Name: Hard Cider Waffles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 Tbsp granulated sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; 6 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup low-fat buttermilk; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups hard cider, (divided); 1/4 cup maple syrup

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Hard Cider for breakfast? It's totally acceptable with these Hard Cider Waffles makes with cider in both the waffle batter and the maple syrup. Happy fall!

I've heard people touting that hard cider is just for girls who don’t like beer. I vehemently disagree. I love beer of all styles. But I also love cider. In fact, I don’t quite understand how there are people out there who don’t like cider. It’s apples. And alcohol. I mean, you hear about people all the time who don’t like bananas. Even cantaloupe can be a little bit controversial. But have you ever heard of anyone who doesn’t like apples?? Unless you're not an alcohol drinker, how could you not like apples and alcohol combined into one delicious drink??

So, if you are a fan of cider, what do you do when Woodchuck sends you an exquisite wood case holding two cans of Hard Cider? You have them for breakfast, of course. Duh.

Really, thse hard cider waffles would have made an amazing Thursday morning breakfast. But unfortunately, I don’t have a plethora of time to hang out in the kitchen before catching my 6:30 a.m. train to Boston. So, activities like alcoholic waffle making are saved for quiet, low-key Sundays. I guess it’s probably better that way?

That could be argued.

HARD CIDER WAFFLES RECIPE

Believe it or not, hard cider makes a really delicious waffle batter. It's easy to make, but requires a little heating and tempering. Once the batter is ready, simply make waffles as you normally would with your waffle maker. And serve with maple syrup that's been simmered with some hard cider.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Stir in the buttermilk.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together eggs and 1 cup cider. Slowly pour half of the hot buttermilk into the egg and cider mixture, whisking while you pour. Then pour the entire egg/cider/buttermilk mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the buttermilk and whisk until well combined.

Pour hot mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir until just combined, making sure no lumps remain.

Heat waffle iron and lightly brush with oil. Pour batter into iron, close iron, and bake until golden brown.

While waffles are cooking whip up the maple syrup. Simply put maple syrup and ½ cup hard cider in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Then lower heat and let simmer for about 6 minutes, until mixture thickens a bit.

Breakfast is served.

Now, excuse me while I absolutely drench these hard cider waffles in hard cider maple syrup and eat an entire stack of them. Maybe two stacks.

I’m always up for waffles and love coming up with new flavor combinations, but my favorite thing about these is that you could actually taste the hard cider in them. Not in an “omg I’m feeling tipsy” kind of way, but in a distinct “there is hard cider in these waffles and it’s amazing” kind of way.

Also, that glass of cider in the background of the photos? It has a cinnamon sugar rim and Chris may or may no have drank it along with the hard cider waffles for breakfast. He claimed he didn’t want to waste it. And I definitely can’t hate on him for that.

I also just love that hard cider comes in cans now. Don’t get me wrong, I get that drinking out of a bottle or pouring your beer into a glass is often thought of as “classier,” but the can is making a total comeback. More and more craft beers are being sold in cans and I’m all about it. Though, if I’m going to be holding this can outside, I’m totally going to need to don a pair of mittens. I mean, it’s freaking cold out.

Which is just one more reason you need to warm up with a nice hot breakfast. And well, the hard cider doesn’t hurt in terms of warming you up, either.

Just probably not on a work day.

But seriously, you do you. I'm the last person to judge.

Are you a hard cider drinker?

If you're looking for more fall breakfast ideas, check out my Autumn French Toast Egg Sandwiches and my Pumpkin Muesli. And if you want to incorporate hard cider into more baked goods, try this Hard Cider Beer Bread from Flavor the Moments!

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