Liège Belgian Waffles with Pearl Sugar

Ingredients

• 1 package active dry yeast , .25 ounce
• 1.5 tablespoons white sugar
• 0.75 cups lukewarm milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup melted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 cups pearl sugar , such as Lars' Own®

Instructions

1. 1

   Sprinkle yeast and white sugar over warm milk in a small bowl. The milk should be no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Let stand for 15 minutes until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam.

2. 2

   Whisk eggs, melted butter, and vanilla into the yeast mixture until evenly blended; set aside.

3. 3

   Stir together flour and salt in a separate large bowl, and make a well in the center. Pour the egg mixture into the well, then stir in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place, 80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C), until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Gently mix in the pearl sugar.

4. 4

   Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.

5. 5

   Place a baseball-sized ball of dough on the preheated waffle iron. Cook waffles until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough. Allow waffles to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.