Basics • Early Birds & Breads • Bars, cookies, & goodies • Cakes • Dessert • Drinks • Main Dishes • Greens
early birds and breads
This is actually the first chapter I started working on. I always make waffles (and other “early bird” foods) at home for Sunday breakfast, so this was my preferred starting point. Also, people tend to think of coffee as a breakfast drink, though nowadays it is being served with other meals more often than when I was a child in the early 1960s.

This chapter includes a range of versatile recipes from coffee waffles and pancakes to the mocha sandwich loaf to biscuits and buns. Eat the mocha loaf by itself, or use it to make out of this world french toast. And enjoy the biscuits, probably my favorite recipe in this chapter, with ham and cheese, eggs and cheese, or a drizzle of caramel coffee sauce.

These are very straightforward recipes, so you can indulge yourself at any time. The breads take a little longer to make, but are worth it. (If you have the time, you can also prepare the breads with a “sponge,” which will add even more flavor; see the tip on the last page of this chapter.) Enjoy these goodies with friends and family and have fun making them!
 
Chocolate-Dotted Waffles with Caramel Coffee Sauce
Twelve 4-inch waffles
 
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons freeze-dried or granulated instant coffee
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate shavings
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk or yogurt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 pint vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
  • Caramel Coffee Sauce (page 000)
  • Powdered sugar, optional
Regular waffle maker
  1. In a large bowl place the flour, coffee, chocolate, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix with a fork.
  2. In another bowl mix the eggs, buttermilk, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add this to the flour mixture and mix gently with the fork until the batter looks smooth.
  3. Spray your waffle maker with nonstick spray and place 1/3 of the mixture over the surface of the machine (4 waffle style) on it. Cook until set, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Place a waffle or two on each plate and top with ice cream or whipped cream and caramel sauce. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.