Pumpkin Waffles

My pumpkin waffles recipe is derived from my close friend Leonard’s grandmother’s recipe as a foundation and some experimentation of my own. I’ve pursued the elusive ‘perfect waffle’ for decades and continue to try and improve every time I make them. One of my favorite memories from traveling for my day job (management consulting) and staying at all sorts of hotels is the breakfast. From the breakfast, I usually always go for the fresh waffles. I had an opportunity (not sure why I call it an opportunity) to stay at an Embassy Suites for six months straight. Even after having their breakfast every Monday through Friday, I never grew tired of the waffles. I tried on many occasions to figure out the recipe but failed – it’s like a hotel secret to making deliciously crisp but fluffy waffles like they do. that I stay at.

One of my favorite memories from traveling for my day job (management consulting) and staying at hotels all over the US is the breakfast. Specifically the waffles. One year, I had to stay at a hotel for six months straight. Even after having their breakfast nearly every Monday through Friday, I never grew tired of their waffles. So much so that I tried on many occasions to figure out the recipe, but failed. I swear I think it’s a hotel trade secret to making the best deliciously crisp but fluffy waffles just so you stay at their hotel. I have to admit, whenever I was presented with a choice of hotels for business travel, I usually picked the one that had my favorite waffles…

Onto my story. I raved and raved about these waffles for years to my friends but never had a chance to replicate them.Then, for my birthday one year, my friend Leonard bought me a waffle iron and included a recipe for his great-aunt’s ‘famous’ waffles. I tried the recipe and they were great waffles, but not like the ones from the hotels. I tweaked the recipe several times, and now it has morphed into what you see here. I’m sure Len would not approve (at least not until he tastes it…)