I’m officially the worst blogger ever for withholding these from you for so long.
Seriously, do you ever do something you’ve been dying to do or get something you’ve been dying to get, only to just kind of let it fall by the wayside once it’s done or purchased?
For instance, maybe you’ve been stalking a pair of shoes for a long while and finally get them, only to never wear them. This may or may not be the story of my freakin’ LIFE.
Or you make homemade lieges only to totally neglect them for like, MONTHS. I’ve had these waiting patiently in my queue since April. I should be fired effective immediately since I clearly fail hard at this blogging thing.
So my apology, naturally, is finally bringing you these Copycat Lieges. If you’ve never heard of the term ‘liege’, it’s okay – these are basically glorified Belgian-style waffles with one major difference.
Lieges are typically made with pearl sugar, which is basically the best thing ever invented. If you don’t know, pearl sugar is exactly how its name implies: it’s sugar that looks like little pearls or pebbles. Very thick, coarse and hard, but melt-in-your-mouth. You can typically find this at specialty baking stores like Sur La Table.
Anywho, you prepare your yeasted Belgian waffle dough, let it rise, then toss in the pearl sugar. Divide the dough into small patties and fry up in your waffle iron. Easy peasy waffle squeezy, people.
And the result? Pure, unadulterated deliciousness. The sugar bursts and caramelizes against the hot iron grates, creating this caramelization all over and throughout the soft, buttery waffle. It’s heaven on earth on its own, but slathered with butter or topped with Biscoff takes it over the top.
Copycat Lieges {Belgian-Style Waffles}
Ingredients
- 1 pkt yeast
- 3/4 cup lukewarm milk
- 2 sticks butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 bag Belgian Pearl Sugar
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Set aside.
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer, gradually add all of the ingredients together except for the pearl sugar. Let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.
- Once dough has risen, add in the pearl sugar. Divide the dough into small patties and bake in a preheated and greased (if necessary) waffle iron. Cook according to manufacturer's directions.
- Gently and carefully remove waffles from waffle iron. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.
These taste just like the crispy, caramelized waffles at the famed Wafels & Dinges cart in New York City! Crispy, buttery, crunchy yet soft – and totally heavenly!
I hope you enjoy! Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking says
Care for a piece? Girl, I want the whole fricken batch!
My brand new Cusinart waffle maker broke, and now I’m sad I can’t inhale these. Pinning.
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks so much Lisa!
CakeSpy says
A huge hooray for this tasty copycat 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
🙂
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
I’ve never seen pearl sugar in a store, but now I’ve got to find some because these look amazing!
thedomesticrebel says
You must track some down Tonia!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I love these waffles so darn much!! They look perfect…and worth the wait!
thedomesticrebel says
They were SO worth the wait!!
Liz says
Whoa, these are some impressive waffles! I need to stock up on pearl sugar ASAP!
thedomesticrebel says
Yes you do! Thanks Liz!
tanya says
These were worth out wait!! Gorgeous Hayley!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Pearl Sugar?! Ok now I need to get me some if it results in waffles this delicious!
thedomesticrebel says
Yes you must track some down!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
You are awful for withholding these because OH MY GOSH AMAZING!
thedomesticrebel says
Right!? I stink at life. But at least I made lieges!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Ooh la la, that first photo has me wanting to grab right through the screen!! These look divine! 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks so much Annie!
Emanuele @ guyslovecooking says
Go girl. Don’t feel embarrassed, they are great and sooo tasty. I live next to Belgium and we head down quite often to have those!!! 🙂
Karin B says
I live in a small town and there is no way anyone will carry this sugar. Do you think I could partially break down sugar cubes for the same effect?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Karin, I obviously haven’t tried that method but you could always give it a go. Let me know if that works out!
Lisa Riley says
What brand of waffle iron do you have? These look amazing and I find my waffle iron VERY disappointing! Thanks!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Lisa! I have a KitchenAid waffle maker. It’s pricey, but SO worth it.
Lisa Riley says
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply! Have a great day!
g.smith says
What is the size of the bag of pearl sugar, please? Thanks.
thedomesticrebel says
10 ounces 🙂
Dan De Groote says
Please define:
1pkg yeast – where I live, the yeast does not come in packages and I usually have a tin in the cupboard
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Dan, one package of yeast is equivalent to 2 & 1/4 teaspoons of yeast.
Mica says
Hey I was just wondering if u separated the egg whites from the egg and mixed them Separatly before combining them.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Mica, no, you put the whole egg in the batter!