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National Waffle Day
Grab the syrup and dig in!
Did you know that waffles have more fat and sugar in their batter than pancakes which helps make those crispy edges? Or that Belgian Waffles debuted at the World’s Fair in New York in 1964? These are the types of facts you can enjoy while you celebrate National Waffle Day on August 24.
This day commemorates the first U.S. patent of a waffle iron, awarded to Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York in 1869. While waffles had been around much longer, this was the first time waffles were readily available, thanks to Swarthout’s invention.
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An old favorite
According to NationalDayCalendar.com, waffles have a history that originated around the 14th century. The first recipe, written by a husband to his wife, included instructions that started with, “Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour and mix.”
Other sources report that in the Middle Ages waffle-like wafers were made using round plates with images of Jesus, The Crucifixion, and other religious scenes and symbols. Fast forward to the 1900s and you can see waffles taking off in popularity. Important dates include:
1911 – First electric waffle iron introduced by General Electric.
1953 – Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
1964 – Belgian Waffles debut at New York’s World’s Fair.
Get the perfect waffle iron
While you can choose a classic square waffle iron, there are lots of other shapes and even sizes. If you’re a Belgian waffle fan, you can buy a specific iron that makes a thicker, larger size like you see at some restaurants. Or, if you’re a fan of a certain cartoon mouse or an out of this world movie, you can find iconic shapes that will brighten up your breakfast. A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of shapes and sizes to choose from.
How to celebrate the day
Through the years, recipes, cooking and methods have evolved to bring us to the crispy, warm waffles we know and love today.
Make a big batch of waffles and share with family and friends. You can also try new flavor combinations like nutmeg and cinnamon or go savory with thyme and basil. Chicken with waffles is also a popular combination, using the saltiness of the fried chicken and the sweetness of the syrup and waffles.
Basic Waffle Recipe from Allrecipes.com
Makes about 6 waffles
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups milk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon sale
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Non-stick cooking spray
- Preheat your waffle iron per manufacturer’s instructions. Whisk eggs in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add flour, milk, and vegetable oil and mix to combine. Whisk in sugar, then mix in baking powder, salt, and vanilla just until smooth, being careful not to over mix.
- Spray the preheated waffle iron with nonstick spray. Pour batter into the hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown and the iron stops steaming, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat to cook remaining waffles.
Tips on packing a waffle iron
- Put the wrapped waffle iron inside a sturdy box where the item will fit snugly.
- Fill any empty spaces with packing materials to limit movement.
- Don’t forget to enclose the power cord (if detachable), accessories, user’s manual or any other items that you want to include.
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