Get excited. There’s a #VirutalPumpkinParty going on today (with 70+ bloggers!), and I’m bringing these Yeasted Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Ginger to the table.
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First, let’s talk yeasted waffles, also known as raised or overnight waffles. I’m obsessed. A yeasted waffle is leavened with yeast instead of baking powder/soda, buttermilk or whipped egg whites. Prepared the night before, the batter bubbles and rises as the yeast consumes sugar. The finished waffles have a crisp, airy texture with a pleasant, somewhat sour yeast flavor. Aside from the flavor, what I love most about yeasted waffles is the advanced preparation. You can do all the heavy lifting the night before, and then crank out a A+ breakfast the next day with minimal effort.
Now, let’s talk about these yeasted waffles. Flavored with pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger, my Yeasted Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Ginger are pure autumn. I’ve thrown candied ginger into the mix to amp up the ginger flavor in my pumpkin spice blend. Its mellow burn also adds some intrigue with each bite. The waffles are finished with maple syrup and toasted walnuts for crunch. Oh, and the AROMA!!! You guys, the smells that waft from the iron as the waffles cook are HEAVEN. Continue reading for the recipe plus all the other #VirtualPumpkinParty goodies.
Just this week, I was catching up on the Good Food podcast, and they shared a fascinating interview with Cindy Ott, the author of Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon. The gist of the interview is that throughout the ages, the pumpkin has always transcended itself. In the early 19th century, when people started moving from farms into cities, the pumpkin (left behind on the farm) was a nostalgic symbol of farm life and making a living off the land. Nowadays, you get a similar sense with pumpkin spice. Pumpkin spice products (often pumpkin-less) bring on a sense of fall. A sense of coziness. Something old-fashioned. As Americans, we often find more value in what the pumpkin represents rather than what the pumpkin actually is.
Hopefully, these pumpkin waffles plus the 60+ pumpkin recipes below will help us all love the pumpkin for what it is along with what it represents 🙂
Yeasted Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Ginger
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water (between 105°F and 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
- 2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) butter, melted and cooled
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger plus more for sprinkling
Chopped toasted walnuts, for sprinkling
Maple syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
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Combine water and yeast in a small bowl, stirring to combine. Let sit for 15 minutes.
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Meanwhile, whisk together flour, sugars, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and clove in a large bowl. Once the yeast has sat for 15 minutes, whisk the milk into the dry ingredients followed by the yeast (with water), pumpkin and melted butter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. At this point, you can let the batter rise in the refrigerator for sweeter waffles or let rise on the counter top for more sour/yeasty waffles.
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The next morning, uncover the bowl, and stir in the eggs and baking powder until smooth. Preheat a waffle iron and lightly coat the plates with nonstick spray. Scoop 1/2 cup of batter in each well*. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of crystallized ginger over each well, close the waffle iron, and cook until golden brown.
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Sprinkle waffles with crystallized ginger and chopped walnuts, and enjoy immediately with maple syrup. If making waffles for a crowd, prepare in batches and keep waffles warm in a 250°F oven until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
* Waffle irons can vary greatly. The one I used here makes 4 square waffles. Adjust the batter and crystallized ginger measurements accordingly.
Now take a look at all of the other beauties that showed up to the #VirtualPumpkinParty:
A Couple Cooks • Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter
I Am a Food Blog • Roasted Pumpkin and Pork Stuffed Shells
Well and Full • Harissa-Spiced Pumpkin Gnocchi
Loves Food, Loves to Eat • Pumpkin Pork Burrito Bowls
Girl Versus Dough • Pumpkin Challah
Snixy Kitchen • Black Sesame Pumpkin Mochi Cake
Hungry Girl por Vida • Pumpkin Chocolate Crumb Cake
Donuts, Dresses and Dirt • Pumpkin Spice Latte Truffles
Two Red Bowls • Pumpkin & Caramelized Onion Galette
The Frosted Vegan • Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Gingersnaps
Warm Vanilla Sugar • Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Ice Cream + Affogato
An Edible Mosaic • Pumpkin Spice Latte Snack Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream
Kitchen Konfidence • Yeasted Pumpkin Waffles with Candied Ginger
Chocolate + Marrow • Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Butter Swirl
The Pig & Quill • Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes with Pumpkin Spice Caramel + Coconut Cream
Salt & Wind • Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Muffins with Pepita Streusel
With Food + Love • Creamy Pumpkin Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Beets
A Cookie Named Desire • Pumpkin Crepes with Cinnamon Ginger Cheesecake
Nommable • Pumpkin Moon Pies
Feed Me Phoebe • Thai Pumpkin Curry with Shrimp and Bok Choy
The Yellow Table • Coconut-Curry Pumpkin Soup
Ginger & Toasted Sesame • Pumpkin Ricotta Gnudi
The Crepes of Wrath • Pumpkin Pie Cake
The Swirling Spoon • Pumpkin Hand Pies
Erin Made This • Pumpkin Rye Waffles with Coconut Caramel
Earthy Feast • Pumpkin-Stuffed Turnip-Ravioli with Pepita Pesto
Broma Bakery • Pumpkin Pie White Chocolate Brownies
Floating Kitchen • Pumpkin Beertail with Tequila and Spiced Rum
The Sugar Hit • Pumpkin Everything Bagels
The Bojon Gourmet • Pumpkin Flatbread with Gruyére and Crispy Sage (gluten-free)
Sprinkled with Jules • Pumpkin Spice French Macarons
Feast + West • Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Toffee Bark
Jojotastic • Pumpkin Cinnamon Rimming Sugar
Fix Feast Flair • Pumpkin Spice Japanese Cheesecake
Appeasing a Food Geek • Pumpkin Ale Cake
Tending the Table • Roasted Pumpkin with Tamarind and Coriander Chutney
Long Distance Baking • Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream + Pumpkin Pancakes
My Blue & White Kitchen • Roasted Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Prosciutto
Fork Vs. Spoon • Pumpkin Buttermilk Pudding
Alyssa & Carla • Pumpkin Tea Bread (in a Coffee Can!)
