These Dark Chocolate Waffles with Ganache are for CHOCOLATE LOVERS. Or anyone human, really. Crispy on the outside, perfectly gooey from the chocolate chunks on the inside. Then drizzled with chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries. If you want to pamper someone special in your life, I’m telling you, friends, this is how you do it. Originally published April 24, 2015.
Table of Contents
SPOILER ALERT—Don’t read this if you are a Grey’s Anatomy fan! McDreamy is DEAD. That’s right, folks, the main character’s love interest for 10 years has officially croaked.
I don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy, but Facebook told me about this monumental news, and I got sucked into reading people’s reactions on multiple sites. I can’t help myself; it’s just kind of funny. Of course, if I actually watched the show, I’m sure this would put me in a bad mood for a week, but since I don’t…it’s kind of funny. (Especially because his name is McDreamy.)
My sister Nikki is an author. She was telling me the other day that one of her agent’s interns was reading a draft of Nikki’s novel, and when something in the story didn’t go the way she anticipated, she almost threw her tablet across the room in disgust.
How awesome is that?? Not that you’re making people feel disgusted, or in Shonda Rimes (creator of Grey’s) case, anger/sorrow, but that you’re making them FEEL something. I think it’s probably every writer’s dream to be able to reach their audience so viscerally. I’ll admit, I’m the same way. I put a lot of effort into the things I write on this blog, and I would be pretty bummed if I thought that you weren’t getting at least a chuckle every now and then.
RIP McDreamy, and a round of applause to Shonda, who wrote a story that made thousands of women cry into their ice cream this week. Shakespeare would be proud.
In case you are a McDreamster (is there a name for Dreamy fans?) I have got a CURE ALL for you today! Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate, every crying woman’s dream.
These chocolate waffles are to die for
Can you believe these waffles? They are so good, you guys. And so, so chocolatey. The strawberries add the perfect balance. Every time you think you’ve had too rich of a bite, you can pop in a strawberry and be ready for round 2. Have a glass of milk handy, it’s pretty much essential. Make this for Mother’s Day! I can’t think of anything more perfect to celebrate mom than giving them All The Chocolate. Be sure to make some homemade whipped cream to go with it!
Key ingredients
- I use unsweetened cocoa powder, don’t use cocoa/hot chocolate mix. You can use whatever brand you like most.
- Light olive oil or even vegetable oil. This will make your waffles soft and moist without overpowering the chocolate.
How to make dark chocolate waffles with ganache
In a large bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the egg yolks, buttermilk, olive oil, and vanilla.
Whisk the wet ingredients together in the center, gradually pulling in the dry ingredients as you go. You don’t need to mix until the batter is perfectly smooth. Actually, please don’t! A few dry spots are just fine, that means you haven’t overmixed your waffles and made them tough..
Now it´s time to do the thing that makes these waffles sing. We need to get our egg whites going. Add the egg whites to your stand mixer (or use a large bowl and an electric mixer) and beat until soft peaks form. Gently fold half of the whipped egg whites into the batter. I know it’s tempting to stir, but folding helps keep all that air in the egg whites, which gives you lighter, fluffier waffles.
Add the chopped chocolate and the remaining egg whites and gently fold everything together just until combined.
Use your waffle iron and cook them until they’re crisp on the outside and cooked through.
While the waffles are cooking, make the ganache. Pour the cream into a microwave-safe bowl and heat until the cream is hot and bubbles start forming around the edges. Immediately add the chocolate chips and let them sit for about a minute. Then whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth and creamy. Stir in the butter and salt.
If the ganache thickens up before you’re ready to serve, no worries! Just pop it back in the microwave for a few seconds, give it a good stir, and repeat as needed until it’s smooth and pourable again.
How to store leftover waffles
These chocolate waffles are best fresh, but you can absolutely save the leftovers! Let the waffles cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them in a single layer first so they don’t stick together.
Can I reheat leftover waffles?
For the crispiest waffles, reheat them straight from the fridge or freezer in a toaster or toaster oven. If using a toaster oven, heat at 350°F until warmed through and crisp, about 5 to 10 minutes. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they’ll be soft rather than crispy. Reheat the chocolate ganache separately in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and pourable.
Can I freeze these waffles?
These chocolate waffles freeze really well, so don’t let the leftovers go to waste. Let the waffles cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container with a piece of parchment paper between each waffle to keep them from sticking together. Freeze for up to 3 months. You can reheat them straight from frozen in a toaster or toaster oven until hot and crisp. No need to thaw first. Freezing the waffles without the ganache and make the ganache fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Dark Chocolate Waffles with Ganache
Ingredients
For the waffles:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup olive oil, lightly flavored
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, 60-70%, finely chopped
- Nonstick spray
For the ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons butter
- pinch of salt
- strawberries, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the egg whites to your stand mixer or another bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the flour and whisk together 3 egg yolks, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients; don’t over-mix. A few dry spots are ok.
