These Fruit Waffles make a colourful and impressive brunch using just five main ingredients. Crisp, golden waffles are served with fresh strawberries, homemade blackberry sauce and a smooth quenelle of ice cream. A dusting of icing sugar and fresh mint complete this simple yet elegant dish.
These Fruit Waffles make a colourful and impressive brunch using just five main ingredients. Crisp, golden waffles are served with fresh strawberries, homemade blackberry sauce and a smooth quenelle of ice cream. A dusting of icing sugar and fresh mint complete this simple yet elegant dish.
Add the flour, baking powder, 1 tbsp caster sugar and salt to a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
250 g plain flour, 2 tbsp caster sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 pinch salt
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and vanilla extract. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture while whisking gently.
2 large eggs, 300 ml milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Add the melted butter and continue mixing until you have a smooth batter. Do not overmix, as a few tiny lumps are perfectly fine.
60 g butter
Leave the batter to rest for around 5 minutes while you prepare the blackberry sauce.
Make the Blackberry Sauce:
Place the blackberries and water into a small saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of the caster sugar and gently heat over a medium temperature.
200 g fresh blackberries, 2 tbsp water
Stir occasionally as the berries soften and release their juices. Cook for around 6–8 minutes until the fruit has broken down and the mixture has become saucy.
For a smoother sauce, press the mixture through a fine sieve. Alternatively, leave some of the blackberry pieces intact for a more rustic finish.
Set the sauce aside and keep it warm.
Prepare the Strawberries:
Wash the strawberries and pat them dry. Remove the green tops and cut each strawberry in half.
250 g fresh strawberries
Keep the halves reasonably large. They will look more attractive on the finished plate and retain their fresh texture.
Cook the Waffles:
Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lightly grease it if required.
Pour an appropriate amount of batter into the centre of the waffle plate. Close the lid and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
The exact cooking time will depend on your waffle maker. Usually, around 3–5 minutes works well.
Carefully remove the waffle and place it on a plate or wire rack. Repeat until all the batter has been used.
Avoid stacking the waffles for too long, as trapped steam can soften their crisp exterior.
Make the Ice Cream Quenelles:
Take the ice cream from the freezer for a few minutes before serving. This allows it to soften slightly without melting.
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Using two dessert spoons, shape each portion into a smooth quenelle. Warm the spoons in hot water first if necessary, then dry them before shaping the ice cream.
Do not worry if your first few attempts are not perfect. A rustic quenelle still looks attractive on a homemade brunch plate.
Assemble the Fruit Waffles:
Place one warm waffle onto each serving plate. Arrange the halved strawberries around the waffle.
Drizzle the warm blackberry sauce over and around the waffle. Try not to cover everything, as the contrast between the golden waffle, red strawberries and dark berries makes the dish particularly appealing.
Place a quenelle of vanilla ice cream alongside the waffle.
Finally, dust the whole dish lightly with icing sugar. Add a small sprig of fresh mint for colour and freshness.
Serving Suggestion:Serve the waffles immediately while they are still warm and crisp. The contrast between the warm waffle, cool ice cream and fruity blackberry sauce is one of the best features of this dish.For an extra impressive presentation, drizzle a little blackberry sauce across the plate before adding the waffle. Then arrange the strawberries neatly rather than simply scattering them around the plate.Cook's Tips:Keep the waffles crisp: Place cooked waffles on a wire rack rather than a plate while you finish cooking.Don't overmix: Gentle mixing helps produce lighter waffles.Use ripe berries: Good-quality fruit makes a noticeable difference to the finished dish.Make the sauce ahead: The blackberry sauce can be prepared earlier and gently reheated before serving.Serve immediately: Add the ice cream and icing sugar at the last moment.Try different fruit: Raspberries, blueberries, peaches or sliced nectarines can create delicious alternatives.For extra crunch: Toasted chopped nuts can be served alongside, although they would be an optional addition rather than one of the five main ingredients.