Ingredients

2 1/4 cups plain/all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tablespoons caster sugar (substitute granulated sugar if needed)

Pinch of cooking/kosher salt

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/3 cups full fat milk, slightly warmed (not piping hot)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

4 large eggs

150g (11 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (not piping hot)

Butter, softened (strongly recommended for serving)

Maple syrup or honey (strongly recommended for serving)

Icing sugar/powdered sugar for dusting

Strawberries or other fresh fruit, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 2: Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla essence to the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Pour in the melted butter and whisk again until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. The batter should be pourable but a bit thicker than pancake batter.

Step 3: Cover the batter and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight if possible. This resting period helps develop softer insides and richer flavor. If short on time, you can skip this step and proceed immediately to cooking.

Step 4: Preheat your waffle maker. If it has settings, choose your preferred browning level. A non-stick waffle iron usually doesn’t require additional oil or butter since the batter contains butter already.

Step 5: Use a ladle to pour batter onto the waffle iron, just enough to cover the cooking surface without overflowing. Close the iron and cook until the waffles are golden and crisp—this can take between 3 1/2 to 6 minutes depending on your waffle maker.

Step 6: Transfer the cooked waffles onto plates and serve immediately with softened butter, maple syrup, a dusting of icing sugar, and fresh fruit. Alternatively, keep the waffles warm on a rack in a 70°C (150°F) oven while you finish cooking the rest.

Tips & Variations

Resting the batter overnight significantly improves the texture and taste, but it’s okay to cook immediately if short on time.

If you don’t have caster sugar, regular granulated sugar works just fine.

Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a subtle spice twist.

Try toppings like whipped cream, nuts, chocolate chips, or different fresh fruits to customize your waffles.

FAQs

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Yes, resting the batter in the refrigerator overnight is recommended to enhance flavor and create softer interiors, but you can also cook immediately if needed.

Do I need to grease the waffle iron?

Usually, no if you have a non-stick waffle iron and since the batter contains butter, additional greasing is often unnecessary. However, lightly greasing the iron can prevent sticking if you’re unsure.