Name: Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp Christmas spice blend (or gingerbread spice); 2 tbsp cacao powder; 2 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; 2 large eggs; 3 tbsp honey (or maple syrup); 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter; 2 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp sea salt; 1 tbsp dark rum (optional); 2 cups buttermilk; Cooking oil spray (avocado oil or 1 tbsp cooking oil for brushing)

There’s something truly magical about waking up to warm, cozy waffles infused with holiday spices — that’s exactly what makes the Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe a must-try this season. Imagine a waffle with the perfect balance of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg wrapped in a soft, slightly chocolaty hug. It’s quick, easy, and brings that festive cheer right to your breakfast table!

A stack of four golden-brown waffles is placed on a white plate, each waffle thick and fluffy with a slightly crispy texture. The waffles have syrup dripping down the sides, pooling gently at the base. On top of the stack is a small gingerbread man cookie decorated with white icing for eyes, mouth, and buttons. Powdered sugar is being sprinkled over the waffles and cookie from above, falling like tiny snowflakes. The scene has warm, blurred yellow lights in the background, and a white marbled surface underneath the plate photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to confess—these Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe have become my go-to holiday morning treat. The warming spices instantly transport me to cozy winter mornings, and the slight hint of cacao adds an unexpected richness. Making them feels like giving yourself a little hug, and your kitchen will smell like Christmas itself.

Built-in Festive Flavor: A beautiful blend of Christmas spices and cocoa powder means every bite feels like a celebration.
Quick and Easy to Make: You’ll have batter mixed and waffles cooking in no time, perfect for busy holiday mornings or last-minute guests.
Flexible Ingredients: Whether you prefer honey or maple syrup, butter or oil, or want to add a splash of dark rum, this recipe adapts to your taste.
Great for Meal Prep and Freezing: Make a batch ahead for stress-free holiday breakfasts that still taste fresh and delicious.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this recipe has a special job to bring out the best in these festive waffles. I like to use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free mix for a fluffier texture, but plain all-purpose flour works just as well. The spices add seasonal warmth, and the cacao powder gives a subtle chocolatey depth that’s really surprising in a waffle. Here’s why these ingredients make this recipe shine:

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with almond flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing a mix of cinnamon sticks and star anise, a small white ceramic bowl of rich dark cacao powder, a small white ceramic bowl with light beige baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white baking soda, two whole brown eggs with clean uncracked shells, a small white ceramic bowl with golden amber honey, a small white ceramic bowl with melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl holding pale vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse sea salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl of dark amber rum, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy buttermilk, a small white ceramic bowl with light golden avocado oil, all perfectly arranged in balanced symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Flour: Provides structure; gluten-free mix keeps waffles soft without crumbling.
Christmas spice (or gingerbread spice): The heart of this recipe — cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring that holiday vibe.
Cacao powder: Adds a gentle chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with spices.
Baking powder & baking soda: Help the waffles rise and get perfectly fluffy.
Eggs: Bind the batter and add richness.
Honey or maple syrup: Natural sweetness that complements the spices.
Melted unsalted butter: Adds moisture and a buttery flavor; you can substitute with oil too.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with its sweet aroma.
Sea salt: Just a touch to balance sweetness and deepen flavors.
Dark rum (optional): Adds warmth and complexity — I love adding it for holiday brunches.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes waffles and adds a subtle tang; easy to make vegan by mixing plant milk with lemon juice.
Cooking oil spray (avocado or your favorite): Prevents sticking and helps waffles crisp up nicely.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe feels like a foundation you can really make your own. Over the years, I’ve learned that swapping out a few ingredients or topping these waffles differently keeps things fresh and fun. You’ll find yourself experimenting and loving each new version even more!

Dairy-Free Variation: I swap buttermilk with a mix of almond milk and apple cider vinegar, and replace butter with coconut oil – the waffles come out just as tender and delicious.
Adding Fruit: Toss in some fresh or dried cranberries into the batter for a tart surprise—I love that texture.
Spice Adjustment: Feel free to boost the cinnamon or add a pinch of ground cardamom if you want to get creative.
Rum-Free: Just skip the dark rum to keep it kid-friendly or alcohol-free without losing flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Thoroughly

I start by mixing the flour, Christmas spice blend, unsweetened cacao powder, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. It’s crucial to get the spices evenly distributed so every waffle bite tastes consistent. Plus, sifting in the baking powder and soda avoids little lumps that can cause uneven rises.

