They’re 50% waffle, 50% cookie and 100% delicious. Call them what you want, these waffle cookies or cookie waffles are a treat to enjoy well beyond the breakfast hours, and they can be dressed up and customized in so many ways that you’ll want to make them again and again.
Because a waffle cookie not only tastes great but looks great, too, these are also a perfect treat to bake and give as gifts or to serve for dessert at parties. This waffle cookie recipe, in short, is one you will be using again and again to impress and delight!
Waffle Cookie Ingredients
- Butter: The butter needs to be softened, so make sure you get it out of the fridge with plenty of lead time before you start the waffle cookie prep.
- Sugar: Use a cup of white sugar, because these are a sweet treat. Yes, you can cut back on the sugar a bit, but not too much as it will impact the texture.
- Eggs: Use two large room temperature eggs, which can take up to an hour, so again, plan ahead.
- Vanilla extract: Just one teaspoon of this classic, potent flavoring agent is all you need here.
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour makes the best waffle cookies, so don’t try them with cookie flour.
- Baking powder: Baking powder helps the waffle cookies achieve their ideal shape and texture. Measure it with care.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This sugar, sprinkled on after the waffle cookies are finished, is technically optional, but it’s highly recommended for added sweetness and interest.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare wet and dry ingredients, then combine
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar, mixing until the blend is light and fluffy, which will take five to seven minutes. Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt, and gradually beat the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture—the mixture will be thick.
Step 2: Cook on a hot waffle iron
Drop dough in batches by tablespoonfuls three to four inches apart onto a greased preheated waffle iron. Bake the cookies until they’re dark brown, which will take two to three minutes.
Step 3: Cool, then dust with sugar
Remove the cooked cookies to wire racks to cool completely, then sprinkle them with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Waffle Cookie Variations
- Add chocolate chips: For an even sweeter treat with a chocolate twist, sprinkle small semisweet chocolate chips into the mix when you add the dry ingredients.
- Whipped cream and berries: Excellent toppings for waffles make excellent toppings for waffle cookies, so consider all your favorites here.
- Reduce the sugar: As noted before, you can reduce the sugar by about a quarter and still make sweet, tasty waffle cookies.
How to Store Waffle Cookies
Waffle cookies are best fresh or frozen. They will lose their lovely texture and grow soft if stored at room temperature, and storing them in the fridge makes them too dense. Freeze any cookies you will not eat within a day.
How to Thaw Frozen Waffle Cookies
Frozen waffle cookies can be popped into a hot oven (400ºF) for about 10 minutes or placed in a toaster; the latter may require two heating cycles.
Waffle Cookie Tips
What are some easy ways to add more flavor to these waffle cookies?
For a truly delightful waffle cookie, replace a quarter to half of the regular sugar with maple sugar. Adjust to your maple taste preferences.
What should I use to grease my waffle iron?
Any neutral cooking spray works fine, just avoid olive oil or coconut oils, which will change the flavor.
What should I serve with these waffle cookies?
The best pairing is fresh fruit and a cup of coffee or tea. Or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, of course.
