Apple Cinnamon Waffles with Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups white whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup diced apples (peeled first)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1.5 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted and cooled)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk*
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• seeds scraped from 1/2 a vanilla bean
• pinch fine sea salt

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the waffle iron to medium heat.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.

3. 3

   Mix in the wet ingredients except for the coconut oil.

4. 4

   Pour in the melted coconut oil and mix until smooth.

5. 5

   Spray the waffle iron with coconut oil cooking spray on both sides. Scoop about 2/3 cup of batter into the waffle iron. Close the waffle iron, flip, and cook for about 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes and 30 seconds (depending on how hot your iron is).

6. 6

   Transfer the cooked waffles to a plate, cover with foil to keep warm, and repeat the process until all of the waffle batter is used up.

7. 7

   Combine all of the caramel sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes or until the caramel begins to thicken and can coat the back of a spoon. For thicker caramel, let the sauce simmer longer.

8. 8

   Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. The longer it cools, the thicker it will be.

9. 9

   Drizzle onto pancakes and enjoy.