are the waffles.

Is complete pancake and waffle mix the same as Bisquick? ›

While pancake mix and Bisquick share many ingredients, the two are not the same. The main difference is that the pancake mix is sweeter. Most pancake mixes can be used in place of Bisquick and vice versa in sweet recipes. Compare your pancake mix with Bisquick's ingredient list before swapping.

What is the healthiest syrup for waffles? ›

In moderation, pure maple syrup is a better option than pancake syrups filled with high fructose corn syrup. It contains antioxidants and a lower glycemic index, which may be better for blood sugar control.

What happens if you use milk instead of water in waffle mix? ›

The milk in your waffles acts as a binding agent and adds a level of richness that you just can't obtain with water alone. That's not to say that you can't substitute water for milk in waffle recipes and you likely have at some point — you'll still end up with waffles.

Is Karo syrup good on waffles? ›

Karo® Pancake Syrup offers a golden brown color with a delicious maple flavor, making it a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast and biscuits.

What is in Middleton waffle mix? ›

Ingredients: WHEAT Flour (contains: Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Maize Starch, Sugar, Butter MILK Powder, Buckwheat Flour, Raising Agents (E341(I), E500), Salt, SOYA Flour, Dried Whole EGG Powder, Flavouring.

What is in Middleton Foods waffle mix? ›

Product Detail

Ingredients:Wheat Flour, Corn Flour, Buttermilk Powder, Sugar, Buckwheat Flour, Raising Agents (E341, E500), Dried Whole Egg, Soya, Salt, Flavouring.

Is there a difference between pancake mix and waffle mix? ›

Pancake and waffle mixes are not the same thing. Although they both contain eggs, flour, milk, and a raising agent, waffle batter is typically thicker, has more sugar, and more fat, such as oil or melted butter.

How to make waffles crispy in waffle maker reddit? ›

Increase volume of oil in batter and/or brushed on the waffle iron. If there is a low amount of fat, you're essentially boiling and not frying the waffles making them crispy. Don't increase by a tablespoon but by a significant amount, like a quarter cup for a full batch of batter.

Does oil or butter make waffles crispy? ›

When you compare the two, one of the best ways to get the waffles to crisp up perfectly with a golden crust is to use oil instead of butter. Though butter tastes better, and you can always smear some on top to add flavor, oil will give you the best texture.

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