These brown butter sourdough waffles get most of their rise from the baking powder and egg but all of their flavor from the sourdough starter and brown butter! They are fluffy inside and crispy outside.
I had a love affair with brown butter a few years ago. It seemed to go so well in everything from wine sauce for lobster ravioli and braised baby turnips to shortbread cookies and banana muffins. In fact, I think I have shared six or maybe even seven muffin recipes with brown butter! It's so good, y'all!
When I was looking at ways to add more flavor to a waffle batter, I suddenly remembered my old love. The reunion was sweet! Brown butter adds a lovely subtle flavor and I think it also helped the waffles cook up crispier on the outside.
Brown Butter Sourdough Waffles
My sourdough starter is 100 percent hydration meaning that whenever I add an amount of flour to feed it, I also add an equal weight of water. If your starter is thicker, you may need a little extra milk to thin the batter to a good consistency for waffles. All ingredients should be at room temperature so the butter doesn't harden up again before you can whisk the batter. This recipe make 6-7 Belgian waffles.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons or 42g unsalted butter
1/2 cup or 120g sourdough starter discard (unfed), at room temperature
1 cup or 240ml milk, at room temperature, plus a little extra if your starter is thick
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup or 125g flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Canola or other light oil for greasing the waffle iron
To serve:
Your favorite syrup
Butter
Method
Brown your butter in a small pan, over a medium flame, watching it carefully as after it has completely melted and stirring occasionally. It will take a few minutes but the milk solids will separate out and start to brown.
When the butter has become a light copper color, remove the pan from the heat, pour the butter into another vessel and set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, sourdough starter, milk and egg until well combined
Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt, and continue to whisk until smooth.
If the batter seems too thick, add more milk as needed to thin out the texture.
Preheat the waffle iron and lightly brush it with the oil.
Ladle your waffle iron manufacturer’s recommended amount of the batter into the waffle iron making sure not to overfill! My first two are always a little smaller than they could be because I’m afraid to overfill and make a mess.
After that, I get braver!
Cook for 3-5 minutes - or as long as recommended by your waffle iron manufacturer - until golden and crisp. My waffle iron has a light that turns on and off to let you know when it has preheated sufficiently and when the waffles are cooked. Very handy! That said, I usually leave mine in just a little bit longer for extra toasting.
Keep the waffles warm in a low oven as you cook each batch but if you like them crispy, do not cover with foil. This will cause them to soften from the trapped steam.
Serve warm with the syrup of your choice and more butter, if desired.
Enjoy!
Today for Sunday FunDay, we are celebrating Candlemas, that date on the Christian calendar when baby Jesus was first presented at the temple. The tradition is to make and eat crepes or pancakes, a custom attributed to Pope Gelasius in the 5th century who offered galettes to the pilgrims who came to carry candles in processions to mark the 40th day after Christmas.
But, according to Sortir á Paris, it also has origins in pagan festivals. "In those days, Candlemas referred to the fertility of the earth. Farmers used to bake crêpes with surplus flour from the previous year. With their round shape and golden color, pancakes symbolized light, sunshine and the return of fine weather."
Whatever the reason, Christian or pagan, I'm always up for making batter for crepes or pancakes and today our host Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm said waffles are fair game too! Check out the great recipes we are sharing today.
- Food Lust People Love: Brown Butter Sourdough Waffles
- Amy's Cooking Adventures: Lefse
- Our Good Life: Pancake Puffs
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Roasted Vegetable Crepes
- Karen's Kitchen Stories: Sourdough Pancakes
- Culinary Cam: Strawberry Japanese Soufflé Pancakes
We are a group of food bloggers who believe that Sunday should be a family fun day, so every Sunday we share recipes that will help you to enjoy your day. If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join.
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