Pumpkin Waffles

Some things are worth a little extra effort. These waffles took a bit more than I would typically put out for waffles.  It used lots of bowls and I even had to beat egg whites. How dare a recipe ask such things of me?  Well, the yummy pumpkin goodness and warm spice mix make the extra effort well worth it.  We had this for dinner and I thought I had gone to heaven at 7pm on Tuesday night. 

The best part is that the recipe made two gigantic waffles from our machine.  Mr. J and I split one for dinner along with some eggs and bacon of course.  The second will be my breakfast in about 30 minutes topped with almond butter, bananas, and chia seeds.  I cannot wait.  These will be made again.  Soon.  I am thinking some ice cream would be a perfect topping.  Cinnamon perhaps?

Pumpkin Waffles
Ingredients:
1/4 cup light brown sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and warm

Directions:
1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil, and set it to the desired temperature.

2. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together to break apart the cornstarch. Add the remaining dry ingredients, and whisk to blend.

3. Separate eggs: yolks go in a medium sized bowl and whites get set aside in a smaller bowl.

4. Add pumpkin and milk to the egg yolks. Whisk to blend and set aside.

5. Whip egg whites with a hand mixer on high until stiff peaks form – about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Set aside.

6. Pour melted butter into the pumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

7. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A little lumpiness is fine. That will smooth out when the egg whites are added.

8. Slide the whipped egg whites out of the bowl and onto the mixture you just prepared. Gently fold them in until no white bits are obvious.

9. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter and wait for the beep.