Swedish
Våfflor
Crisp Swedish heart waffles made with cold batter and folded whipped cream, served straight from the iron. They are best with a spoonful of berry jam and soft whipped cream, just as for våffeldagen.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour120g
- Baking powder1 tsp
- Fine salt1 pinch
- Cold sparkling water200ml
- Unsalted butter, melted and cooled40g, plus more for the iron
- Heavy whipping cream, cold150ml
- Cloudberry, lingonberry, or strawberry jam4 tbsp, to serve
- Whipped cream100ml, to serve
Method
- Preheat a Swedish heart-shaped waffle iron until fully hot.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
- Pour in the cold sparkling water and whisk just until smooth; do not overmix.
- Whisk in the melted, cooled butter.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream to soft peaks, then gently fold it into the batter.
- Let the batter stand for 5 minutes while the waffle iron finishes heating.
- Brush the hot waffle iron lightly with melted butter for the first waffle.
- Ladle in enough batter to just fill the iron, close it, and cook until the waffle is golden, crisp, and no longer steaming heavily, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Lift the waffle out carefully and serve immediately, or place it briefly on a wire rack to keep it crisp while cooking the remaining batter.
- Serve the warm waffles with jam and a spoonful of whipped cream.
Common questions
Can I substitute the sparkling water in Swedish waffles if I don’t have any on hand?
Yes. Use very cold still water or milk, but the texture will be a little less light. For the closest result, use chilled club soda or seltzer and mix only until just combined.
How long should I cook Våfflor, and how do I know when they’re done?
Cook them about 3 to 4 minutes, depending on your iron. They’re ready when deeply golden, crisp, and the steam slows down a lot. If they soften right away, cook a bit longer.
What are the most common mistakes when making Swedish waffles?
Overmixing the batter makes them dense. Another mistake is using lukewarm ingredients, which reduces lift. Also avoid opening the iron too soon, or the waffles may tear and stay pale and soft.
Can I make the batter or cooked waffles ahead of time?
The batter is best used soon after mixing, though it can rest about 5 minutes before cooking. Cooked waffles are best served immediately, but you can keep them on a wire rack in a low oven briefly.
What are the best ways to serve Swedish heart-shaped waffles?
Serve them warm with cloudberry, lingonberry, or strawberry jam and a spoonful of whipped cream. For a more traditional presentation, stack them loosely so they stay crisp, and add the toppings just before eating.