It’s pretty easy to fall in love with Belgian Pumpkin Liège waffles. Liège waffles are tiny and rich made from buttery yeast dough with large pearl size sugar folded inside. The large pearls of sugar caramelize and form a delicious crunch to these, brioche-like, pumpkin spiced waffles.
It’s that time of year when I start adding pumpkin into everything I make. Why not Belgian waffles? Top with a maple whipped cream and speculoos. They are very rich and very addicting.
How to Make Pumpkin Liège Dough (yes a dough, not a batter)
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6- Add 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast to 1/2 cup lukewarm milk. Stir to dissolve. Set aside.
- Roughly cut up softened butter.
- Measure spices: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg.
- Add flour to a large mixing bowl, add spices and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and brown sugar. Stir together.
- Add butter to flour mixture. Mix until the butter is incorporated and has a sandy appearance.
- With the mixer running, add eggs, cooked or canned pumpkin, and milk/yeast mixture.
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3- Mix until the dough is smooth and pulling away from the sides.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and form the mixture into a rough ball.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
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6- Once the dough has risen for 45 minutes, uncover and add 1 cup pearl sugar.
- Mix only long enough to incorporate the sugar into the dough. Don’t over mix or break up the sugar.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and fold the dough over a few times to mix in sugar.
- Measure 1/2 cup of the dough and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or a silicone mat. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. If you want to have the dough ready for waffles first thing in the morning, at this point cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough overnight. Allow dough to set out at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Place just one portion of the dough into the center of the waffle iron. Cook until deeply golden all over, which will take approximately 3 minutes.
- Once the waffle is golden brown, remove from the waffle iron. **Warning: Once the sugar melts it is extremely hot. I use two forks to lift the waffle out. Getting the melted sugar on your skin is like dripping glue from a hot glue gun. It hurts!!!! Please be careful. Place the cooked waffle on a cooling rack to maintain the crisp outer crust.
Maple Whipped Cream
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- Meanwhile, prepare the whipped cream.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, mix together cream, pure maple syrup, and vanilla
- Beat until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Add a dollop of whipped cream and a scoop of speculoos. Savor.
Tips and Notes:
- Once the dough has been formed into individual waffle size mounds, place on a silicone lined baking sheet cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30-60 minutes prior to baking in a waffle iron. Which is so convenient to make a quick breakfast treat. Also, as the dough sits in the refrigerator it begins more fermentation which makes a more flavorful waffle with great texture.
- Instant yeast can be used. Just add the yeast directly into the flour mixture and pour the warm milk into the mixture as directed.
- Spices can be substituted with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Clean up can be a problem because all the wonderful sugar caramelizes and can stick to the waffle iron. If the waffle iron is non-stick, it cleans up easily with a damp cloth. Otherwise to clean waffle iron, use a spatula to remove any remaining bits of sugar while the waffle iron is still warm. You may use a damp cloth or paper towel and a soft utensil such as a silicone spatula to clean with the waffle iron.
- Pearl sugar can be purchased in some grocery stores or Amazon. As a substitute roughly crushed sugar cubes can be used.
Pumpkin Belgian Waffles
Liege Pumpkin waffles with pearl sugar. Topped with spiced whipped cream and maple syrup and a scoop of Speculoos or Biscoff spread.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
rise time 45 minutes
Total Time 58 minutes
Servings 11
Calories 410 kcal
Ingredients
Waffles:
- 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
- 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup pumpkin canned or cooked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup Belgian Pearl Sugar
Maple Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Speculoos or Biscoff Spread
Instructions
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Waffles:
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Add yeast to the lukewarm milk. Stir to dissolve the yeast then set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Add softened butter and mix until the mixture is a sandy consistency. Add eggs, pumpkin, milk mixture and vanilla. Mix until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes. Mix in pearl sugar and divide the dough into 1/2 cup scoops. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat. Cover while heating waffle iron. Once the waffle iron has heated place one scoop of the dough in the center of the iron. Cook for about 3 minutes depending on your waffle iron. Carefully remove waffle once the sugar melts it is extremely hot and can burn your fingers. Carefully lift waffle out with the aid of two forks. Top with maple whipped cream and a scoop of speculoos. Makes 11 Belgian waffles.
To make Maple Cream:
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Mix together cream, maple syrup and vanilla in a medium size mixing bowl. Beat until soft peaks form.
Recipe Notes
- Once the dough has been formed into individual waffle size mounds, place on a silicone lined baking sheet cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30-60 minutes prior to baking in a waffle iron. Which is so convenient to make a quick breakfast treat. Also, as the dough sits in the refrigerator it begins more fermentation which makes a more flavorful waffle with great texture.
- Instant yeast can be used. Just add the yeast directly into the flour mixture and pour the warm milk into the mixture as directed.
- Spices can be substituted with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Clean up can be a problem because all the wonderful sugar caramelizes and can stick to the waffle iron. If the waffle iron is non-stick, it cleans up easily with a damp cloth. Otherwise to clean waffle iron, use a spatula to remove any remaining bits of sugar while the waffle iron is still warm. You may use a damp cloth or paper towel and a soft utensil such as a silicone spatula to clean with the waffle iron.
- Pearl sugar can be purchased in some grocery stores or Amazon. As a substitute roughly crushed sugar cubes can be used.
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Belgian Waffles
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 410
Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 16g80%
Cholesterol 105mg35%
Sodium 280mg12%
Potassium 142mg4%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 1344IU27%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe previously posted in 2014. New photo’s, recipe card, and nutritional information have been added and updated.
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I have the dough made and in the fridge for Sunday morning, a question…do I grease the waffle iron?
I did this recipe last Sunday. I must say the taste is great. My kids left nothing on the plate for us.
Such a welcoming comment. You're kids have great taste. Thank you so much.
The taste is as awesome as it looks, as awesome as you have made them. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your kind comment.
Kaitlynn came home raving about your waffles. Is this the recipe you used tonight?
Yes and no. I used this recipe but didn't add the pumpkin or spices and used 3/4 c milk. Call me and I can give you the recipe.
What brand Waffle Maker do you use ??? DO u grease the waffle pan for each time ??? I am in love with your pictures and detailed post. Thank u 🙂
Roseann
Thank you for your kind comment, Roseann. My waffle maker is a Kitchenaid. It is a double sided waffle iron that can cook two at once. I love it. I purchased it over about 10 years ago from Williams-Sonoma.
Hi,
How come I haven't found your blog earlier??!! Well, you might be able to hear my ooohs and aaaahs crossing the Atlantic right now. I'll just convert to metric and then get started on your recepies. Fantastic pictures and easy to follow instructions.
Thank you!
Anna
Stockholm, Sweden
Hi Anna, you just completely made my day. I'm so glad you found me. I used to convert my recipes, but I was told me conversions were off. So sorry. I need to rethink the idea. Thank you so much for your kind comment.
Thanks, Kristen. They're killer.
These were amazing!!! I love your recipes!!!! Thanks so so much!!!!
Where did you get the pearl sugar? Is there a brand that you prefer? I am excited to make these.
I purchased my through Amazon. Lars Belgian Pearl Sugar. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Lars-Own-Imported-Belgian-Pearl/dp/B001LDAE4C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412689250&sr=8-1&keywords=lars+pearl+sugar
I have found it at local grocery stores in Utah. I hope this helps.
Looks so yummy!!
Thanks, Lori. They are amazing.