Orange Almond Waffles with Cranberry Syrup
Outside of creating holiday-themed recipes, I’ve been suffering from a little bit of Grinchism lately. Brandon called me out on our walk with Coco when we spotted an inflatable family of penguins in Santa hats tucked away in someone’s doorway. I could hear the motorized fan blowing from at least twenty feet down the sidewalk but it wasn’t until we were right in front of their door that I saw them.
“Well that seems like a waste of electricity,” I said. “You can’t even see it until your standing directly in front of the door. And it’s not even dark out yet. I mean, people are dying!”
“Whoa, you’re really being a grouch,” he said. “Lighten up, would ya?”
Yeah, you know it’s bad when you start getting bent out of shape over inflatable Christmas penguins.
This is the third year in a row that we won’t be going home for the holidays and I think it’s starting to wear on me. To me, this time of year is about being with family. Decorations just feel like a constant reminder of how far away I am. Even if I can’t be with family, I realize that I’m beyond lucky to have my husband and our Precious Pretty (aka Coco) by my side. I need to just suck it up and smile at the damn penguins! Because it could much worse, right?
Besides, if cranberry syrup doesn’t put you in the holiday mood, I don’t know what will.
Is that color not gorgeous? I had to resist the urge to smear it on my face. Cranberry facials! You know you want one.
Or maybe that’s just me, dreaming of a spa day that includes a warm steam bath. Or anything warm. Because it’s freaking cold.
But first, WAFFLES.
Whole grain waffles made with almond meal and fresh orange juice, topped with BEAyootiful cranberry sizzurp.
You know what else is beautiful about this recipe? You can make it with whole wheat flour (or spelt) or gluten-free brown rice flour. I tried both and they were equally delicious.
They might seem complicated to make but they actually come together in under 30 minutes. And the tangy sweet flavor from the orange and cranberries is totally worth it.
If you’re not already in the holiday spirit then grab a few oranges and some cranberries and get cookin’! You’re sure to start feeling it with a batch of these. :)
Ingredients
1 and 1/4 cup brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if not GF)
1/4 cup almond meal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup orange juice + 3 tablespoons orange zest (juice/zest of 2 large oranges)
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey
Cranberry Syrup
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine the cranberries and the maple syrup in a medium sized saucepan and bring to a low boil. Reduce to a simmer and allow to cook for 15 minutes then set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile preheat the waffle maker and then combine all of the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl (brown rice flour to salt) and sift together.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (egg to honey) and add the coconut oil last. Make sure the coconut oil isn’t hot before adding otherwise it will cook the egg.
- Using a spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the dry until they are just combined. Grease your waffle maker (if necessary) and then add the recommended amount of batter and cook as directed.
- While the waffles are cooking, place the 1/2 of the cranberries and maple syrup in a food processor and blend until smooth. You can blend more or less depending on how many chunks of cranberries you want in your syrup. Add the pureed syrup back to the remaining cranberries in the pot and stir together, then transfer it to a container for pouring.
- Serve waffles warm with cranberry syrup and enjoy!
Notes
waffles adapted from At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen by Amy Chaplin
These look so delicious! I love the cranberry/orange flavor combo.
I’m sorry to hear you don’t get to see your family again this holiday season. That would be really hard! I love Christmas but for the last 5 years haven’t really gotten into it. David and I have never put up a tree together at our house! I’ve always thought it’s a waste of money to buy a dying tree and set it up for a month in your living room (talk about Grinch!). This year my friend, Michelle & I put a tree up at my parents house. They have the room for it, and are hosting Christmas, so it made sense to me. It’s so beautiful! What is it about lights that make a tree so enticing?
Anyway, it sounds like you definitely need some family time in your future! I hope you get it. :)
I have a major obsession with Christmas lights, but those inflatable santas/snowmen just annoy the crap out of me, too. They just look so out of place. I can relate to your ginchedness, although I totally wouldn’t mind taking a booze cruise with you and Brandon and drive around looking at all the pretty Christmas lights.
Seriously, smalls, I still have leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving, and I’m thinking theese waffs + my cranberry sauce for the win! xo
Oh man, someone REALLY needs to buy me a waffle maker for Christmas. I had a total scrooge moment yesterday at Target. For like the 8th time this month I dropped $100 in five minutes and felt totally broke. It made me reeeeally grouchy and I literally pouted for half the day.
Hopefully you’ll be able to see your family soon!
Target always knows how to suck you in! ;)
Oh poor Sarah! That’s too bad you won’t be going home, but you’re sure to feel warm and fuzzy with your hubby, puppy and some good eats like this. Fabulous recipe, as always!
In your defense, those inflatable penguins are pretty tacky…. BUT THAT SYRUP–gahhh.. looks so good!
The people across the street from us have a 50 foot high inflatable glowing snowman on top of their roof. I really have no words when I go outside and it is all I can see, haha! My husband loves it, but I’m not so sure about it! These waffles on the other hand look amazing and I want one right now!
These waffles are definitely going to be getting made for breakfast Christmas morning. Thanks for the delicious recipe and idea!
Living far away from family can be really hard. We’re going home for christmas this year but I know how you feel. I always feel like I’m never around.
But! These waffles! With two of my favorite flavors right now – cranberry and orange. And yes, I wouldn’t mind one bit smearing that syrup all over my face! :)
First thought when I saw the first picture: “Awww they’re like cute little pillows of heaven!” :mrgreen: Love the flavours in this recipe, girl. Cranberry sauce is one of my favourite holiday flavours, and seriously underrated. And I love, love, LOVE it with a touch of orange.
Sorry to hear that you won’t be able to go visit family this Christmas, but all the more reason to create some new holiday traditions, right? :)
Pingback: Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole – MakingThymeforHealth
These look delicious!! I love me some waffles.
Aw girl, I’m so sorry that you can’t make it home for the holidays. I can understand why that’s making you feel like a holiday grump, but I’m sure that you and your little family will do things to make the holidays special out in Cali. Sending you lots of holiday cheer!! :)
Pingback: . link love 12/21 . - . running with spoons .
Looks awesome, loving the fact it’s gluten free too.