Pumpkin Waffles & Cranberry Apple Caramel

Talk about a true breakfast treat during the holiday season! These waffles are fluffy, spiced and oh-so pumpkin-y. And while caramel might ordinarily be a bit too sweet for your morning waffle, the tart cranberries and apples are a lovely Fall foil to the caramel syrup. These Pumpkin Waffles are a plate full of holiday flavor!

If you've got a house full of family on your hands, whip up a big batch of waffle batter and keep the caramel hot on the stove. As folks roll out of bed, they can cook up a waffle and spoon over the caramel. A make-your-own waffle bar at your leisure! Just like the local Hampton down the road but with infinitely better flavors.

Pumpkin Waffles & Cranberry Apple Caramel

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Apple Caramel

· 4 tbsp butter

· 2 granny smith apples, sliced thin

· ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries

· 1 cup brown sugar

· ¼ cup half & half

· Pinch of salt

For the Pumpkin Waffles

· 4 eggs, separated

· 1 ¾ cup buttermilk

· 4 tbsp butter, melted and cooled

· ½ cup pumpkin puree

· 2 2/3 cup flour

· 2 tbsp sugar

· ½ tsp salt

· ½ tsp baking soda

· 1 tsp cinnamon

· ½ tsp ground ginger

· ½ tsp ground clove

· ¼ tsp grated nutmeg

· Whipped cream

Preheat waffle iron.

For the caramel…in a small sauce pan melt the butter over low heat. Add the apples and cranberries. Once the cranberries begin to burst, add the brown sugar. Once the sugar begins to dissolve, stir in the half & half. Add a pinch of salt. Cook to thicken the caramel. Keep warm while making the waffles.

For the waffles… whip the egg whites until stiff. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter, and pumpkin puree. Sift the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and spices into the mixture. Fold until just combined.

Gently fold the egg whites into the waffle batter taking care not to deflate the whites.

Grease the waffle iron with butter. Spoon waffle batter into each well in the iron. Close the iron and cook per waffle maker instructions. The waffles should be ready once you no longer see steam coming off the top of the iron.

Spoon the cranberry apple caramel over the waffles. Serve with dollops of whipped cream.

Makes 8 4-in Belgian Waffles

Gluten Free Friendly!

I had greatest success with King Arthur gluten free flour blend.