Pumpkin Waffles with Honey-Orange Syrup and Toasted Pecans
Bring the cozy flavors of autumn to the table with these spiced pumpkin waffles, sweetened with molasses and brown sugar. Top them with a homemade honey-orange syrup thickened with orange zest, and finish with a generous sprinkle of toasted pecans. It is a warm, inviting breakfast that is perfect for crisp morning gatherings.
Serves: 4-6 | Total Time: 25 minutes till they're ready
Ingredients
Waffle Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
Waffle Wet Ingredients and Pecans
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup molasses
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted, ½ stick
- 2 ounces pecan pieces, about ⅓ cup
Honey-Orange Syrup
Instructions
- Preheat a waffle iron.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, milk, molasses and melted butter.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together. Ladle the batter into the waffle iron in batches.
Honey-Orange Syrup
- Place the honey and orange juice into a small saucepan.
- Add ½ cup water and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce reduces, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce.
- Simmer the sauce until it thickens, about 1 minute more.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and orange zest. Keep the syrup warm.
Assemble and serve
- Toast the pecans in a skillet over medium high heat. Slide onto a board and coarsely chop.
- Serve the waffles with a pat of butter, a drizzle of warm syrup and a sprinkle of toasted nuts.
The full recipe lives in the Vault
Ingredients, step-by-step method, and every chef-tested detail are reserved for members of the Estate Registry.
Join the Estate RegistryStrolling the fresh markets in autumn means you are sure to find a variety of squash from mini to large. When you come across a "pie pumpkin" you've hit the jackpot. These are about 6 to 8 inches in diameter, and sweeter than their jack-o-lantern cousins. Cook them as you would a butternut squash.
Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Roast in the oven until soft, about 45 to 60 minutes at 375°. Remove the skin and place the pumpkin into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to puree. Now you have home prepared pumpkin to use in your pumpkin waffles, pumpkin donuts and even in my very favorite pumpkin risotto.
There are a plethora of waffle irons in the market place. I still have the one given to me at my wedding. Don't laugh – it works. My new favorite is a space age Belgian Waffle maker; it has special features, like an indicator light, that lets cooks know when an optimal temperature has been reached.
My waffle maker is truly amazing, and can be yours too, for less than you'd expect. If you're fond of waffles on lazy Sunday mornings, make sure you outfit your kitchen with a non-stick waffle maker, preferably one with advanced heating technology.
The Heart of the Table
These golden waffles fill the home with the comforting scents of cinnamon and ginger, bringing an instant feeling of warmth and comfort. The bright, citrusy syrup and crunchy pecans add a touch of festive cheer that makes everyone feel cherished.
The Art of the Host
- a small, hand-glazed ceramic syrup pitcher with a drip-free spout
- a seamless, high-heat resistant silicone spatula in a soft slate grey
- a flexible stainless steel slotted turner with a walnut handle
- a fine-blade microplane zester with an ergonomic soft-grip handle
- a solid copper balloon whisk to perfectly aerate ingredients
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Stack the waffles high on a vintage cake stand, letting the warm honey-orange syrup cascade down the sides, and scatter toasted pecans over the top.
- THE POUR: A spiced chai latte with almond milk, or a cup of hot apple cider garnished with a cinnamon stick.
- THE VIBE: Covered Veranda. Surrounded by colorful autumn leaves, the morning air is crisp, and the warm steam from the waffles creates a cozy haven.