Looking for a hands-on, interactive way to teach your students about baking, ingredient functions, and food presentation? A buttermilk waffle board is the perfect activity to engage students while reinforcing essential kitchen skills. Thanks to our member, Rodelle, we have a fantastic waffle board recipe that can be easily incorporated into your Family and Consumer Science classroom or baking program.
Why a Waffle Board?
A waffle board is more than just a delicious treat—it’s a creative way to explore flavor combinations, textures, and plating techniques. This lesson can be expanded to include topics such as:
- Ingredient functions in baking (e.g., how baking powder and baking soda affect texture)
- Sensory evaluation (tasting and describing flavors)
- Hospitality and food styling (presentation techniques for meal appeal)
Encourage students to think critically about flavor pairings, develop their culinary creativity, and gain confidence in the kitchen!
Ingredients:
For the buttermilk waffles:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- ½ cup salted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp Rodelle vanilla extract
For the mocha chocolate sauce:
- ½ cup hot strongly brewed coffee
- ½ cup Rodelle Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 8 tbsp powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp salted butter, room temperature
- ¼ tsp Rodelle vanilla extract
For the whipped cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
For the whipped cinnamon sugar butter:
- 1 stick salted butter
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
For additional toppings:
- ½ cup marshmallow spread
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- 8 oz figs, cut in half
- 16 oz strawberries
- 8 oz blueberries
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions:
1. Make the waffles:
Preheat the waffle iron to a medium-high setting.
Whisk together dry ingredients in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed (small lumps are fine).
Pour ¾ cup of batter into the waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep waffles warm in an oven set to 150°F until ready to serve.
Prepare the toppings:
Mocha chocolate sauce: Whisk hot coffee and cocoa powder until smooth, then add powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
Whipped cream: Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with a mixer until stiff peaks form.
Whipped cinnamon sugar butter: Beat softened butter, powdered sugar, and cinnamon together until light and fluffy.
Assemble the waffle board:
Cut waffles into quarters and arrange them on a large platter.
Place toppings in small ramekins and arrange around the waffles.
Garnish with fresh fruit and sprinkle with dark chocolate chips.
Serve immediately!
Want to make this a more comprehensive classroom activity? Here are a few ways to integrate educational objectives into this lesson. Send us photos of your classroom and let us know how it goes:
Science of Baking: To make this a more comprehensive classroom activity, incorporate educational objectives that enhance learning. Begin by discussing the science of baking, such as the role of baking powder and baking soda in creating texture. Students can explore how buttermilk reacts with leavening agents to produce fluffier waffles.
- Discuss the role of baking powder vs. baking soda in waffle texture.
- Explore how buttermilk reacts with leavening agents to create fluffier waffles.
Food Styling & Presentation: Next, introduce food styling and presentation techniques by guiding students on how to arrange food for visual appeal. Comparing different plating styles can lead to discussions on how presentation influences perceived taste.
- Teach students how to arrange food for visual appeal.
- Compare different plating styles and discuss how presentation affects perceived taste.
Sensory Evaluation: Finally, engage students in sensory evaluation by having them taste different toppings, describe textures and flavors, and rate their favorite combinations while explaining why certain pairings work well together.
- Have students taste different toppings and describe textures and flavors.
- Encourage them to rate their favorite combinations and explain why they work well together.
This waffle board activity is a great way to engage students in baking while exploring the science, creativity, and presentation skills involved in food preparation. Whether you’re teaching basic cooking techniques or advanced food styling, this lesson offers a versatile and enjoyable way to enhance your curriculum.
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