In this edition of MK Test Kitchen, our ever-hungry team of creatives try out the best waffle recipes. From decadently sweet, to flavour-packing savoury variations, we show you why waffles have become the trendy treats that’s perfect for any occasion. 

Level up

For a simple yet tasty dessert, try this combo: Add ¼ cup caramel treat and 2 Tbsp chopped mixed nuts (almonds, pecans or pistachios) to 1 batch waffle batter. Mix well to combine. Top waffles with dollops of caramel treat, sliced banana, fresh raspberries, chopped mixed nuts and a dusting of icing sugar.

Back to basics: waffle edition

We’ve chosen two basic waffle batters that are most used and can be turned into anything extraordinary in a matter of minutes!

Belgian waffles

Makes 8-10 // Proofing (Time to rise) 30 MIN – 1 HOUR

These are made with yeast and have a slightly tangy flavour, as well as a light airy texture. 

Ingredients

1 ½ cups (375ml) + ¼ cup (60ml) milk
⅓ cup (76g) butter, cubed
1 ½ tsp (7ml) instant yeast
2 ½ Tbsp (37ml) sugar
¼ tsp (1ml) salt
2 cups (240g) cake flour
2 large eggs

Method

1. In a pot, heat 1 ½ cups milk and butter together then cool slightly until it reaches lukewarm temperature.
2. Pour into a large bowl, add yeast, sugar, salt, flour and eggs then whisk until combined (the mixture might be lumpy).
3. Cover with a plastic wrap and set aside to proof for 1-2 hours.
4. Remove plastic, stir and add milk to loosen the batter slightly (it should still be thick).
5. Ladle ¼ cup (60ml) of the mixture into a preheated waffle iron and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until golden and crispy.
6. Set aside and repeat with remaining batter.
7. Serve warm.

Churro waffles

Makes 8-10

This twist on the original batter provides a crunchier texture, firm enough to hold loads of toppings. 

Ingredients

For the churros 

2 cups (500ml) water
¾ 4 cup (180g) butter, chopped
2 tsp (10ml) vanilla essence
1 tsp (5ml) salt
2 cups (240g) cake flour
4 large eggs
¼ cup (60g) granulated sugar
1 Tbsp (15ml) ground cinnamon
¼ cup (60ml) melted butter
Melted dark or milk chocolate, for serving

Method

1. Add water, butter, vanilla and salt to a pot over high heat, stir to melt and bring to a rapid boil.
2. Remove pot from the heat, add the flour and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until a smooth paste forms.
3. Transfer the paste to a bowl and cool for about 10 minutes, until you can press your finger into the mixture for more than 5 seconds (too hot and the mixture will cook the eggs).
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until completely combined before adding the next.
5. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.
6. Ladle ¼ cup of mixture into a waffle iron and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until golden.
7. Remove and brush immediately with melted butter, then toss into cinnamon sugar to coat. Set aside.
8. Repeat with remaining batter and serve hot and drizzled with melted dark or milk chocolate.

Recipes and styling: Chad January
Photographs: Zhann Solomons

The post Wonderful waffle recipes for every occasion appeared first on MyKitchen.

Take your tastebuds on a journey to South America with these caramel-filled churro cupcakes with star toppings, perfect for entertaining.

Makes 12 // COOKING TIME 1 hour

Ingredients
For the buttercream icing
250 g butter, at room temperature
500 g icing sugar, sifted
1 tbsp milk
For the stars
50 g sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp butter
1 flour tortilla, cut into star shapes
For the churro cupcakes
½ cup butter, at room temperature
¾ cup caster sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
¾ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
200 g tin caramel

Method
For the buttercream icing
1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl with an electric beater, until light and fluffy.
For the star toppings
1. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
2. Warm the butter in a pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the tortilla stars and fry until golden, turning over halfway.
3. Immediately coat the tortilla stars in the cinnamon sugar when you remove them from the pan.
4. Set aside on a cooling rack.
For the churro cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a muffin tray with cupcake cases.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients.
4. Mix thoroughly with an electric beater, but do not over-mix.
5. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Set aside and to cool completely.
6. When the cupcakes are cooled, cut out the centres with a knife and fill with the caramel. Pipe icing on to each cupcake and decorate with a star.

Recipe & styling: Diane Heierli
Photography: Christoph Heierli

The post Caramel-filled churro cupcakes topped with sugar-cinnamon stars appeared first on MyKitchen.

As part of the doughnut family, churros have a special place in our hearts! These delicious Mexican treats have gained a lot of popularity recently, but figuring out where to get a great churro can be tough, so you may as well just make them yourself! Here’s how:

By Taryn Wilson

INGREDIENTS
1 cup water
125 g butter
5 cm lemon rind
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
Vegetable oil, to deep-fry
¼ cup sugar, plus extra to serve

METHOD
1. Bring the water, butter and lemon rind to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and remove the lemon rind.
2. Add the flour and baking powder. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes away cleanly from the sides and forms a ball. Remove from heat.
3. Add eggs and beat until the mixture is thick and smooth. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle.
4. In a large pot, heat enough oil to deep-fry. Squeeze 5 cm long strips of batter into the hot oil and fry in batches, for 2 minutes on each side, until golden. Drain on paper towel.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve with ice cream and chocolate sauce to top it off!

Image: Unsplash

The post How to make churros at home appeared first on MyKitchen.