I can’t get enough of these homemade Belgian sugar waffles. The dough is incredible and the pearl sugar makes the waffles taste amazing. Sometimes I don’t even add any toppings they are that good!
Belgian sugar waffles, also known as Liege Waffles, originated in Belgium and are made with yeast dough instead of batter. I was first introduced to them here in Arizona. A company called Waffle Love had a food truck dedicated to serving waffles. My friends and I went and got one, and I was hooked after the first bite. I was used to traditional American-style Belgian waffles. And I still love those waffles, but these sugar waffles are next level!
Since then more and more waffle trucks and companies have popped up here in Arizona as these waffles are getting more and more popular here. Maybe I should start a food truck! They are easy to make if I can do it you can do it, let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather the ingredients and tools
In order to make these amazing Belgian sugar waffles you will need the following ingredients and tools:
- All-Purpose flour – Also known as plain flour in other countries.
- Yeast – I typically use active dry yeast, but instant or rapid-rise yeast will work as well.
- Milk – Whole milk is amazing in this recipe but other milk may be used as well.
- Butter – We will be using quite a bit of butter which will make the dough that much better. I use unsalted but salted butter will work as well.
- Eggs – The eggs will help with the structure of the waffle as well as add moisture and texture to the finished product.
- Salt – Just a bit of salt to balance out the sweetness of the waffle.
- Vanilla extract – This will add flavor as well as enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Pearl Sugar – Pearl sugar is the star of Belgian sugar waffles. It is a refined white sugar that is very coarse and doesn’t melt at normal temperatures. You are left with some nice sugar chunks in the waffle, which is absolutely delightful. It is a very common ingredient in Scandinavian countries and some countries in Europe.
Tools
- Waffle iron – You really want a waffle iron with deep pockets.
- Wooden spoon
- Bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs or fork
- Dough cutter or knife
- Plastic wrap
Step 2: How to make Belgian sugar waffles
Begin by starting the yeast. Heat up the milk to 100 F to 110 F (40 to 44C). I normally just heat it up in the microwave, but a pot on a stovetop will work as well. Then add in the yeast.
Let the yeast mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy. After 10 minutes the yeast isn’t foamy, then start again. The yeast is probably bad or old or maybe the milk was too hot or too cold.
After using all the ingredients the last thing you want is for the dough to not rise, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Step 3: Eggs, butter, and vanilla time
Once the yeast has been activated add in the vanilla extract and eggs and whisk those ingredients together. Next, add the softened room-temperature butter.
I normally use a wooden spoon for this, but a stand mixer will work too, especially if you are going to use the dough hook to knead the dough.
Step 4: Complete the Liege waffle or Belgian sugar waffles dough
In a separate bowl whisk together the salt and the flour. Then add the flour a little bit at a time incorporating it into the dough.
Keep adding the flour until when you press on the dough it doesn’t stick to your finger.
Step 5: Knead that sugar waffles dough
Place the dough onto a surface and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes. Add more flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the surface or your hands. Or you may use a stand mixer with a dough hook too if you like.
Once the dough has been kneaded, add it to a bowl that has been sprayed with kitchen spray or lightly oiled.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and place it in a warm place or dough proofer to rise for an hour or until doubled.
Step 6: Add in the Pearl sugar
Now add the pearl sugar to the dough. Knead the dough for a minute or two to make sure the pearl sugar gets incorporated throughout the dough.
Next, cut the dough into 8 equal pieces using a dough cutter or a knife. If you shape the dough into a log it is easy to get the same size pieces. Shape each piece into a thick disc.
Step 7: Cook those Belgian sugar waffles
Heat up your waffle iron and spray it with cooking spray. And then place one of the sugar waffle dough pieces onto the waffle iron.
If your iron has a heat setting, set it to medium heat. If it doesn’t have a heat setting, just keep your eye on it so it doesn’t get too brown.
Make sure to use tongs when getting the sugar waffle off of the iron. The melted sugar on the waffle is extremely hot.
When the waffle is completely golden brown remove it from the iron and serve it warm. You can eat them plain or add traditional waffle toppings like strawberries, whipped cream, maple syrup, etc. Enjoy!
What is your favorite way to eat a waffle? Drop a comment down below and let me know. 🙂
How long do Belgian sugar waffles last?
Store uneaten sugar waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for a few days. Or you can freeze them and they will last a few months.
Can I make Liege Waffles without pearl sugar?
Pearl sugar is definitely the best thing to use for these waffles, but if you can’t find any, you can take sugar cubes and break them up into pieces.
