Cooking Through Cultures: Norwegian Waffles

We love to make a big family breakfast on the weekend, especially during the summer when we can eat outside on the porch and indulge in pancakes & eggs or bacon & biscuits. Recently, my dear friend – who grew up in Norway – sent us this Norwegian waffle recipe after she heard about our 30 days of trying 30 foods experiment.

Waffles are eaten in all of the Scandinavian countries, but they have a special place in Norway. Apparently, waffles are just as important to Norwegians as the croissant is to the French. They are ever-present in this beautiful country – sold at cafés and restaurants and made at home everywhere.

In Norway, waffles are served as dessert, and are typically heart-shaped – but these have become a weekend breakfast staple in our house … and we use our trusty old square waffle maker. These waffles are much richer and thicker than typical American waffles and the secret ingredient: Cardamom! It provides a very subtle flavor (my girls don’t even notice it but that may be in thanks to the whipped cream and strawberries with which they cover their waffles). My husband Brad and I love the subtle cardamom flavor – it feels just a bit exotic.

Here is the recipe from my friend Cecilie – and maybe you can make these a new family tradition in your home too:

Norwegian Waffles (Makes about 10)

Ingredients:

• 3 ½ oz. butter
• 4 eggs
• 3 tablespoons sugar (original recipe calls for 4-5, but 3 is fine)
• ½ teaspoon Cardamom (we add a bit more)
• 2 cups flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups milk

Melt the butter. Combine butter in a bowl with remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Let the batter rest for around 15 minutes. It should be the texture of a thick sauce. If too stiff, add a little cold water. Bake on a greased hot waffle iron.

We serve our waffles with syrup, whipped cream and fresh fruit, but the Norwegians recommend serving warm with jam and sour cream or cold waffles with good butter and brown goat cheese!

P.s. They freeze beautifully too, so we often make a double-batch and then pop in the toaster during the week!

Please let me know if you try this recipe & happy breakfast adventures!