National Waffle Day

The waffle has travelled an impressive journey from medieval pious fare to brunch favourite. Medieval Europeans cooked unleavened communion wafers in patterned irons, and by the 13th century artisans began to sell thicker street waffles seasoned with honey and wine. Waffle irons with elaborate designs—coats of arms, biblical scenes and lattice patterns—were prized household possessions. In 1725 a Belgian baker added yeast and pearl sugar to create the crisp and caramelised Liège waffle. When Cornelius Swartwout patented the first American stovetop waffle iron on August 24 1869, he inadvertently created the date for National Waffle Day. His cast iron contraption had a handle that allowed cooks to flip the batter evenly over an open flame. Today waffles come in many forms: thin and crisp Brussels waffles dusted with powdered sugar, fluffy American diner waffles drowned in maple syrup, savoury cornmeal waffles topped with fried chicken. To celebrate, mix a batter of flour, eggs, milk and melted butter; fold in beaten egg whites for extra lift if you like. Heat your iron until a drop of batter sizzles, then pour and wait as the kitchen fills with the scent of browning batter. Waffles remind us that simple ingredients—grain, milk and eggs—can become something special with a hot iron and a little patience.