The Story Behind the Liège Belgian Waffles — Moose Trackers (2024)

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The Story Behind the Liège Belgian Waffles — Moose Trackers? ›

Legend has it that the Liège waffle originated when the Prince-Bishop of Liège made a special request to his chef, asking him to prepare a special pastry made with the newly introduced baking ingredient “pearl sugar.” This specialty sugar can only be found in Belgium and takes on its powerful flavor when it comes in ...

Legend has it that the Liège waffle was invented when the Prince-Bishop of Liège, a city in the Belgian region of Wallonia, asked his cook to create a pastry made with lots of sugar. The Prince-Bishop's sweet tooth paid off for the rest of us, because Liege waffles have become a mainstay of Belgian cuisine.

The Belgian waffle debuted in 1958 in Brussels, Belgium at a world fair. A Belgian named Walter Cleyman first introduced the waffle to the US in 1962 at an exposition in Seattle. This was one of the first known appearances of whipped cream and strawberries on the waffle.

The Origins of Waffles

Waffles eventually made their way to medieval Europe in the 13th century, where they became a popular treat during religious festivals. The term “waffle” itself is derived from the Dutch word “wafel,” which referred to the honeycomb pattern found on the cakes. But that was then…and this is now.

In the 18Th century prince Bishop the prince of the city of liege ( east of Belgium ) decide to make a big festival for the kings and the princes of the neighborhoods he ask his chef to do a new kind of pastries that nobody knows, they call it Gaufre.

Through the decades, Belgium's waffle styles diversified, resulting in two distinct groups – the crunchier, bread-like Liege waffle and a softer, lighter Brussels variety made with a yeast-leavened batter. Today, the Liege waffle incorporates crystals of pearl sugar for more crunch and caramelization on the outside.

The secret ingredient in Belgian waffles is the pearl sugar, which gives the waffles a unique texture and slight, satisfying crunch. Belgian waffles are also fantastically light, which adds to their perfection. Fun bonus fact: traditional Belgian waffles are usually eaten with your hands, not a fork and knife.

On Belgium, we call it “gaufres” (in French) or “wafels” (in Flemish). This means in English just the word “waffles”.

In comparison to thick, rectangular Belgian waffles, German waffles are typically baked in a heart-shaped waffle maker and are much thinner. The batter has more sugar which makes the waffles incredibly delicious on their own. Belgian Liege waffles are typically sweeter as the batter includes pearl sugar.

Native to the greater Wallonia region of Eastern Belgium – and alternately known as gaufres de chasse (hunting waffles) – they are an adaptation of brioche bread dough, featuring chunks of pearl sugar which caramelize on the outside of the waffle when baked.

What's the difference between a waffle and a gaufre? ›

The main difference between these gaufres and regular waffles is that they are made with a yeast raised dough, not a batter, so rather tan being light and spongy they are dense and rich.

la gaufre. feminine noun. waffle. Collins Beginner's French-English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers.

Thomas Jefferson is said to have brought the first long-handled waffle iron to America in 1789. About 80 years later, in 1869, a Dutch-American called Cornelius Swarthout was granted a patent for the first waffle iron in the U.S. August 24th, the day this patent was granted, today is celebrated as National Waffle Day.

The Liège waffle named “gaufre de Liège” in French, is also known as “gaufre Liegeoise” (for its cinnamon flavour) or “sugar waffle” (pearl sugar). It is said to have been invented in Belgium by the cook of the Prince of the city of Liège in the 18th century.

On Belgium, we call it “gaufres” (in French) or “wafels” (in Flemish).

Medieval origins. In ancient times the Greeks cooked flat cakes, called obelios, between hot metal plates. As they were spread throughout medieval Europe, the cake mix, a mixture of flour, water or milk, and often eggs, became known as wafers and were also cooked over an open fire between iron plates with long handles.

The Brussels waffle has become a true culinary icon, embodying Belgian craftsmanship and gastronomic delight. It is a must-try in Belgian cuisine and a gustatory experience not to be missed when visiting the Belgian capital.