Waffles with Mascarpone Cream and Strawberries: A Delightful Breakfast Treat
Waffles are a breakfast favourite, loved for their crispy exterior and fluffy interior. When paired with rich mascarpone cream and fresh strawberries, they become an indulgent treat that can elevate any morning. This guide will walk you through the steps to create this delectable dish, perfect for brunch, special occasions, or a weekend family breakfast.
The combination of light, airy waffles with the creamy richness of mascarpone and the sweet-tart burst of strawberries creates a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply want to treat yourself to something special, this recipe will make your morning memorable.
Ingredients Used For Waffles with Mascarpone Cream and Strawberries
Waffles:
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our waffles, all-purpose flour provides the structure needed for that perfect balance between a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar sweetens the waffle batter, enhancing the flavour without making the waffles overly sweet.
Baking Powder: Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, ensuring that the waffles rise well and become light and airy.
Salt: A pinch of salt helps to balance the sweetness and enhances the overall flavour of the waffles.
Eggs: Eggs add richness to the batter and help bind the ingredients together. Separating the eggs and whipping the whites before folding them into the batter gives the waffles extra fluffiness.
Milk: Milk provides moisture to the batter, helping to achieve the desired consistency and ensuring the waffles are tender.
Butter: Melted butter adds a rich flavour and helps to create a golden, crispy crust.
Vanilla Essence: Vanilla essence adds a subtle, sweet aroma and depth of flavour to the waffles.
Mascarpone Cream:
Whipping Cream: Whipping cream adds a light, airy texture to the mascarpone mixture, making it perfectly creamy.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Essence: Vanilla bean paste or essence enhances the flavour of the cream, adding a sweet, aromatic note.
Mascarpone Cheese: Mascarpone cheese provides a rich, creamy texture and a subtle, sweet flavour that complements the waffles beautifully.
Lemon Rind: A pinch of lemon rind adds a hint of citrusy brightness, balancing the richness of the cream.
Icing Sugar: Icing sugar sweetens the mascarpone cream without making it too heavy.
Strawberry Topping:
Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: Strawberries add a fresh, sweet, and slightly tart flavour that pairs perfectly with the creamy mascarpone and fluffy waffles.
Granulated Sugar: Sugar helps to sweeten the strawberry topping and draws out the natural juices of the berries.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a touch of acidity, brightening the flavour of the strawberries.
Alternative Ingredients
Greek Yogurt Instead of Mascarpone: For a lighter alternative, Greek yogurt can be used instead of mascarpone. It provides a similar creamy texture with a tangy flavour.
Maple Syrup Instead of Strawberry Topping: If strawberries are out of season or you prefer a different flavour, maple syrup can be a delightful alternative, adding a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
Almond Milk Instead of Cow’s Milk: For a dairy-free version, almond milk can be used in place of cow’s milk. It offers a subtle nutty flavour that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Coconut Oil Instead of Butter: Coconut oil can be used instead of butter for a dairy-free and slightly tropical twist to the waffles.
Preparation Tips For Waffles with Mascarpone Cream and Strawberries
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh eggs, butter, and milk will enhance the flavour and texture of your waffles.
- Do Not Over-mix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid tough waffles.
- Preheat Your Waffle Iron: Ensure your waffle iron is fully preheated before adding the batter to get that perfect crispy exterior.
Serving Tips For Waffles with Mascarpone Cream and Strawberries
- Serve Immediately: Waffles are best served fresh off the iron. If you’re making a large batch, keep them warm in a low oven.
- Add Fresh Berries: Top your waffles with fresh strawberries or other seasonal berries for added freshness and color.
- Garnish with Mint: A sprig of fresh mint can add a beautiful and aromatic touch to your plate.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate Leftovers: Store any leftover waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freeze for Later: Waffles can be frozen and reheated in the toaster for a quick breakfast. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Store Mascarpone Cream Separately: Keep the mascarpone cream in the fridge and only combine with the waffles when ready to serve.
Waffles with Mascarpone Cream and Strawberries (Full Recipe)
Waffles with Mascarpone Cream and Strawberries
Ingredients
Mascarpone Cream
- ⅔ cup whipping cream
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla essence
- ⅓ cup mascarpone cheese
- a pinch lemon rind
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
Strawberry Topping
- 300 g fresh or frozen strawberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 200 g fresh strawberries, cut into quarters or slices
Waffles
- 1 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1 ¾ cups milk
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla essence
Instructions
For the Mascarpone Cream
- In a stand mixer bowl, add the cream, sifted icing sugar and vanilla bean paste and with a whisk attachment mix the ingredients until stiff peaks have formed. Fold in the mascarpone cheese and lemon rind; mix until all the ingredients are fully combined. Allow to chill in the fridge until ready to use.
For the Strawberry Topping
- In a small saucepan, cook the frozen or fresh strawberries, sugar and lemon juice on medium-high heat for 5 – 7 minutes. Press the berries through a strainer, reserve the liquid in the bowl and discard the strawberry pulp. Return the strawberry juice back to the saucepan and continue to cook on medium heat for an additional 5 – 7 minutes, or until it reduces to a thick syrup. Remove from heat and allow to fully cool. In a small bowl mix the cooled strawberry reduction with the fresh strawberries, gently stir until they are fully coated with the reduction.
Prepare the Waffles
- To prepare the dry mixture, in a medium-sized bowl whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Keep aside.
- For the wet mixture, combine the egg yolks, milk, butter and vanilla in a medium-sized mixer bowl. Whisk ingredients together until they are evenly combined. In a stand mixer bowl, with a whisk attachment mix egg whites until moderately stiff peaks have formed.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, and combine ingredients together with a rubber spatula. Fold in the egg whites, be careful not to over-mix—it is typical to have a few lumps in the batter.
- Heat the waffle iron. Once heated, brush it with butter or vegetable oil, fill it with the batter, close the lid and cook until the waffle has browned. Cool the waffles on a wire rack before serving.
- Serve the waffles with a dollop of the mascarpone cream mixture and strawberry topping.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @cookingwithzahra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithzahra so we can see all the deliciousness!
