Chai Waffles with Spiced Vanilla Whipped Cream

   Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! It's another wintry day at our house. Woke up to a fresh blanket of snow and it is still coming down. A good day to spend indoors baking rolls for a family gathering tomorrow night, maybe sew a dress, enjoy some mommy/son time and being very thankful to God for the blessing of a warm house. (something I too often take for granted)
   We had a Christmas service at church yesterday morning, and I wanted to fix a special Christmas breakfast to enjoy before we went. I was planning to make my gingerbread waffles, but then I found this recipe from  Ezra Pound Cake and decided to try  something new. I made a few minor adjustments to the recipe and they didn't disappoint...the only thing disappointing was the fact that Husband had taken my cooking spray while he was barbecuing the other day and didn't bring it back so I had trouble with the waffles sticking to the iron and tearing. I tried greasing the iron with olive oil etc, but it just wasn't working very well. I managed to get a few that weren't totally riddled to photograph. So although they looked like an almost total flop, they sure did taste like winners! Perfect for Christmas morning. (or any morning for that matter)

Chai Waffles with Spiced Vanilla Whipped Cream

yield: 12-16 waffles (depending on the size)

Waffles:

1 3/4 cups milk 

7 chai tea bags

1 3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

1/2 tsp orange peel

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs, separated

1/2 cup canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

In a small saucepan over medium heat bring milk to a simmer, add tea bags and remove from heat. Let the tea steep for about 5 minutes. Squeeze the tea bags into the milk and then discard. Allow the tea to cool.

In another bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices. Set aside.

In another bowl whisk together egg yolks, oil, vanilla and the cooled chai tea.

Add to the dry ingredients stirring just until combined, batter will be lumpy. 

In a small bowl beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into the batter being careful not to over mix. 

Preheat and grease your waffle iron. Add batter and cook until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar and top with Spiced Vanilla Whipped Cream and maple syrup.

Spiced Vanilla Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

Pour the cream into a bowl and whip on low speed until just beginning to stiffen. Add sugar, vanilla, and spices. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. Serve on top of waffles.
 

...............................................................................................................

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of heavenly host

praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the Highest,

and on earth, peace, good will

toward men." 

~St. Luke 2:13&14

  

♥ Sheila