Raised Waffles with Warm Brown Sugar Bananas

Waffles! I love breakfast items :D This was my week to host the SMS Bakers. I chose the Raised Waffles with Warm Brown Sugar Bananas.

Though it took a bit more prep (overnight) than normal waffles, I really liked this recipe. My husband thought it tasted very much like a dessert... bananas foster. I actually preferred the waffles with good ole' maple syrup. Either way, give this a try if you like waffles!

To my fellow SMS bakers, it has been a while! Over the past month I moved from Italy to the U.S. For the next couple of months I will be in Ohio visiting family. In addition to the big move, I am pregnant! A LOT going on... In lieu of that announcement, I will tell you that I have no desire to cook or bake : ( This happened to me during my last pregnancy too. I will be taking a short hiatus until the nesting phase kicks in. Happy baking!

Raised Waffles with Warm Brown Sugar Bananas

For the Waffles

1/2 cup warm water

2 1/4 Tsp active dry yeast

8 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 cups whole milk

1 Tsp kosher salt

1 Tsp sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

pinch freshly ground nutmeg

2 large eggs

1/4 Tsp baking soda

For the Brown Sugar

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

pinch kosher salt

1/4 cup light rum

2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

To make the waffles

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve and activate.

2. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the milk; the butter mixture should be warm but not hot.

3. Add the butter mixture, salt, sugar, flour and nutmeg to the yeast mixture. Using a wire whisk, beat until smooth.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight.

5. When you are ready to cook the waffles, preheat the waffle iron.

6. In medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and baking soda and immediately whisk them into the batter. The batter will be very thin but smooth.

7. Spray the waffle iron with nonstick vegetable cooking spray. Cook the waffles according to the manufacturer's instructions.

To make the bananas

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the brown sugar and salt, and stir over medium heat until melted and bubbling.

2. Remove from the heat and add the rum, then carefully return the pan to the heat. Be careful when you add the rum and return the pan to the heat. The rum is going to flame up, but it will go out momentarily. Once the flame is out, burn off the alcohol, about 30 seconds.

3. Add the slice bananas and stir to coat. Add the maple syrup and bring just to bubbling.

4. Remove from heat to cool slightly.

Serve the bananas warm over the waffles.