These neapolitan waffles are three types of batter cooked together to form a breakfast version of the classic ice cream flavor.
When I was asked to participate in Waffle Week 2015 I knew I had to come up with something really good. For weeks I watched my fellow bloggers come up with great recipe ideas and I still had nothing. Then one day the idea for these neapolitan waffles just came to me. But could I actually pull it off? I had never attempted to make a striped waffle before, and it had a high potential to be a complete flop. But I am happy to say that these neapolitan waffles were a total success AND they’re really not hard to make at all.For this recipe I started with my standard buttermilk waffle recipe. Nothing fancy, just your typical flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, butter kind of thing. I divided the batter into three separate bowls and flavored each one separately.
For the chocolate batter, I stirred in some melted chocolate chips. I added a healthy splash of vanilla extract to the second bowl. For the third bowl, I ground up freeze dried strawberries and added the strawberry powder to the batter. The strawberries added a lot of natural pink color to the batter but I also used a few drops of red food coloring to amp up the color contrast. I set up my waffle iron, put a strip of each type of batter into the well and held my breath. Would it work? Or would the batters all mix together in a disgusting looking mess?
IT WORKED. The batter is quite thick so the colors cooked up nicely right next to each other without spreading into unwanted territory. The next factor: how did it taste? You can definitely taste that there are three different batters but none of the flavors are overpowering. I kept the flavors on the more subtle side so that they wouldn’t compete and I was concerned that if I added too much strawberry powder or chocolate it would negatively affect the texture of the waffles. So what I ended up with were perfectly fluffy waffles with distinct strawberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors that went together perfectly. But clearly you can’t top a neapolitan waffle with maple syrup, right?
I resisted the urge to cover these waffles in neapolitan ice cream and instead went with a slightly more restrained chocolate sauce, vanilla yogurt and fresh strawberries – because that’s more appropriate for breakfast. Although you could most definitely use ice cream to create a fun and decadent dessert.
I’m telling you, these neapolitan waffles are a must-try. They’re just slightly more work than a regular waffle but it’s totally worth it for the wow factor. For more waffle goodness, check out the other Waffle Week participants!
Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!
Neapolitan Waffles
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups of buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips melted
- 2/3 cup of freeze dried strawberries ground into a powder in the food processor
- 2-3 drops of red food coloring optional
- Chocolate sauce vanilla yogurt and fresh strawberries for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, butter and eggs; add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between three bowls. In one bowl, stir in the vanilla extract. In another bowl, stir in the melted chocolate until thoroughly combined. In the third bowl, stir in the strawberry powder and red food color if using.
- Coat the waffle iron with cooking spray. Take a heaping spoonful of the strawberry batter and pour it into a stripe in the waffle iron; use the back of the spoon to spread it into place if needed. Spoon a stripe of the vanilla batter next to the strawberry batter, spreading it into place. Put a stripe of chocolate batter next to the waffle batter. All three lines of batter should be touching each other.
- Close the waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer instructions (my waffles cook for 4-5 minutes). Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter.
- Serve the waffles with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a dollop of vanilla yogurt and fresh strawberries.
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Yes, yes, yes! They turned out perfectly!
Teri@The Freshman Cook says
What a wonderful idea! They look amazing!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I LOVE this idea! PInning!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Wow these are simply stunning. Love the colors!
Kimberly says
Holy guacamole … these are the cutest waffles ever! Seriously … ever!
And I can only imagine how good they are … chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla … waffle perfection!
Karen @BakingInATornado says
Not only do these sound delicious. but they are truly a work of art.
I’m so happy to be involved in this project with so many talented bloggers.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
Oh my gosh…..you should patent these.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I think it is fair to say this is a ridiculously successful waffle. They look perfect and I bet they taste even better!!!!!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
These are so fun and unique Sara! I can’t wait to try these out. I am so surprised that the batter didn’t all mix together in the waffle iron to make a big, hot mess. You are brilliant!
Find My Rice says
This is a great idea! Great thing you didn’t let your fears get to you. It’s always good to take risks especially in cooking. 😀 Can’t stop looking at these. Sooo yummy!
– Regine
Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner says
WOW – this is one creative waffle! What a great idea – wish it was my breakfast tomorrow!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Oh my goodness! Seriously so creative! I can barely master a regular waffle and you’ve done a tri-colored one! I need to get on the ball! Love this recipe and how fun they are!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Um, brilliant idea. This is amazing, such a fun breakfast. I am definitely trying that soon! Pinned!
Cookin Canuck says
What a fun idea! And pureeing the freeze dried strawberries is such a fantastic way to add in that strawberry flavor and color.
Ali @ Home & Plate says
What a fabulous idea. My kids would love these. The pictures are amazing and makes me want to reach through and just taste them.
Christie says
These are absolutely amazing. I love the tri-color effect and the flavors all in one waffle. Brilliant!
Marye says
Oh my gosh! These waffles look so fun, and yummy!
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
These look gorgeous and fantastic! Amazing pictures, Sara! How fun with all the different colors, love all the strawberries on top!
Kristina says
these are super fun! also, I LOVE your sauce ladle – I have four of those, vintage, different sizes and colors. so fun, my mom had them when I was a kid. 🙂
Sara says
I have a yellow ladle too, my mom goes to all the antique shows to buy my props!
Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits says
They are gorgeous, I’ve never seen such fabulous looking waffles!