Overnight Yeast Waffles

I am not sure what came over me when I decided to make this recipe. I am usually pretty intimidated by yeast and living at a higher elevation yeast and baking can sometimes not work out as I had planned.  Needless to say, I am so happy I made these.  They have an amazing yeasty sour smell and the taste is incredible.  Not sure I will ever go back to the old version.  There is only two of us who eat waffles in the house so we froze the majority of ours and they still have that amazing yeast texture and smell when you heat them up in the toaster.

Overnight Yeasted Waffles
MAKES
about 8 Belgian-style waffle squares or 16 standard waffle squares; recipe can be doubled (see Recipe Notes)

INGREDIENTS
Night Before:
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups whole or 2% milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cardamom (optional)

The Next Day:
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the yeast and the water in a large mixing bowl and stir to make sure yeast dissolves into the water. Let stand for a few minute.  Melt the butter in the microwave 30-45 seconds. Combine the butter with the milk, salt, cardamom, and sugar (if using). Test with your finger to make sure the mixture has cooled to lukewarm temperature. Once cooled, stir butter mixture into the dissolved yeast mixture. Add the flour and stir until a thick, shaggy dough is formed and there is no more visible flour.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit on the counter overnight. The batter will double or triple in bulk as it rises.

The next morning, beat the eggs together and add them to the batter along with the baking soda. Using a whisk or hand blender, beat the eggs and baking soda into the batter until completely combined.

Make the waffles according to your waffle maker's instructions, cooking until the waffles are golden brown. Cooking time will vary with your waffle maker, but it is typically 4 to 6 minutes.
Waffles are best if served immediately, but re-heat well in the toaster. Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for up to a week. Leftover waffles can also be frozen for up to 3 months and toasted straight out of the freezer.


Adapted from The Kitchn