Twin Stripe • Pumpkin Spice Toffee
Le Jus d’Orange • Lentil-Stuffed Acorn Squash, Crispy King Oyster Bacon + Aged Goat Cheese
The Scratch Artist • Japanese Pumpkin Temaki with Ginger Kale Chips
Brewing Happiness • Caramelized Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Blogging Over Thyme • Homemade Candied Pecan Pumpkin Ice Cream Drumsticks
Heartbeet Kitchen • Pumpkin Swirled Mashed Potatoes
The Speckled Palate • Pumpkin Brown Butter Streusel Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt • Pumpkin Gingersnap Pie
Style Sweet CA • Chocolate Stout and Pumpkin Checkerboard Cake
Fork to Belly • Pumpkin Orange Brulee Pie
Tasty Yummies • Grain-Free Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Påte á Chew • Pumpkin Almond Cake with Almond Butter Frosting
Holly & Flora • Pumpkin Pie Martini with Coconut Cream + Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Southern Soufflé • Sorghum Pumpkin Soufflés
Okie Dokie Artichokie • Creamy Pumpkin and Chorizo Pasta Bake, Cheese Tortellini, Sage-Mascarpone Sauce, Toasted Hazelnuts
Kale & Caramel • Pumpkin Goat Cheese Polenta with Brown Butter Thyme Mushrooms & Kale
The Little Epicurean • Maple Pumpkin Butter Brioche Toast
Vigor and Sage • Maple Pumpkin Harvest Smoothie
Tried and Tasty • Whole Wheat Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Sprouted Routes • Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Sweet & Spicy Roasted Pepitas (gluten free)
The Fauxmartha • Baked Pumpkin Donuts
So… Let’s Hang Out • Grain-Free Apple Crumble Pumpkin Pie
Wit & Vinegar • Pumpkin Flaxseed Dog Treats
Dunk & Crumble • Pumpkin Roundup
Biscuits and Such • Pumpkin Pound Cake
SugarHero! • Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Pound Cake
A Little Saffron • Spiced Pepita Brittle
Farmette • “Tis Different” Pumpkin Pie
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
I still have yet to make yeasted waffles, since I finally got my hands on a waffle maker this summer. AGH! Need to do something about this immediately, starting with your pumpkin ones 🙂 I love that you can make the batter ahead of time too. Perfect for lazy weekend mornings!
Brandon Matzek says
You seriously need to give them a try!! Yeasted waffles, pumpkin or otherwise, are a fun addition to the breakfast table. Thanks Laura!
Katrina says
I love a good yeasted waffle! Definitely need to hop on this pumpkin version – yum!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Katrina :)!! You’ll love this recipe if you love yeasted waffles. Enjoy!
Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist says
Hi Brandon! I am so happy that this #virtualpumpkinparty happened so that I could discover your wonderful blog! Sara did an amazing job organizing this whole thing. These yeasted waffles look amazing. I could literally smell them when I read your description. Thanks for sharing some pumpkin philosophy too, always appreciated. Happy pumpkin day!
Brandon Matzek says
Likewise!!! Thanks Kathryn.
Grace @ Earthy Feast says
Yay for pumpkin waffles! These look perfect! Happy pumpkin party day!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Grace!!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
My mom used to make yeasted waffles, they are soo good — and now you’ve gone and added pumpkin — I know what I’ll be doing this weekend 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Nice!!! I didn’t grow up with yeasted waffles, so I’m making up for lost time 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
That is quite a lineup of pumpkin recipes! And just when I thought I already pinned everything pumpkin, here’s 60 more 🙂
I have always wanted to try yeasted waffles but never have. I bet it helped them stay so light! And the make-ahead option, that’s nice for groggy mornings!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks Averie! Oh you should definitely give them a try. I think you’d like them.
