Peanut Butter Waffles

While doing my menu planning a couple of weeks ago, I came upon a really fun fact.  Apparently, January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day.  Who knew?  So many possible ways to celebrate.  This year, I went with peanut butter waffles piled high with bananas, drizzled with honey, and topped with crunchy peanuts.

I’m not normally one to really buy into the whole “National Day of Whatever” thing.  I mean, pretty much every day is something day, right?  But I just could not let a day devoted to something as delicious as peanut butter pass me by.  So, I’m celebrating National Peanut Butter Day…all week.

If you love peanut butter like I do, you’ll also want to check these out

• peanut butter apple breakfast quinoa
• classic peanut butter cookies
• peanut butter and jelly bars
• chocolate fudge brownies with whipped peanut butter frosting

I’m kicking it off with a fabulous breakfast recipe that’s as flexible as it is easy.  I made some adaptations, mostly because I didn’t have whole-wheat flour on hand like I thought.  These waffles came together in no time flat.  All you have to do is set the waffle iron to warm up and mix all the ingredients together in a single bowl.  Once the waffles are cooked, top them with anything you like.  I chose yogurt, honey, sliced bananas, and toasted peanuts this time around.  I can’t wait to make them again so I can melt some jam and pile on the berries for peanut butter and jelly waffles.  After that, I’m thinking chocolate spread, a dollop of peanut butter, and more toasted peanuts.  Both with a big cup of coffee, of course.  Good morning indeed.

These peanut butter waffles come together in a flash, can be topped with anything you can dream up, and will make any peanut butter lover’s breakfast dreams come true.

Peanut Butter Waffles
adapted from epicurious

Ingredients:
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
1 1/2 TBSP sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/4 c. milk (not skim)
1/4 vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
cooking/baking spray or melted butter, for the waffle iron

Directions:
1.  Preheat waffle iron.  Place a baking sheet with a wire rack in oven and set to warm.

2.  Put all ingredients except cooking spray or butter in a large bowl and, using a hand mixer and increasing speed, combine thoroughly.

3.  When waffle iron is heated, spray with cooking/baking spray or brush with butter.  Ladle in appropriate amount of batter and cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Keep warm in oven or serve immediately with desired toppings.

yield: 6-8 servings