Overnight Waffles

Let the countdown begin! I am full-term now and just waiting on the newest member of our family to arrive. I feel like now and the beginning of pregnancy you pay attention to every little detail of your body... then because you are hoping you are pregnant before the test confirms it, and now because you are looking for signs of labor. I am still working out at least 5 days a week but have drastically slowed down. I am about 22 lbs up and showing signs that labor is *hopefully* soon. This week is bittersweet for me because, although I am excited to have a new baby, it is also the week Charlie is with her dad... yes, the week before my due date. Not ideal timing, but in the grand scheme of life and for the sake of being mature I didn't even say anything or argue. I don't need the cliche hospital photos anyway and it will still be a surprise if we add our new addition while she is away. We do plan on not announcing anything about the birth publicly until after she returns, however, so that it is a true surprise for her if it happens this week. :) Although this is the sixth summer, it never gets easier saying good-bye to your first baby. My only advice for those going through the same thing for the first time is to stay busy, make plans, and try to accomplish a task or something you haven't had time to do with kids around. Therefore, Mila and I are trying to stay busy this week and I am trying to enjoy my time with her since this is the last time she will be an only child when Charlie is away. The little stinker is probably not going to be thrilled with this new development! 

I am not going to lie, I don't make homemade waffles or pancakes very often. Kodiak cake pancake mix from Costco is a go-to as well as Trader Joe's who makes an excellent frozen version that is ready, without the mess, much faster than anything I could whip up before school! But on the weekends, or even now that it is summer break, making a homemade breakfast not only kills time with the kids in the morning, but is a lot more enjoyable for everyone since we aren't usually rushing off anywhere. These waffles are very old-school, often called "yeasted waffles." I found a very in a very old cookbook I was going through and made some changes. They are made the night before and placed in the fridge, ready to go when you are in the morning. The yeast makes them extra fluffy on the inside and you still get that amazing crispy-ness on the outside. Far superior to pancakes! I recommend making extra so you can freeze some yourself and pop them in the toaster in the future :) 

Overnight Waffles

(makes 8-10 waffles)

- 1 3/4 Milk (I used 2%)
- 4 Tbsp Butter (I always use Kerrygold)
- 1 Cup All-purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Whole-Wheat Flour (or all all-purpose)
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 1/2 tsp Rapid-rise Yeast (or instant yeast)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Cinnamon (optional)

The night before- 
1. Either in the microwave for 2 minutes, or on the stove, heat the milk and butter together until the butter is melted and the milk is warm. Let the mixture cool while you gather the other ingredients. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flours, sugar, yeast, salt and cinnamon. 
3. Add the eggs and vanilla, then slowly whisk in the warm milk mixture until smooth. 
4. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight... at least 10 hours. 

In the morning-
Your batter will have risen just like you and your children! 
Heat your waffle iron. 

When the iron is ready, remove the batter from the fridge and whisk. It will deflate. Pour the batter into the center as you normally would, close and cook until the waffle is golden brown. I usually use about 1 cup of batter for my square waffle iron that makes 4 at a time. 

Enjoy!