Pancakes or Waffles, which do you prefer?

This is debated among family and friends at diners, cafes, and breakfast tables across America. Most of us developed our preference for one over the other when we were children and I am no exception. I remember the aroma of my mother making waffles on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and of course there was a side of crispy bacon. My perfect waffle is a light and crispy golden brown confection with butter and maple syrup.

In my attempt to make the perfect waffles I have tried many recipes and experienced some epic failures along the way. I have used seltzer water, milk, buttermilk, butter, oil, eggs, and various combinations of all of these ingredients in my quest to make light and crispy waffles. I finally found the magical ingredient required to achieve waffles that are light and crispy, corn starch, who knew? Corn starch is a very underrated ingredient that changes the texture and consistency of food without changing the flavor.

The version below is the recipe that I have landed on for the perfect waffles. The first time I bit into a waffle from this recipe, I was transported back to my childhood and the waffles mom made. These waffles are golden brown and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Top them with your favorite maple syrup, whipped cream, fruit, or whatever topping brings you joy.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
¼ cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ tablespoons sugar
1 cup buttermilk or milk
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg

Directions

• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla, and egg together.
  Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gentle mix the batter until only small lumps remain.
• Let the batter sit for 20 minutes. This will allow the gluten to relax.
• Prepare the waffle iron and place on the highest setting. Each waffle iron is different, but I find the highest setting produces the golden brown waffles I love.
• Add enough batter to your waffle iron to fill the entire grid and allow them to cook until they are golden brown.
• Place in an oven set on 225 degrees. I place my prepared waffles in my oven or toaster oven to keep them warm. Do not stack the waffles in the oven.

Additional Notes:

• This recipe makes 2-4 sets of waffles based on the size of your waffle iron.
• This recipe can be doubled.
• These waffles can be refrigerated and reheated in a toaster on a medium setting.

For the waffle lovers out there, I hope you love this recipe as much as I do.