Life with children is a beautiful whirlwind, often filled with unpredictable moments of chaos and pure joy. Just the other day, the familiar sound of Ben arriving home from work was met with an explosion of exuberant shrieks from the kids. They launched themselves into his arms, then, in typical fashion, immediately dropped to the living room floor to commence their beloved game of “tackle.” It was in that moment, amidst the boisterous laughter and playful tussles, that a realization struck me: these were the first uninhibited giggles I had heard from them all day. A mental note was promptly made: strive to elicit laughter from the children at least once before Ben walks through the door. And perhaps, aim for a slightly less harried demeanor throughout the day. It’s a candid admission, but lately, the days have felt relentlessly challenging. Ben, with his characteristic kindness, often offers solace by recalling a passage from Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, where she tells her husband, “You can be the one they adore because you make them pancakes and take them to Yankees games.” While this always brings a smile to my face, and though I have no ambition to become a ‘Tiger Mom,’ it certainly serves as a reminder to inject more moments of delight into our daily lives.
Creating those delightful moments often starts in the kitchen, especially with comforting breakfasts that bring everyone together. For busy families, a truly exceptional waffle recipe can be a game-changer, transforming rushed mornings into cherished memories. And when it comes to waffles, few recipes command as much adoration as Aretha Frankenstein’s Waffles of Insane Greatness. This recipe has garnered a cult following for good reason. From the moment I first tried it several years ago, it instantly became our family’s gold standard, and I haven’t looked back since. These waffles are revered for their perfectly crisp, golden crust that gives way to an incredibly tender, almost crepe-like interior. They strike that elusive balance between crunch and chewiness that makes every bite a sheer pleasure. What’s more, for a waffle recipe that delivers such outstanding results, it’s remarkably straightforward to prepare. There’s no fussy yeast requiring a long overnight rise, nor the extra step of meticulously whipping egg whites, making it far more accessible than many other gourmet waffle recipes.
Despite their relative ease, and perhaps as a testament to my increasing desire for ultimate convenience, I sometimes found even this wonderful recipe to be a slight undertaking for a busy morning. The traditional method calls for meticulously measuring out six distinct dry ingredients—flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar—along with four wet components: egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla. While not inherently difficult, the sheer number of ingredients to measure, especially when juggling a bustling household, felt like a mini-project. And considering that a single batch typically yields enough waffles to serve only two to three people, I often felt the effort disproportionate to the output, particularly when feeding a larger family or hosting guests. This minor friction, though small, was enough to sometimes deter me from making them as often as we’d like.
This culinary dilemma sparked an idea a few months ago: what if I could streamline the process even further? What if I could eliminate the daily measuring of dry ingredients entirely? With this in mind, I decided to scale up the recipe significantly. I weighed out ten times the amount of each dry ingredient, combined them thoroughly, and stored the resulting mix in a large ziplock bag. This was a new venture for me; I had never prepared a dry-ingredient mix in such bulk before, and I harbored a slight apprehension about how the waffles would perform. Would the quality be compromised? Would the leavening agents retain their potency over time? My worries, thankfully, were entirely unfounded. The bulk mix worked like an absolute charm, exceeding all my expectations. This simple change revolutionized our waffle-making mornings, transforming a multi-step process into an incredibly quick and effortless task. Now, when the craving for waffles strikes, all I need to do is measure out approximately 1.25 cups (or 152 grams) of this pre-mixed blend and whisk it together with the standard wet ingredients: melted butter, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. It truly is a piece of cake, simplifying breakfast preparation immensely.
This make-ahead waffle mix has been a revelation, making those coveted crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside waffles a regular feature on our breakfast table. The beauty of having this mix ready means that even on hectic weekdays, a delightful homemade breakfast is within easy reach. No more fumbling for multiple canisters and measuring spoons; just a scoop, a quick whisk, and we’re on our way to golden perfection. This convenience makes these waffles a true family favorite, not just in my home but, I’m sure, in many of yours as well. Beyond the sheer deliciousness, the act of making and sharing these waffles fosters a sense of warmth and togetherness, creating cherished morning rituals. This Father’s Day, or any day you want to show appreciation, consider the gift of easy, incredible waffles. Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there!