Here are a few more recipes you may like:
German Pancakes (Dutch Babies)
Belgian Sugar Waffles (Liege Waffles)
Equipment
- Waffle Iron
- Wooden spoon
- Bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs or fork
- Dough cutter or knife
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour 420g
- 2 1/4 tsp. of active dry yeast 1 packet of instant yeast will work too (7g)
- 3/4 cup of warm milk 1%, 2%, Whole, etc. 100 to 115 F. (177mL)
- 8 ounces or 1 cup softened butter (226g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp. salt 2g
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract 5ml
- 1-8 oz bag of Pearl Sugar 225g
Instructions
- Begin by starting the yeast. Warm the milk to 100F – 110F (40 to 44C). Then add the yeast. Allow it to foam, it will take 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add in the vanilla extract and eggs. Whisk them together until well combined. Then add in the softened butter and mix.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the flour and the salt. Then slowly incorporate the flour with the other ingredients. Eventually, the dough will form. Keep adding and mixing the dough until it isn't sticky to the touch.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes. Or use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Cover the bowl of dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and add in the pearl sugar. You may or may not want to add the full 8 ounces, sometimes I only use about 6 ounces of if. Knead the pearl sugar into the waffle dough for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and then shape them into thick discs. Heat up the waffle iron and spray it with kitchen spray. If you have a temp setting set it to medium heat.
- Add some waffle dough to the iron and let the waffle cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it is nice and golden brown. Be careful the melted pearl sugar will be super hot! Use tongs to remove the waffle. Serve with your favorite waffle toppings or eat it plain. Enjoy! 🙂
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Do you like this recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
Can you pre-make the dough – overnight?
Hello, yes you can after it rises, place it in a ziplock bag or bowl with a lid in the fridge and then you can use it the next morning. Just take it out about 20 minutes before you want to use it, so it isn’t so cold.
These are pretty good. They do take a bit of work, and this is my first time trying to make them, but they turned out well. I’m certainly not up to the quality of some of the spots in Belgium, but this definitely brings me back. My yeast wasn’t activating right away so I put my container in a warm water bath to help things along. That also wasn’t really working out, so I just went for it and made it anyway. And it rose perfectly. Since my house is fairly chilly, I also put it in the oven at 170F and then turned the oven off to let it rise. It took about 50 mins for it to double.
Definitely a recipe I will be trying again.
Nice, Kati! I am glad you tried them out and liked them. I am happy your yeast wound up working. Usually, if mine doesn’t get foamy after 10 minutes I throw it out and start again, or use different yeast. haha. I hate going through the effort and ingredients, only to not have the dough rise.
Thanks for sharing it!
Question: will it work if use half of the ingredients? I am trying many recipes and I don’t want to use the full servings size 🙂
You are welcome! Sure you can halve the recipe if you like. 🙂
Hhhaaaaa….isn’t there a substitute milk I can use, in place of dairy?
Yup! you can use almond milk or soy milk in these. 🙂
Wow! I had been looking for one of these recipes. They look delicious!
Awesome! Glad you found it, Elisha! 🙂
I havent actually tried baking, but I love to try this one.. They look yummy and so simple to do. Thank you for sharing!
You are so very welcome! 🙂
Might just have to get my waffle maker out tomorrow and give these a go
Hahaha yes!
My son loves waffles but sadly I couldn’t buy a waffle maker. Let me see how soon I can buy one and make some waffles for him. Thanks for the recipe will save it.
You are so very welcome! 🙂 🙂
Thanks for another great recipe! I’ve never heard of pearl sugar before, I will have to see if any of my local shop sell it as it sounds like a great ingredient to use.
You are so very welcome, Ivana! 🙂
This is absolutely my favourite and thanks a lot for the easy recipe! I am planning on making a lot at home these days – Knycx Journeying
You are so very welcome! Glad you like it!
This is wonderful. We loved these waffles when we were in Brussels last summer. So nice you can make it at your home and don’t have to go anywhere.
Thank you! 🙂
Have I told you how much I enjoy your blog?
You always make it seem so easy and effortless to cook, that inspires me a lot 🙂
Thank you so much, Ann, that means a lot to me. 🙂
I love waffles. I love them with ice cream/maple syrup/choco syrup. You make it sound so easy to make. Thanks!!
You are welcome!
They must be good if you can enjoy them without toppings. I like waffles.
Indeed!
I really need to get a waffle iron so I can attempt those delectable looking waffles.
Definitely get one! 🙂
I’m desperate to try these waffles. Everybody is making a big deal out of them and if you are telling me that you don’t need toppings on them… You just convinced me that they are that good.
You definitely need to try them, Jessica! 🙂
These waffles are my new favorite thing. They taste so amazing. What a treat.
Thank you, Laura! 🙂
Matt! They were fantastic! We are such a fan of waffles and used all the toppings for these! SO GOOD!
So glad you made them and liked them, Eden!
I’ve never seen waffles like this….made with a yeast dough instead of a batter. They look amazing and I can’t wait to try them!
They are popular here where I live, there are waffle food trucks! haha They are yummy for sure!