Can I use pancake mix?

Yes, you can with a few changes. The main difference between waffle batter and pancake batter is that waffle batter is thicker and requires a bit more fat and sugar to create that crispy exterior. To use pancake mix, use two cups and increase the oil to 1/2 cup and add two tablespoons of brown sugar and three teaspoons of cinnamon. You can also use the recipe right off the Bisquick box plus cinnamon with great results. (My 15yr old son makes these for the family using Bisquick all the time, and they are delicious!)

Can I use store-bought icing?

Definitely! While the homemade icing version is absolutely delicious, if you are in a hurry, store-bought cream cheese icing can be used; just warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds to make it pourable.

Can I use white sugar instead of brown in the waffle batter?

Yes, either type of sugar will work in the waffle batter though the taste and texture may be slightly different.

What kind of waffle maker do you recommend?

I have used all types of waffle makers over the years, and they have all been pretty good. The two waffle makers I have high now are the Dash single-serve waffle maker (it's only $10) and the Cuisinart Flip Belgian Waffle Maker . (I used the dash single serve for today's photos, just because it makes the prettiest sized round waffles, but when cooking for the family, we use the larger Cuisinart waffle maker.

Cinnamon Waffles with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing

Description

Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, these cinnamon waffles topped with cream cheese icing take breakfast waffles to a new level!

Ingredients

Scale

Cinnamon Waffles:

1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon

Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing:

4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1.5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 to 6 tablespoons of milk

Instructions

Waffles:

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon until blended. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, vanilla, and eggs.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined (a few small lumps are okay).
Preheat your waffle iron. Add the batter and cook according to your waffle maker’s directions.
Serve warm, and top Cream Cheese icing.

Icing:

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese.
Add Vanilla and 4 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth.
Add powdered sugar, about a half cup at a time, and blend till smooth. For thinner icing, you can add up to 2 additional tablespoons of milk. (Only add about 1/2 tablespoon at a time to get the desired consistency.)
Pour over waffles.

Notes

For even more pourable icing, you can warm the icing in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds.