• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

True North Kitchen

  • Recipes
  • Browse by Category
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Browse by Category
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
×

Home » Recipes

Norwegian Waffles (Hjertevafler)

Published: Mar 23, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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!

Heart shaped waffle on a plate topped with whipped cream and fruit.

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

Labeled ingredients for Norwegian Waffles.

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.
Flour in a bowl with a whisk.
Waffle batter with a whisk.
Waffle batter in a bowl with a spatula.
  • Make your waffles according the manufacturer's instructions on your waffle iron.
Waffle cooking in a heart shaped waffle iron.
Stack of heart shaped waffles.

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.
Heart shaped waffles on a cooling rack.

FAQS

How do Norwegian waffles differ from American waffles?

Slathered in butter and drizzled with maple syrup, waffles are an American Sunday morning mainstay. But they do waffles their own way in Norway. A few distinct differences:
-They are thin and charmingly heart-shaped.
-The batter is often made with cream or sour cream rather than buttermilk.
-The batter usually contains cardamom.
-Whipped cream, fresh berries, jam or brown cheese are the toppings of choice rather than butter and maple syrup.

When do Norwegians enjoy waffles?

Waffles are enjoyed all throughout the year, but they are particularly popular on March 25th, Våffeldagen (Waffle Day).

What is the origin of Waffle Day?

March 25 is International Waffle Day in the Nordic countries.  It is also the date of the Feast of the Annunciation (also known as Our Lady’s Day), which is why waffle day is celebrated on March 25 in the first place.   In the Swedish language, Our Lady’s Day (Vårfrudagen) when pronounced sounds a lot like Våffeldagen (Waffle Day).  As a wink and a nod to this linguistic similarity, people in Sweden started celebrating Vårfrudagen by eating waffles.  

Although Waffle Day originated from an idiosyncrasy in the Swedish language, it is celebrated on March 25 throughout the Nordic region, including Norway.

How do I store leftover waffles?

These waffles freeze really well. Allow them to cool completely and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and slip them into a freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for a couple of months. When you are ready to enjoy a waffle, simply unwrap the plastic, break the waffle in half and toss it in the toaster. Homemade toaster waffles! But do keep a close eye on them while they toast. They can get overly dark really quickly.

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.

Heart shaped waffle on a plate topped with whipped cream and roasted strawberries.

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:

  • Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberries
  • Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)
  • Easy Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)

Heart shaped waffle on a plate topped with whipped cream and fruit.

Norwegian Waffles (Hjertevafler)

Buttery heart shaped waffles flavored with cardamom and vanilla.  Perfect with whipped cream and fresh berries!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Nordic, Norwegian, Scandinavian
Keyword: buttermilk waffle recipe, cardamom waffles, easy waffle recipe, heart shaped waffles, vanilla waffles
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 waffles
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

For the Waffles:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • To Serve:
  • Fresh berries sliced peaches, jam or fruit compote
  • Whipped cream or Yogurt Whipped Cream
  • Norwegian brown cheese (Gjetost)

Special Equipment Needed:

  • Heart shaped waffle iron

Instructions

  • Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cardamom together in a medium bowl.  Set aside.
  • Whisk eggs together in a large bowl. Add sour cream and whisk until smooth. Add milk, vanilla and melted butter and whisk until fully combined. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir gently with rubber spatula until the mixture just comes together (It will not be entirely smooth). 
  • Heat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Cook waffles one at a time until golden brown and crisp. Serve immediately or transfer to a 200 degree oven to keep warm.  Serve waffles with fresh berries, sliced peaches, jam, fruit compote, whipped cream, sour cream, creme fraiche, Yogurt Whipped Cream, Norwegian brown cheese (Gjetost) and/or other toppings of your choice.

Notes

These waffles freeze really well. Allow them to cool completely and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and slip them into a freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for a couple of months. When you are ready to enjoy a waffle, simply unwrap the plastic, break the waffle in half and toss it in the toaster. Homemade toaster waffles! But do keep a close eye on them while they toast. They can get overly dark really quickly.
For a buttermilk variation:  Substitute 1 ¾ cups buttermilk for the sour cream and milk and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda with the dry ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 437IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg

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.

More Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes

  • Vanilla Overnight Oats with Cinnamon
  • White Swedish Glögg with Elderflower Liqueur (Mulled White Wine)
  • Homemade Pickled Mustard Seeds
  • Danish Apple Trifle

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jo

    December 14, 2021 at 2:18 am

    5 stars
    Fabulous detailed instructions and tips. I made a batch of these this morning and they are absolutely delicious.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 14, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      Hi Jo,
      So glad you enjoyed the waffles! Thanks so much for your feedback!
      Kristi

      Reply
  2. Margarita

    December 20, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Would this batter work in a Belgian waffle iron? Looks yummy!

    Reply
    • Kristi

      December 21, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      Hi Margarita,
      I've never tried it but I don't see why not!
      Kristi

      Reply
    • Richard F Gorton

      March 25, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      Yes, this recipe worked very well for belgian style. Yield about 6 - 8 depending on Iron used.

      Reply
  3. Richard F Gorton

    March 25, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    5 stars
    Was the best and easy to blend all ingredients. The Cardamom was a nice touch but will double amount as wasnt much of a taste of this spice. Th finished product was amazing however. Well be my go to for Våffeldagen batter.

    Reply
    • Kristi

      March 25, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      Hi Richard,
      So glad you enjoyed the waffles. Thanks for your comment!
      Kristi

      Reply
  4. Terri Jackson

    April 04, 2022 at 10:17 am

    5 stars
    We just made these waffles this morning and they were wonderful! Thank you for such a great recipes and detailed information!

    Reply
    • Kristi

      April 05, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      Hi Terri,
      Thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the waffles!
      Kristi

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Kristi! Welcome to my cozy Nordic kitchen! More about me

SEARCH RECIPES:

The cover for Scandinavian Baking Favorites e-book

Enter your email below and receive a copy of my free ebook, Scandinavian Baking Favorites!



Scandi Breakfast Ideas

Baked oat and rye porridge with blueberries and almonds in a pan

Baked Nordic Oat and Rye Porridge

Close up of a glass of overnight oats topped wit bananas, blueberries and strawberries next to raw oats and a spoon.

Vanilla Overnight Oats with Cinnamon

Close up of Rye and Oat Muesli with Dried Cherries and Hazelnuts.

Rye and Oat Muesli with Dried Cherries and Hazelnuts

A close up of a berry smoothie topped with blueberries and lingonberries

Nordic Wild Berry Almond Smoothie

Toast with sliced egg, avocado and pickled beets on a plate

Nordic Avocado Toast with Pickled Beets and Egg

Oatmeal in a bowl with a spoon on a napkin

Simple Oatmeal with Brown Sugar and Cream

Top Posts

Stack of flatbreads on a plate next to herbs and a spiked rolling pin.

Soft Swedish Flatbreads with Garden Herbs (Tunnbröd med Trädgårds Örter)

Sliced rye bread on a marble surface.

Easy Overnight Danish Rye Bread (Rugbrød)

Quick Swedish Pickled Cucumbers in a jar next to peppercorns and fresh dill sprigs.

Quick Swedish Pickled Cucumbers

Slice of bundt cake on a plate with a fork.

Swedish Cardamom Cake (Kardemummakaka)

Sliced Swedish Almond Cake on a marble plate

Simple Swedish Almond Cake

Swedish pancakes on a plate drizzled with lingonberries.

Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberries

Crispbread and a rolling pin and kitchen towel

Easy Sourdough Rye Crispbread (Knäckebröd)

Rye bread slices on a plate next to a loaf of rye bread and a wooden knife with butter

Sourdough Danish Rye Bread (Rugbrød)

Categories

Footer

^ back to top

About
Work with Me
Contact
Disclosure and Privacy Policy
Accessibility Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 True North Kitchen