Step 2: Blend the Wet Ingredients with Care

In my biggest bowl, I whisk together eggs, honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, vanilla extract, sea salt, and the optional dark rum. After everything’s combined, I add the buttermilk to create the base. This mixture should look silky and rich — perfect for binding those fragrant dry ingredients.

Step 3: Combine Without Overmixing

Now the trick is to gently fold the dry mixture into the wet in two batches. I whisk just enough so the flour disappears but stop while the batter still has some lumps. Overmixing means tough waffles, and trust me, you want fluffy and tender every time!

Step 4: Preheat Waffle Iron & Cook

Once your waffle iron is hot (medium heat is perfect to avoid burning), I spray it lightly with avocado oil or brush with melted butter. I scoop about ¼ cup of batter per waffle, but this depends on your iron’s size — you want waffles just thick enough to crisp outside and stay plush inside. Cook each waffle about 3-5 minutes until golden brown and aromatic.

Step 5: Keep Warm and Crispy While You Finish

I like to put cooked waffles in a 200°F preheated oven, spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet. This keeps them warm and crispy without getting soggy while you finish cooking the rest of the batch. Patience here really pays off!

Top Tip

Making these festive waffles has been a journey of perfecting texture and flavor for me, and a few key tips have made all the difference. I’m sharing these so you can jump straight to waffle bliss without the trial and error.

Don’t Skip the Rest Period: I like to let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking — it helps the spices bloom and the leavening work magic.
Medium Heat Works Best: Too hot and the waffles burn outside but stay raw inside; too low and they turn out pallid. Medium temp nails that golden crisp.
Oil Your Waffle Iron Generously: I spray or brush the iron after every waffle — it keeps sticking at bay and keeps the exterior nice and crunchy.
Check Doneness Visually and By Smell: Golden color and that fragrant Christmas spice smell tell me it’s ready before the timer even buzzes!

How to Serve Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe

Festive Christmas Waffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My favorite toppings are creamy Greek yogurt swirled with a spoonful of nut butter (almond or peanut works great), fresh winter berries like raspberries and cranberries, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sometimes I add a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or chopped toasted pecans for crunch. These layers balance sweetness and spice perfectly.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these waffles with a simple salad of citrus segments and pomegranate seeds or a hot spiced apple cider. For a heartier brunch, crispy bacon or smoked turkey sausage sides complement the spicy-sweet waffles beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

At my holiday brunches, I’ve stacked waffles into mini towers with layers of fruit and cream, securing them with a festive cocktail skewer. You can also use cookie cutters to create star or tree shapes before serving for a fun seasonal touch kids love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I let leftover waffles cool completely on a rack to prevent sogginess, then stack them with parchment paper in between to store in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay delicious for 2-3 days—perfect for quick breakfasts.

Freezing

Freezing works wonderfully! I flash freeze my waffles on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you want a festive breakfast, pop waffles from frozen directly into the toaster or oven — they heat up crispy and fresh, no sogginess in sight.

Reheating

I reheat waffles in a toaster oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until warmed through and crisp. Avoid the microwave as it can make them rubbery. This way, you can enjoy that just-made texture even on busy mornings.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! I use Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1:1 flour mix and the waffles turn out just as fluffy and flavorful. Just make sure your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

What is the best way to make vegan buttermilk for this recipe?

You can easily make vegan buttermilk by mixing 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of unsweetened plant-based milk (like almond or soy) and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until slightly curdled. This mimics the acidity and works perfectly in the waffles.

Can I prepare waffle batter the night before?

While you can prepare batter ahead, I recommend mixing the dry and wet ingredients separately and combining them just before cooking. The leavening agents start working as soon as liquid is added, so batter can lose its rise if left overnight.

How do I keep waffles crispy when serving multiple people?

To keep waffles crispy while serving, place cooked waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven. This keeps them warm and prevents sogginess as you finish cooking the rest.

Final Thoughts

These Festive Christmas Waffles with Spices Recipe bring so much joy every time I make them. Beyond just a breakfast, they’re a comforting ritual that brightens chilly mornings and brings the spirit of the holidays right to your plate. Give them a try — I promise you’ll fall for that perfect blend of spice, chocolate, and buttery warmth, just like I did. Now, go ahead and make your kitchen smell like Christmas!