Easy Buttermilk Waffles with Mixed Berry Preserves — These homemade buttermilk waffles are ready in minutes. They’re as fast and easy as using a boxed mix, but SO much better! They’re crispy on the outside, yet softer and fluffier in the interior!
Fluffy Buttermilk Waffles Recipe
I may never make another pancake after making these easy homemade waffles. They taste like pancake-house waffles, and are mindlessly easy to make.
I don’t know why I haven’t made waffles in ages, but I was doing some cupboard rearranging and noticed my very neglected waffle maker. So I dusted it off and made classic buttermilk waffles.
They’re crispy on the outside, yet softer and fluffier in the interior. As fast and easy as using boxed pancake mix, but so much better.
I prefer waffles to pancakes by a longshot, for so many reasons. Usually after a plate of pancakes, I feel like I have a 10-pound bowling ball in my stomach for most of the day, but don’t as much with waffles.
Even though pancake batter and waffle batter can be interchangeable many times, waffles seem lighter and fluffier to me. Bonus.
With pancakes, getting just the right amount of batter so they’re not paper thin, but not too thick or else they never really cook though, can be tricky. And I’m horrible at flipping them. I’ve been known to accidentally flip a pancake onto the neighboring pancakes, thereby mutilating a whole skillet of pancakes in one fell swoop.
With a waffle maker, you just close the lid. How nice.
They’re so easy to make. Dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another, pour wet over dry, mix until just combined. Don’t overmix or you’ll have tough pancakes. Lumps are supposed to be present.
I made the berry preserves by combining a one-pound bag frozen mixed berries from Trader Joe’s, with sugar, and the juice of one lemon. The recipe makes 1 pint of preserves and whatever you don’t use on your waffles is perfect for anything you normally put jam or jelly on.
The sweet berries, contrasted with the very subtle tarter lemon, and will make you want to eat this straight from the jar. I did.
Or have another waffle just so you can have more preserves.
What’s in Buttermilk Waffles?
To make this fluffy waffle recipe, you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder and baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Buttermilk
- Egg
- Canola oil
- Vanilla extract
And for the mixed berry preserves, you’ll need:
- Frozen mixed berries
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice
How to Make Buttermilk Waffles
You’ll first need to make the mixed berry preserves so they have time to cool somewhat before being spooned over the easy homemade waffles. The preserves are simple to make — combine everything in a saucepan and let simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 45 minutes.
Once the preserves have been set aside, start on the waffle batter. Whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another, then combine the two.
When your waffle maker is hot, add the batter, leaving a bare margin of about 1/2-inch on all sides. Cook as manufacturer’s directions indicate, or until waffles are done, cooked through, and lightly golden.
Top the buttermilk waffles with the berry preserves, or your favorite waffle toppings.
More Waffle Topping Ideas to Try
These fluffy buttermilk waffles are the perfect base for so many waffle toppings! Here are a few more ideas in case you don’t want to make the preserves:
- 10-Minute Homemade Hot Fudge
- Cabernet Cranberry and Blueberry Sauce
- The Best and Easiest Salted Caramel Sauce
- Cranberry and Currant Sauce
- Homemade Peanut Butter
- Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter
Can I Freeze Waffles?
Yes, you can easily freeze these fluffy buttermilk waffles. Let them cool completely, then place them on a baking tray and freeze. Once hardened, seal in a freezer bag. To reheat, toast in a toaster or gently reheat in the microwave.
Can I Use a Buttermilk Substitute?
If you don’t routinely keep buttermilk on hand, I highly recommend this Powdered Buttermilk. If you don’t use buttermilk much, but sometimes see a recipe that needs a half cup, but think you won’t use the rest of the jug before it goes bad, so you opt of trying the recipe, then the powder is for you. Shelf stable, keeps for ages.
Or make buttermilk by souring your own milk. Add about 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup milk, wait for 10 minutes for it to curdle, then use as indicated.
Tips for the Best Buttermilk Waffles
Note that you don’t need to beat any egg whites for this easy homemade waffle recipe. As long as you don’t overmix the batter, these waffles should turn out perfectly fluffy.
I kept the buttermilk waffle recipe small, but feel free to double, triple, as needed. It makes just 6 small square waffles in my waffle maker. Make a double batch and freeze some for busy weekday morning DIY toaster waffles. I prefer putting one of these into the toaster than an Eggo.
The berry preserves can be made up to a week in advance, so feel free to make a big batch at the start of the week to use on your waffles each morning.
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Easy Buttermilk Waffles with Mixed Berry and Lemon Preserves
Ingredients
Mixed Berry and Lemon Preserves
- 16 ounces frozen mixed berries, or fresh, can be used frozen or thawed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, reduce to 1/2 cup if your berries are quite sweet, mine weren’t
- juice of 1 lemon, reduce to half lemon, or to taste, if preferred
Waffles
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt, optional and to taste
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil, 1/4 cup unsalted melted butter may be substituted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Mixed Berry and Lemon Preserves:
- In a medium saucepan, combine berries, sugar, lemon , and heat uncovered over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves.
- After mixture is boiling rapidly, turn heat down to low or medium-low, and allow mixture to simmer uncovered for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until the liquid volume has reduced by half and mixture has thickened some. The sauce doesn’t get ‘thick’ per se, but it does tighten up as the liquid volume reduces. I used frozen berries straight from the freezer without thawing fist, and needed to simmer for 45 minutes. If your fruit is already thawed, the simmering time will be reduced.