- Beat the egg whites in your stand mixer or with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold in half of the egg whites (don’t over mix! Fold, not stir!)
- Add the chopped chocolate and the remaining egg whites and gently fold in until combined.
- Heat waffle iron and cook according to directions, making sure to coat the iron with nonstick spray.
- Turn your oven on to the warm setting (170 degrees F). Place a baking sheet topped with a cooling rack in the oven, and set the waffles on it to keep warm until ready to serve. (This keeps them from getting soggy.) Cover them with foil if it’s going to be a while.
- Meanwhile, make the ganache. Add the cream to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for about a minute and a half, stirring halfway, or until bubbles form on the edges.
- Immediately add the chocolate chips and let sit for one minute. Then whisk until all the lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the butter and salt. If it returns to room temperature and thickens before you serve it, just throw it in the microwave for a bit until it’s liquid again.
Notes
Nutrition
More sweet breakfast recipes
Sweet Breakfast
Orange Rolls Recipe
Breads, Muffins & Rolls
How to make Pancake Muffins
Sweet Breakfast
I have made this recipe twice with half the chopped chocolate, or one good quality chocolate bar, and without the ganache. We eat them with a little butter or with a strawberry flavored syrup. I love putting the leftover waffles in the freezer to pull out for a weekday breakfast before work!
I TOTALLY CRIED into my ice cream. I started crying and got ice cream just to cry into it. I wish I had these waffles though.
Excellent! I made the dark chocolate waffles, but did not make the ganache (we aren’t big on sweets). For the waffles, I only had one 3 ounce sea salt 70% chocolate bar, and we thought the waffles were plenty chocolatey with just 3 ounces. I also put in 2 tablespoons of melted butter in place of some of the oil. Next time, I will try half melted butter, half oil for a richer taste. I was worried the waffles wouldn’t be sweet enough with only 1/4 cup brown sugar, due to the 1/2 cup cocoa powder, but they were just right!
So glad you enjoyed these Kathy! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your tips, we love hearing from you :-)
I have never wanted waffles so badly in my entire life-which is saying something because I despise waffles.
I haven’t yet watched the episode, and I’m a fan (but don’t worry, I already knew about Mc Dreamy’s fate haha). But let’s be honest, GA should’ve ended seasons ago…
So I’ve discovered your blog today, through a BuzzFeed neswletter. And I’m in love with it! Have already saved lots of recipes here. You can definitly be happy, cause your writing is amazing! I love how you tell the stories and talk about the food. So yeah… you’ve gotta a new brazillian fan (sorry about typos and mistakes here).
Keep on with the awesome work, I’ll definitly be around to check it out =)
Oh whew! You had me scared there for a minute Isadora I would have hated to ruin McDreamy’s death for you!! :) Thank you for all the fun compliments, I’m so glad to have you here. And ps I didn’t see a single typo! :) Welcome!
What’s dreamy are your photos – so clear I can see blue sky and clouds reflected in the chocolate ganache! This looks SO good.
haha! Thanks mom!
What is “lightly flavored” olive oil?
Hi Gila! Lightly flavored olive oil just has a more neutral taste, as opposed to extra virgin olive oil. It will say “extra light” on the bottle. Vegetable oil would be a fine substitute.
I think you know how I feel about dark chocolate and strawberries! A total win! These waffles look spectacular! I don’t watch Grey’s either but watching everyone flip the f&*k out on facebook/twitter was rather amusing lol! Love these waffles girl!
I’m not a McDreamy fan, but I sure would like a plate of these waffles. I mean, I can make myself feel sad about something else. Like, right now I’m sad I don’t have a plate of these waffles.
I stopped watching Grey’s Anatomy after the plane crash a few seasons ago.. It was just getting too crazy for me! I did however see A LOT of upset facebook posts about it! Hah! These waffles sound amazing, chocolate everything, I’m in!!
Wondering how I only just found your blog TODAY. Your photography is absolutely insane and I have never read a more perfect about page. Keep it up girl! I’ll be here following you :)
Thank you Leigha! I’m grinning ear to ear :) Glad to have you here! (This is the part where I bust another rhyme, right? Anybody want a peanut? Please tell me you’ve seen Princess Bride.)
I don’t follow Grey’s all that well anymore, but I did watch the last episode and saw how McDreamy died…….and eating all these chocolate waffles into a choco coma would have been a far better way to go…just saying.
OMG, Karen, will you please adopt me?? These waffles look too good, I just want to face-plant in it!
Haha! Yes dear daughter, come I will make you waffles! :) :)
I say it all the time I am not much of a chocolate person – BUT when berreis are involved – count me in! these look incredible
I am totally with you Heather! You can’t stop the chocolate-berry combo :)
In my world, chocolate must be paired with either fruit or nuts. I’ll take these waffles with whipped cream on top too. Your photos make those waffles and berries look gorgeous!
Thanks so much Julia!! Why didn’t I think of whipped cream???