To create a thoughtful gift package for this waffle mix, you’ll need a few simple materials: an empty Quaker Oats (large size) canister, brown craft paper (or any color you prefer) to cover the canister, the prepared waffle mix (recipe detailed below), and nice paper for printing a personalized label.
The true magic of this bulk waffle mix lies in its simplicity on waffle-making mornings. With your dry mix prepped, all that’s left is to melt some butter and whisk it together with buttermilk, a fresh egg, and a touch of vanilla. It’s an effortlessly quick assembly that promises perfect waffles every time.
Aretha Frankenstein’s Waffles of Insane Greatness Mix
5 from 1 review
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Author:
Alexandra Stafford at alexandracooks.com -
Total Time:
60 minutes -
Yield:
10 batches, serves many people
Description
Note: The most accurate and efficient way to prepare this bulk waffle mixture is to use a kitchen scale. This will ensure precise measurements and save time. If you wish to make just a single batch of these amazing waffles without preparing the bulk mix, you can find the original recipe on Food52.
Ingredients for the Bulk Mix
This waffle mixture is precisely 10 times the amount of dry ingredients found in the original recipe. Prepare this large batch once, and enjoy effortless waffle mornings for weeks to come!
- 1000 g all-purpose flour (approximately 7 1/2 cups)
- 380 g cornstarch (approximately 2 1/2 cups)
- 76 g sugar (approximately 5 tablespoons)
- 22 g baking powder (approximately 5 teaspoons)
- 34 g salt (approximately 5 teaspoons – table salt recommended)
- 16 g baking soda (approximately 2 1/2 teaspoons)
For every single batch of waffles (which serves 2 to 3 people), you will need 1 1/4 cups or 152 g of the above dry mix, combined with the following wet ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup (approximately 5.3 tablespoons) melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Bulk Dry Mix: In a very large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for the bulk mix (flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda). Whisk them together thoroughly and carefully to ensure an even distribution of all components. Once well combined, transfer the mixture to a large ziplock bag or an airtight container for storage. This mix can be stored in a cool, dry pantry for several weeks.
- Prepare a Single Batch of Batter: When you’re ready to make waffles, begin by whisking the egg and buttermilk together in a medium-sized bowl. Next, incorporate the melted butter and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined. Now, measure out 152 g (or 1.25 cups) of your pre-made dry waffle mix and add it to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. The batter should be on the thinner side. If, after stirring, the mixture appears too thin (this can sometimes happen, especially if you’re doubling a single batch), add a tablespoon or two more of the dry waffle mix until it reaches the desired consistency. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough waffles. Let the batter rest for approximately 30 minutes; this allows the flour to fully hydrate and the leavening agents to begin their work, resulting in a lighter texture.
- Cook the Waffles: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We’ve found that a medium setting (such as ‘5’ on a dial of ’10’) typically works best for achieving that perfect crisp exterior and fluffy interior. A higher setting on our machine tends to be too hot, leading to overly browned exteriors before the interior is fully cooked. Pour the batter onto the hot waffle iron, close the lid, and cook until golden brown and crisp, following your specific machine’s indicators.
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Prep Time:
15 minutes -
Cook Time:
15 minutes
To assemble this delightful gift package for a special occasion or just to treat a loved one:
- One large ziplock bag filled with your prepared bulk waffle mix (from the recipe above).
- An empty Quaker Oats canister (the large size works perfectly).
- Brown craft or construction paper to elegantly cover the canister. You can also use decorative paper that suits the recipient’s taste.
- Spray mount adhesive or strong glue for securely affixing the craft paper and your custom label to the canister.
- A beautifully designed waffle mix label, printed on quality paper, to give the gift a personalized and professional touch. (While a downloadable label isn’t available at this moment, you can easily design your own using a word processor or graphic design tool, including instructions for mixing a single batch on the label itself!)
