Famous for its chocolates and beers, Belgium also lays claim to Brussels sprouts and Belgian waffles: this week’s obsession…
What distinguishes Belgian waffles from other waffles is its larger size, lighter batter (a result of using yeast batter instead of pancake batter), and higher grid pattern which forms deep pockets: the better to hold silky, rich chocolate sauce or the juice of sweet strawberries and whipped cream.
Culinary factoid: the waffle was introduced by Maurice Vermersch of Brussels, Belgium and was originally called Brussels waffles, but Vermersch decided to change the name to Belgian upon observing the poor geographical skills of Americans.
Enjoyed singly or shared with friends or family – people from all walks of life seek out the crisp-on-the-outside, light and airy on the inside, plain, dusted with powdered sugar or swathed in gooey sweetness, Belgian waffle.
They can hardly make them fast enough for the crowds of hungry waffle lovers 🙂
Waffles stands and cafes abound in Brussels and we found ours around the corner from the famous Manneken Pis – a surprisingly small bronze statue surrounded by multiple legends of its origins, visited by thousands of tourists daily, and dressed in costumes, painstakenly culled by the Manneken Pis historical society.
I’ll be posting more recaps of my time in Amsterdam and Brussels and the Bike/Barge adventure next week.
Have a great weekend 🙂
Patti
May 13 at 11:21 amNow this is what I’m talkin’ about – I hope you sampled each and every one.
Chris's Gourmet Fashion
May 13 at 1:49 pmThose waffles look heavenly. Thanks for the history too 🙂
Tanantha
May 13 at 4:32 pmI am DROOLING!
Angie's Recipes
May 13 at 9:12 pmLove Belgium waffles….very popular here in Germany too.
rebecca
May 15 at 3:42 amyum love Belgian waffles and bet they taste so much better there
sippitysup
May 15 at 5:57 amI enjoyed Brusseld when I was there, but somehow I never had a Belgium Waffleon the trip. What’s wrong with me? GREG
Faith
May 15 at 10:05 amBeautiful pictures, I’m happy you had such a wonderful time in Brussels, Priscilla! The Belgian waffles look to-die-for!
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet }
May 15 at 2:10 pmNow that is a waffle with all the fixings! Looks like you had a great time. Great photos and can hardly wait to read more about your adventures! 🙂
Victoria @ Mission: Food
May 15 at 2:42 pmI love Belgian waffles, but never realized that traditionally they use yeast. I think all the American Belgian waffles I’ve had have been made with pancake batter! I”m glad you had such a lovely trip. Look forward to reading more 🙂 Wish I could afford to take a nice vacation right about now, haha!
Erin
May 16 at 9:52 amThose look beautiful! Great pictures, I am sure they tasted even better! What a great trip!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
May 16 at 10:45 amwow what a wonderful picture, love every one of them, can’t wait for more!:)
Now those waffles look amazingly tasty!!! Thanks for sharing dear, and have a wonderful Monday!
Kim
May 17 at 7:48 amOK, I need to go see that statue for myself – the story behind it is hysterical. You should have dressed him up with a waffle!
And, those waffles are GINORMOUS. The toppings are twice as much mass as the waffle themselves!!!
[K]
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May 17 at 12:12 pmI love belgian waffles and brussels sprouts!
I love your photos!
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May 17 at 1:16 pmAww I remember that square in Brussels! I totally forgot about the waffles! I mostly remember the beer, chocolate and mussesl + frites! What a fun trip, I hope you had a good time. My friend and I actually got stuck in Brussels train station and got locked in cause we missed the last train back to Paris. LOL
Sara
May 17 at 3:46 pmI love Belgian waffels. They are so fluffy and airy. Oh now I’m nostalgic 🙂
5 Star Foodie
May 17 at 6:30 pmBelgian waffles are the best, I would so love to have the real authentic ones in Belgium itself one day. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, looking forward to reading about all your adventures!
spcookiequeen
May 18 at 10:25 pmBelgian waffles are my favorite, your trip sounds so cool.
-Gina
Jean
May 19 at 9:10 amThose Belgian waffles look amazing–no better place to enjoy them than where you were. Look at those toppings!
Looking forward to the rest of your trip recap, Priscilla. 🙂