- Transfer preserves to a glass jar with a lid, or heat-safe container; set aside.
For the Waffles:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine first 6 dry ingredients (through optional salt); set aside.
- In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, whisk remaining 4 wet ingredients.
- Pour wet mixture over dry, and stir gently until just combined; don’t overmix. Batter will be thick and with some lumps, don’t try to stir them smooth or waffles will be tough.
- Preheat waffle maker to manufacturer’s directions, and spray grates with cooking spray.
- When waffle maker is hot, add batter, leaving a bare margin of about 1/2-inch on all sides. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or as manufacturer’s directions indicate, or until waffles are done, cooked through, and lightly golden.
- Carefully remove waffles, place on serving plate, and top with mixed berry preserves. Optionally, dust with confectioners’ sugar, serve with maple syrup, or with your favorite waffle topping.
Notes
- Extra preserves will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week and up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. I have not tried canning this with a water bath so cannot speak to processing times.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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My pancake making improved 1000% after we were given a pancake griddle–the temp is so much easier to control than on the stovetop, fewer problems with sticking (unless I put blueberries or bananas in them), and I can make 8 at once (my family goes through a LOT of pancakes). I put it to use this morning as I was making my favorite gingerbread pancakes from you. :)
Hubby makes the waffles in our house–we have inherited his grandmother’s waffle maker and he won’t trust it to anyone but himself. So sometimes I get the luxury of staying in bed while he is cooking, for a change! I may have to point him toward your new recipe. We love us some carbs that we can top with … more carbs.
I have heard that about a pancake griddle. That everything is SO much easier, the workspace, flipping, temp control, etc. Yeah maybe I should get one. Wah. Another thing to store and deal with though…
And I think you should just let hubby continue to make the waffles and be possessive over the antique, so you can continue to just play dumb and stay in bed :)
My kind of breakfast—I can plainly see how light and fluffy these waffles are from your gorgeous pics! The berry preserves just top it all off perfectly. Simply gorgeous waffles, Averie! Pinned. :)
Thanks for the compliments & pin!
Definitely requesting these for valentine’s morning :) they look so amazing!!
I’m coming over for breakfast! And that drizzle shot = perfection! I need to get some pointers from you!
Girl. It’s the other way around, but thank you. I emailed you :) And thanks for the tweet, pins, and all the love :)
Averie, these photos…they’re too much. I’m in love.
And thanks for the BHG pin. You are too kind :)
Man alive, Averie! These have to be the best looking waffles around. Everyone needs a solid waffle recipe for Sunday mornings (and maybe weeknight dinners?!). I’m looking forward to many room service belgian waffle breakfasts on our honeymoon later this year, but something tells me that I’ll be craving a giant plate of these every morning until then. Gotta try them!
PS: such pretty pics.
Thanks for the compliments and pins :) And yes, a solid, easy, go-to buttermilk waffle recipe that’s foolproof. What I wouldnt give though for room service. Or someone to make me breakfast in bed. I can dream :)
These waffles are perfection, love the mixed berry-lemon topping!
This lemony berry topping is right up your alley :)
These make me wish I had a waffle maker! The berry- lemon preserves ARE good! My husband’s birthday was a couple of weeks ago but the big bash was last night and I had leftover fruit. The pineapple went in the freezer, the grapes are in the fridge, and the strawberries and blueberries went into a saucepan this am. I ate it straight from a bowl while it was a little warm….this is another versatile topping!
I didnt have one for years, then forgot about it, and finally it got dusted off. So much easier than pancakes, Paula. I dont think I’ll ever want to fuss with pancakes again :) And your topping, still warm, sounds so good!
Oh wow! I thought I could never betray my precious pancakes with waffles, but I got to say this recipe makes me think otherwise!
LOL. Thanks, Farah :)
Just finished having pancakes for breakfast and now seeing these delicious waffles, YUM! I love the preserves, it does so much for the waffles!
Thanks, Layla!
I cannot make pancakes to save my life so I love finding new waffle recipes…this looks like another good one! Great tip on powdered buttermilk. I’ve never seen it but I’ll definitely be on the look-out now. Thanks for another yummy, must-make-soon recipe Averie!
The powdered b-milk is super handy. They sell it in the baking aisle of many groc stores. Check around! And yes to what you said about pancake making. I can relate!
Waffles are truly great, but your look so incredibly light! Wow and those preserves too!! Such gorgeous photos! The waffles and preserves really pop off the page!
Thanks, Tieghan! I appreciate it! Those last cookies of yours were popping off the page, too :)
I never understand why some people are afraid of homemade pancakes/waffles and insist on buying the mixes. Homemade really is easy. And waffles are even easier than pancakes, you’re right! Lovely recipe and beautiful photos, too! :)
Thanks, Maryea! I agree with everything you said. And not to mention, it’s dirt cheap to DIY whereas those mixes are so much more expensive on a bite for bite basis. I’m sure as a mom you think of stuff like this too :)
I wish I had not eaten breakfast already–I would totally make these right now. Lunch or Brinner (breakfast for dinner)?
Lunch or brinner! Yes for sure :)
I’ve been craving waffles lately and this is such a classic recipe! My waffle maker doesn’t get used enough either. Love jam and maple syrup with waffles. This needs to be breakfast!
I was reminded how much I loathe pancake-making after dusting off my waffle maker!
These have got my name written all over them. While I may still love yeasted waffles better; on days when I forget to prepare one I am sure to use this recipe for buttery, crisp waffle perfection!
I love yeasted too, but they are an overnight planning session. These? 15 mins :)