I went into this recipe wanting to make gingerbread waffles, based on this Martha Stewart recipe. However, I didn’t have molasses, and I feel like gingerbread simply cannot be without. So, we’re going to go ahead and call these “spiced.” Yes, that works for me.

I also felt the need to healthify them just a bit, since, you know, that’s how I roll. They turned out pretty delicious, I must say. And, the lemon syrup is not to be missed. It’s killer with the spices and the sweetness of the waffle.

I know that I’ve been in total pumpkin overdrive to the point where I’m actually kind of sick of it. I also know that there is pumpkin in this recipe (I know! I know!), but you barely taste it. It really serves to keep the waffles moist, and adds a delightful golden hue. So, if you are sick of pumpkin, don’t be, ain’t not thang but a chicken wang. And, if you’re still hyped on the orange stuff, then eat your little heart out.

Spiced Waffles with Lemon Syrup

For waffles:
*makes 10 waffles
2 cups whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup pureed pumpkin
1 cup low-fat milk
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
cooking spray

For syrup:
* enough for about 8-10 waffles
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoon maple syrup

1.) Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl.
2.) In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, butter, milk, yogurt, pumpkin and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and whisk until smooth.
3.) Heat a waffle iron and spray with cooking spray. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each mold, and cook until golden brown. I have a pretty low-end waffle iron, so mine took 9 minutes each to cook. If you have a less-depressed waffle iron, perhaps it will be speedier.
4.) Meanwhile, combine the lemon juice, maple syrup and brown sugar. Simmer in a small pot until thickened.
5.) Serve waffles with the syrup. Yum!