Lily | Kale & Caramel says
Ermagerd THESE. ARE. EVERYTHING. I want my world to be full of yeasted waffles and hot waffle irons and warm maple syrup and all things pumpkin. I need to make these ASAP this weekend!
Brandon Matzek says
Hahaha thanks Lily!!! I will gladly join you there 🙂
Cindy says
I need a new waffle iron, STAT, so I can make these! They look amazing. Also, those mugs with the faces, I love them! PS, if you ever get your hands on some sourdough starter–sourdough waffles are incrdible.
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!!! Get that iron. Then make these :). Or perhaps I can just trade you for crumb cake? The mugs are from west elm!
aida mollenkamp says
I love me a good yeasted waffle and these sound fabulous!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Aida :)!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
Oh wow! Candied ginger and pumpkin sound SO GOOD together! Yum.
Brandon Matzek says
They are pretty much like bffs. Perfect together. Thanks Lauren!!
Brooke @ Chocolate + Marrow says
Brandon! I LOVE yeasted anything. Pancakes, blinis, waffles…and these waffles…with pumpkin and candied ginger? I love that extra touch of warmth. Would be perfect with that great sour yeast flavor.
Brandon Matzek says
You know… I’ve never made yeasted pancakes. I need to try that along with sourdough pancakes :). Thanks Brooke!
Vicky @Avocado Pesto says
Definitely love pumpkin for all it is! Interesting what that used to mean and what pumpkin currently means to people. These sound absolutely incredible. had never heard of yeasted waffled before but seems brilliant to me. And candied ginger? LOVE!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Vicky!! You need to try yeasted waffles at sometime (these pumpkin ones or regular)!!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Never tried pumpkin with ginger, but it sounds divine! Need to make these for breakfast ASAP!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Annie!! It’s a tasty combination 🙂
[email protected] says
I cannot believe this, I do not have a waffle maker! But I have tons of pumpkin puree lol.
Brandon Matzek says
Whaaaaaat!!!? Haha you should get one. Or maybe make yeasted pumpkin pancakes 😛
cristina says
Ok…you’ve inspired me to pull out my neglected waffle iron! How lovely does that sound, yeasted pumpkin waffles!! This would a delicious and memorable breakfast to make my mom and sister when they’re out visiting for Thanksgiving. LUV!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
I’ve never had yeasted waffles! Clearly I’m missing out!
Brandon Matzek says
Try them sometime! They’re truly a treat 🙂
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
Wow, what a fantastic collection of pumpkin recipes! Your waffles look amazing. I like the fact that the batter’s made the night before too. It makes my work in the morning so much easier!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Christiane! The advanced prep is crucial. My cooking skill level drastically decreases early in the morning :P. So it’s helpful for me to do all the heavy lifting the night before.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
Now THIS is a waffle – the candied ginger is genius!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Aly!
Susan says
I’m all about the yeasted waffle. I feel like there’s so much more flavor happening with the yeast. These sound delicious and that kick of candied ginger is the perfect touch.
Brandon Matzek says
Agreed!! Thanks Susan.
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
So amazing! You could not have made a more perfect recipe in my eyes. I love yeasted waffles, pumpkin waffles, AND candied ginger, so these are sooooo up my alley. Thanks for being a part of this party, Brandon! xoxo
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks for the kind words Sara and for organizing such a fun party!!
Sonja says
Brandon! I just moved in with my boyfriend and he’s been hinting at getting a waffle maker but I’ve been stubbornly saying no…
Recently I’ve been thinking about yeasted waffles (I randomly think about certain dishes, I’m sure you can relate) and when I saw this recipe I knew I had to give them a try. Maybe I’ll just bring a waffle maker home and pretend it was my idea 😛
Brandon Matzek says
Haha I too randomly think about certain dishes 😛 Go ahead and get that waffle iron, and treat your boyfriend (and yourself :)!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
I love your summary of Cindy’s book, which I have to get my hands on. I’m a history nerd and as I was carving pumpkins on Halloween, I was thinking about Americans and this thing we have with pumpkins. So interesting! Love the virtual pumpkin party, can’t wait to check out all those recipes…and your candied ginger!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Steph!! I think you’d definitely love that book.
Cheryl Hayes says
I love this recipe! Because I can’t eat wheat or dairy, I modified by adding 1 cup buckwheat flour and 3/4 cups of sorghum and tapioca flours. I added one can of full fat Thai Kitchen coconut milk instead of whole milk. Finally, I roasted and chopped 1/2 cup pecans and added them. I did leave the batch on the counter overnight. Perfect – is all I can say! Thanks for the recipe and I will be making this again!