Gingerbread Waffles

      Warm gingerbread waffles...mmm, there are few things better on a cool spring morning. Most people think that gingerbread is a fall/winter flavor and it is, except when paired with waffles. You will want these waffles throughout the year because they are that good. These gingerbread waffles have fresh ginger in them, which gives them a kick. They taste like dessert, but they are actually much healthier than a bowl of cereal. I love recipes like this!

      These waffles use "home" spices, at least that is what I call them. You know; the spices that make the air smell like you just came "home", they have this comforting smell. Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and molasses...wait until you smell these.

     I make a double batch of these waffles on the weekend. What we don't eat fresh, I freeze. They reheat perfectly, crisp on the outside and a soft, spongy inside. Gingerbread waffles make a perfect breakfast on weekday mornings when life is too crazy to make waffles. Toss the frozen waffles in the toaster for a minute or so and they taste and smell, just like they did when they came off the waffle iron. I feel great about giving Bean a whole grain waffle to start his day at school. 

    One last note these waffles can be eaten with butter, syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream or plain. They taste sweet enough that Bean and I eat them plain without any accompaniment besides a 'green' drink.

Gingerbread Waffles

adapted from Isa Chandra Moskowitz - Vegan Brunch

2 cups milk (soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, dairy)

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 cup brown sugar (I use Xagave, brown sugar is wonderful)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

2 3/4 cups whole grain flour blend (or  use 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Preheat the  waffle iron. In a bowl, whisk together milk, vinegar, oil , molasses, Xagave (brown sugar) and vanilla. Mix until the molasses is mostly dissolved. Mix in the grated ginger. Add the dry ingredients and mix together until smooth.

Oil the waffle iron or spray the waffle iron with cooking spray and cook waffles according to the manufacturer's directions.

Serve warm plain, with butter, syrup or powdered sugar.