Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Butter

I know.

I know what you’re thinking. Seriously, Kaylie? Gingerbread in March? Well, first of all, it does NOT feel like March. It feels somewhere between the end of April (for a half a second) and the middle of January (for too many days in a row). And now it’s all windy – basically, the weather can’t make up its mind and it’s kind of annoying.

Actually, my friend picked this out. Every month, my friends and I have a ‘girls night.’ And the other night went from standing in the kitchen having a couple margs and talking about life to us all squished into the couch next to each other getting head scratches. It was a success, to say the least.

Then, the next morning, I handed my friend a waffle cookbook and she picked out this one. “Fall is my favorite time of year,” was her response. I guess that’s valid. And I took one look at that maple butter and was on board.

I’m not sure why I’ve never made my own butter concoctions. The only time I use butter is for baking and maybe the occasional quesadilla (butter > Pam for quesadillas, in case you were wondering). I never stick it on pancakes or waffles, or spread it onto bread unless I’m treating myself at a restaurant. But that is about to change folks. Butter is the new black.

She whipped up the maple syrup + butter magic while I sleepily combined the waffle ingredients. This was my first time using the waffle maker – my boyfriend has made the waffles every other time we’ve had them – and I was terrified it was going to open while I was flipping it or something. But. It didn’t. And it was a delicious success, and I am officially naming butter as ingredient of the year.

Gingerbread Waffles with Maple Butter
Recipe from Waffles: Sweet and SavoryRecipes for Every Meal

Maple Butter:
3 tbsp butter, slightly softened
3/4 tbsp maple syrup
Pinch of cinnamon

Waffles:
3/4 c plain almond milk
1 egg
1/4 c butter, melted
1 tbsp molasses
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 c white whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tbsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of gloves

1. Whisk together butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Refrigerate until waffles are ready.
2. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, melted butter (wait until it’s cool!), molasses, and vanilla. Whisk together.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Create a well in the bowl, then add in the milk mixture. Stir until mostly smooth with just a few lumps.
4. Pour batter into waffle maker. Depending on your waffle maker, it should make 1 1/2 – 2 waffles.
5. Top with maple butter. Nom.