Craving a truly special breakfast that feels like a warm hug? These delectable Apple Cinnamon Waffles, generously drizzled with a rich homemade cinnamon syrup, are an absolute game-changer. Perfect for a cozy weekend morning, a festive holiday brunch, or to make any day feel extraordinary, they are guaranteed to become a family favorite.

As the aroma of cinnamon and sweet apples fills the kitchen, you’ll understand why this recipe is more than just a meal – it’s an experience. Imagine waking up to golden, fluffy waffles, each square cradling tender, spiced apples, all bathed in a glistening, warm cinnamon syrup. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes memories, transforming an ordinary morning into something truly magical.

Crafting Unforgettable Morning Memories

For many, certain days like Mother’s Day are synonymous with special meals. While some families manage elaborate brunches involving multiple destinations and culinary feats, our traditions often gravitate towards something more intimate and equally heartwarming. Living far from extended family has shaped our celebrations, making the moments we create at home even more precious. It’s a joy to transform our kitchen into a hub of love and deliciousness, especially when it involves a requested dish.

My partner, Brian, has earned legendary status for taking over the kitchen on these special occasions. It’s a cherished tradition that allows me to pick any meal my heart desires – a decision I never take lightly! This year, the debate raged between a zesty Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguine, my beloved Chicken Gyros, or perhaps the exquisite Coconut Shrimp Curry. The sheer joy (and slight stress!) of choosing is part of the fun. Perhaps the safest bet is to request all three and see which culinary masterpiece emerges!

The Exception to the Rule: Breakfast Indulgence

Typically, my mornings start with a quick smoothie and a banana after my workout. But for those extraordinary days, breakfast becomes a leisurely affair, an indulgent exception to the routine. It’s a treasured ritual, especially when my boys take charge. They love to “toodle around” in the kitchen, concocting breakfast for me while I charmingly pretend to be asleep, even though my internal alarm clock had me wide awake hours ago.

They’ll eventually bumble into the room, balancing plates piled high with food and glasses of milk and juice (because they can never agree, so I get both!). They settle on my legs, watching intently to ensure I savor every single bite. It’s utterly adorable, though I confess, sometimes I find myself discreetly hiding extra food under the covers when their attention drifts – they tend to bring enough to feed an army of mothers!

The Irresistible Allure of Apple Cinnamon Waffles

While breakfast requests haven’t always been part of their culinary repertoire (some past offerings have been… creatively adventurous, to say the least!), this year, I’m subtly dropping hints to my nine-year-old and his trustworthy dad that these glorious apple cinnamon waffles absolutely must make an appearance. We first tried them a few weeks ago, thanks to a fantastic recipe shared by our reader, Bri, and I haven’t stopped dreaming about them since!

These waffles are the epitome of an indulgent breakfast. The taste of cinnamon is truly maximized here: fluffy, lightly sweet cinnamon waffles serve as the perfect base for warm, tender, sweet cinnamon apples, all crowned with a dazzling, glistening cinnamon syrup. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, a perfect blend of warmth, sweetness, and spice that is simply unparalleled. It’s the ultimate way to show someone you care, or simply to treat yourself to an extraordinary start to the day.

I’m off now, to strategically place this recipe printout under all the rugrats’ pillows. Here’s hoping they take the hint and don’t mistake it for a cryptic message from the tooth fairy!

Apple Cinnamon Waffles with Cinnamon Syrup

Yield:

6 -8 servings

Prep Time:

25 mins

Cook Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

4.67 stars (6 ratings)

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Ingredients

Cinnamon Syrup:

• ½ cup (106 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (106 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup water

Cinnamon Apples:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2-3 large sweet apples, peeled, cored and chopped
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• pinch of salt

Waffles:

• 2 cups (284 g) all-purpose or white whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup (53 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (53 g) brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups milk
• ½ cup vegetable, canola or coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg whites

Instructions

• Prepare the Cinnamon Syrup: In a small saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Gradually whisk in the water and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup slightly thickens to your desired consistency. Keep warm while you prepare the apples and waffles.
• Cook the Cinnamon Apples: In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the peeled, cored, and chopped apples, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. Adjust cooking time based on your preferred apple texture. Keep warm until ready to serve with the waffles.
• Mix the Waffle Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose (or white whole wheat) flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: milk, vegetable (or canola/coconut) oil, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine for fluffy waffles.
• Fold in Egg Whites: In a clean, medium glass or metal mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. This means when you lift the beater or whisk straight up, the egg whites form gentle, rounded mounds rather than stiff, sharp peaks. Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the waffle batter until just incorporated. This step adds incredible lightness and crispiness to the waffles.
• Cook the Waffles: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the waffle iron with cooking spray or a brush of oil if necessary. Pour the prepared waffle batter onto the hot iron, using the recommended amount for your specific model (usually about ½ to ¾ cup per waffle). Cook until golden brown and crispy, typically 3-5 minutes, depending on your waffle iron and desired crispness.
• Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the freshly cooked waffles to individual plates. Top generously with the warm cinnamon apples and a luscious drizzle of the homemade cinnamon syrup. Serve immediately and savor every comforting bite!

Notes

For the Cinnamon Apples: Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of cinnamon in the apples based on your personal preference for spice intensity.

Apples + Sugar: If you choose to use a tart apple variety, such as Granny Smith, you might want to slightly increase the amount of brown sugar in the cinnamon apples mixture to balance the tartness.

Waffle Texture Tips: For extra crispy waffles, avoid overmixing the batter and ensure your waffle iron is fully preheated. You can also lightly brush the waffle iron plates with oil between batches.

Storage & Reheating: Leftover waffles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or frozen for up to a month. Reheat in a toaster or oven for best results. The cinnamon apples and syrup can also be stored separately and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Author:
Mel

Course:
Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine:
American

Method:
Waffle Iron, Stovetop

Diet:
Vegetarian

Keywords:
Apple Cinnamon Waffles, Cinnamon Syrup, Homemade Waffles, Breakfast Recipe, Mother’s Day Breakfast, Sweet Breakfast, Family Brunch

Nutrition Information

Serving:
1 Serving

,

Calories:
620kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
101g

,

Protein:
8g

,

Fat:
21g

,

Saturated Fat:
4g

,

Cholesterol:
8mg

,

Sodium:
455mg

,

Fiber:
3g

,

Sugar:
64g

Recommended Products

Waffle Iron

Wire Whisk

Mixing Bowl

Recipe Source: The original cinnamon waffle recipe was adapted slightly from Bri H., a dedicated MKC reader (thank you, Bri, for this gem!). The cinnamon apples are my own creation, and the irresistible syrup recipe hails from allrecipes.com, making this a truly collaborative and perfected dish.