Liège Waffles
 
Authentic liège waffles with pearl sugar, served here with sour cherry sauce and red fruit. Recipe modified from the work done here and here.
Ingredients
For the waffles:
  • 50g water, warmed to 105°F-110°F (41°C-43°C)
  • ¾ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 25g brown sugar
  • 15g honey
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¾ teaspoon coarse salt
  • 290g flour
  • 155g butter, room temperature
  • 130g pearl sugar (do not use standard granulated sugar)
Method
Prepare the waffles:
  1. Stir the warm water, yeast, brown sugar, and honey together in the bottom of a mixer bowl. Let rest about five minutes.
  2. Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
  3. Add the flour and, using the dough hook attachment of a stand mixer, mix on the lowest speed until a ball of dough forms. You will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl every few minutes.
  4. Add the butter, about one tablespoon at a time with the mixer still running. Add the next piece of butter only when the previous piece has been fully incorporated. This may take about 30-45 seconds per addition and will require you to scrape down the sides of the bowl. While this step is mildly irritating, the results are worth it!
  5. Once all the butter has been added, continue kneading with the dough hook attachment for five minutes.
  6. Cover the bowl and let rise at room temperature for four hours. Place in the fridge to chill overnight, up to 24 hours.
  7. Remove the bowl from the fridge and mix in all of the pearl sugar, which will seem like a lot. Depending on how big you'd like the waffles to be, divide the dough into portions/balls/mounds. This recipe makes about eight palm-sized waffles.
  8. Place a mound into the waffle iron and cook until nicely browned, probably 3-5 minutes on medium heat. Despite the temptation, do not remove waffles with your hands. The melted sugar is very hot. Also, note that these are far better fresh but if you are not eating them right away you may keep them warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven. You can also warm them up at that temperature later for 5-7 minutes before eating.
Recipe by IronWhisk at http://www.ironwhisk.com/2017/07/liege-waffles/