It’s February! With Valentine’s around the corner, this is the time of year most of us put some extra effort in to really show our loved ones how much they mean to us, like making them a delicious breakfast to enjoy in bed. There’s no better way to spoil your Valentine than with a relaxing morning where they can sleep in and wake up to freshly brewed coffee and their favorite breakfast all served in the comfort of their cozy bed.
Does your Valentine have a sweet tooth? These homemade fluffy pecan waffles topped with a rich strawberry sauce sweetened with honey sticks and an airy whipped cream are the perfect breakfast in bed meal to say “I love you”. Not to mention these classic waffles with a twist are incredibly easy to make but taste absolutely delicious. Here’s what you’ll need to make them yourself this Valentine’s Day:
Honey Strawberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 cups strawberries
- 3 tablespoons honey sticks
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2 lemons
Instructions
Begin the sauce by prepping the strawberries. Rinse them off well, remove the stem, and slice them into chunks. Next, place the strawberries into a bowl and carefully smash them to your desired consistency. In a pot or saucepan over medium heat, add in the strawberries as well as honey, vanilla, and the zest of both lemons. If desired, use flavored honey sticks, like cinnamon or orange, for an extra kick of flavor. Allow the ingredients to cook, stirring occasionally. In the meantime, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Once the sauce has slightly thickened over the heat, about 10 minutes, mix in the slurry to thicken it up even more. Allow everything to simmer for about 1 more minute and then immediately remove from the heat. Once cooled, the sauce is ready to serve.
Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
In a bowl, place the heavy cream and whip using a mixer with a whisk attachment. Once stiff peaks are just about to form, stir in the sugar and vanilla. Continue whisking until peaks are solid and whipped cream has formed.
Pecan Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ tablespoon salt
- 2 eggs
Instructions
In a bowl, sift in the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to remove lumps. Next, use a separate bowl to combine the milk, oil, and eggs. Mix until a smooth batter forms then continue mixing as you slowly add in the sifted dry ingredients. Once everything is evenly mixed and there are no lumps in the batter, your waffles are ready to cook. Spread the batter onto your waffle maker, sprinkle on a handful of pecan pieces, and cook according to the directions on the device, repeating until you have used up all the batter.
Putting The Meal Together
Once all three components have been made, your waffle meal is ready to come together. For every waffle, spead some salted butter over the top as well as the strawberry honey sauce. Finally, finish up your waffle stack with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of maple syrup or extra honey from honey sticks. Optionally, you can also cut some strawberries into hearts and place them around the plate for an even more beautiful presentation. To complete your meal, pair it with a side of diced fresh fruit, bacon, and your valentine’s morning drink of choice, like a hot cup of tea or a bubbly mimosa. Happy Valentines!