Liège Waffles with Caramelised Pearl Sugar

Method

1. Pour the lukewarm milk (about 35 °C) into a large bowl, stir in the yeast and brown sugar and leave for 5 min. A light foam on top tells you the yeast is alive.

   Add in this stepMilk, lukewarm 65 mlInstant dried yeast 3 gLight brown sugar 15 g

2. Beat the egg in a cup; if your amount is half an egg, beat one and use half. Add the flour, egg, salt and vanilla to the bowl, stir with a spatula until it comes together, then knead by hand or with a mixer for 6 min into a smooth, elastic dough. It is sticky at first and becomes smoother as you knead.

   Add in this stepStrong (bread) flour 150 gEgg, beaten 1Salt ¼ tspVanilla extract ½ tsp

3. Add the soft butter in 3 or 4 additions, kneading for 6 min more. The dough will look greasy and as if it is splitting; that is normal, so keep going until all the butter is absorbed and the dough is glossy and supple.

   Add in this stepButter, soft at room temperature 90 g

4. Cover the bowl and leave in a warm place for 1 h, until almost doubled. If you have time, a further night in the fridge gives deeper flavour.

5. Press the air out of the risen dough and gently knead in the pearl sugar, folding so it is evenly spread. Divide into 4 × 115 g balls, cover and rest for 15 min. Add the pearl sugar only now, just before baking, so it does not dissolve.

   Add in this stepPearl sugar (or sugar cubes crushed into 5 mm pieces) 90 g

6. Preheat the waffle iron to a medium setting; on the highest setting the sugar burns and turns bitter. Place a dough ball in the centre of each grid, close the lid and bake for 3 min 30 sec per batch, until the outside is caramelised to a deep amber. Total batches: 2. Melted sugar is extremely hot: never touch it with bare fingers and lift the waffles out with a fork or tongs.

7. Cool on a rack for 2 minutes so the caramel sets and turns crisp (and so you do not burn your mouth). In Liège they are eaten warm and plain. Wipe caramelised sugar off the plates with a damp cloth once the iron is switched off and just warm.