Norwegian Waffles (Hjertevafler)

These authentic Norwegian waffles are sure to become a family breakfast favorite! Buttery, crisp and tender and made with wholesome, simple ingredients, these heart shaped waffles are a delicious way to begin the day.

Choose from a variety of traditional Norwegian toppings (sour cream, whipped cream, fresh berries, jam, fruit compote or brown cheese (Cheese? Yes, really. More on that later). Or go ahead and top them butter and maple syrup....it's not the Norwegian way but still SO delicious.

Keep reading for step-by-step instructions for how to make Norwegian Waffles!

Why This Recipe Works

• Sour cream gives these waffles a tender texture;
• melted butter adds richness and creates a perfectly crisp exterior; and
• the combination of vanilla and cardamom gives them that quintessential Scandinavian flavor.

The Ingredients

Beatrice Ojakangas, author of the Great Scandinavian Baking Book, says that there are many different Nordic waffle recipes, "one for every Scandinavian cook." The ingredients might differ slightly from recipe to recipe, but they are always very straightforward staples you are likely to already have on hand:

• All Purpose Flour
• Sour Cream
• Milk
• Vanilla
• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Salt
• Cardamom
• Baking Powder

The Equipment

This recipe requires a waffle maker. Norwegian waffles are traditionally heart shaped, so a heart shaped waffle maker is an authentic choice here. But any waffle maker will work just fine with this simple batter.

How To Make This Recipe

• Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Whisk the wet ingredients together in a separate large bowl. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold to combine, being careful to not to over mix.

• Make your waffles according the manufacturer's instructions on your waffle iron.

SO simple and easy!

Expert Tips

I've got a few tips and tricks for ensuring that your Norwegian Waffles are the best they can be every time:

• Don't over mix the batter. You want to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula until they JUST come together. A few streaks of visible flour here and there is even okay.
• Don't skimp on the batter and position it properly. One of the most frustrating things about making heart shaped waffles is when the batter doesn't get all the way to the edges of the waffle iron and they aren't as heart shaped as you want them to be. Be sure to center the batter in the middle of the iron and to use enough to ensure that it will travel all the way to the edges when pressed.
• Get to know your waffle iron. Mine works best with a generous ½ cup of batter per waffle, and I cook it on the highest setting because I like my waffles to be nicely browned. Your waffle maker might be different! Take time to read the instructions and play around with the settings until you are happy with the results.
• For best results, enjoy immediately! Hot waffles are best enjoyed right from the iron, in my opinion. If you want to keep them all warm so you can eat at the same time, Keep them in a 200 degree oven, preferably on a wire rack set inside of a baking sheet, until you are ready to eat.

FAQS

What Toppings Go With Norwegian Waffles?

There are many different topping that go with Norwegian waffles. Here is a list of ideas to get you started:

• Whipped cream (my Yogurt Whipped Cream is a really good choice for these waffles)!
• Sour cream
• Creme Fraiche
• Cloudberry Cream
• Fresh berries or other fruit. Juicy ripe peaches in the summer are a wonderful option.
• A homemade seasonal compote or cooked fruit topping such as Roasted Strawberries (pictured below), Blueberry Cardamom Compote, Roasted Strawberry Rhubarb Compote, Roasted Pear Compote with Cardamom, Vanilla and Fresh Ginger, Roasted Peach Ginger Compote or Caramelized Apple Compote.
• Store bought or homemade jam (lingonberry jam is especially Scandinavian and really delicious here).
• Norwegian brown cheese (Brunost). Brown cheese is made by boiling down a mixture of milk, cream and whey (a byproduct of the cheese making process) until it is caramel-y, sweet and brown in color. In America, the most commonly available form of brown cheese is Gjetost which is made from goat's and cow's milk, cream and whey. It is a very popular topping for waffles in Norway. Simply top your waffle with thin slices of Brunost and dig in!
• Or choose the American route and go with butter and pure maple syrup. Not traditional but delicious in its own right.

Looking for more festive Scandinavian-inspired breakfast ideas? I've got several delicious options here on the blog. Here are a few tasty recipes to get you started:

If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Norwegian Waffles and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.