Strawberry Heart Waffles (Print Version)

Golden heart-shaped waffles with creamy cottage cheese whip and fresh strawberries for a delightful start.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Waffles

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1¾ cups whole milk
07 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For the Cottage Cheese Whip

09 - 1 cup cottage cheese, full-fat or low-fat
10 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
11 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - ¼ cup heavy cream

→ For the Strawberry Topping

13 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your heart-shaped waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat eggs thoroughly, then add whole milk, melted cooled butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Do not overmix to maintain tender waffles.
05 - Lightly grease the waffle iron with butter or cooking spray. Pour batter onto the iron and cook until golden and crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch. Repeat with remaining batter.
06 - While waffles cook, add cottage cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, then add heavy cream and continue blending until light and whipped, approximately 2 minutes.
07 - Toss sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release juices and develop flavor.
08 - Arrange warm waffles on serving plates. Top each waffle generously with cottage cheese whip and macerated strawberries. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The cottage cheese whip is secretly higher in protein than traditional whipped cream, so you feel full and satisfied without the guilt.
  • Heart-shaped waffles make even a weekday breakfast feel like a small celebration, and honestly, that matters more than we admit.
  • Fresh strawberries macerated with lemon juice transform from simple fruit into something bright and sophisticated.
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter is the enemy—I spent my first attempt wondering why the waffles were chewy until someone told me that mixing too much develops gluten, which makes them tough instead of tender.
  • The cottage cheese absolutely must be blended smooth before adding the heavy cream, or you'll end up with a whipped topping that has unappetizing chunks.
03 -
  • Don't pour batter onto a cold waffle iron or even one that's just barely warm—wait for the indicator light to tell you it's fully preheated, otherwise the outside will cook before the inside sets.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, keep finished waffles warm in a 200-degree oven on a wire rack so they stay crispy on the bottom instead of getting steamed and soggy.
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