Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These waffles are everything a chocolate lover dreams of—crispy, tender, and full of deep cocoa flavor, with the added luxury of warm, melty caramel. They’re surprisingly easy to make with everyday ingredients, and you can top or fill them however you like. Whether you’re hosting brunch, celebrating a birthday, or just craving something sweet, these waffles will steal the show.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
all-purpose flour
unsweetened cocoa powder
baking powder
baking soda
salt
granulated sugar
eggs
milk (or buttermilk)
melted butter or vegetable oil
vanilla extract
caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
optional toppings: whipped cream, chocolate chips, sea salt, sliced bananas, nuts
Directions
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Grease the waffle iron with cooking spray or butter if needed.
- Pour batter into the waffle iron and cook according to your machine’s settings until crisp and cooked through.
- Immediately drizzle with warm caramel sauce or spread between layers if stacking.
- Add desired toppings and serve warm.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4–6 standard-size waffles.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Caramel-stuffed: Spoon a small amount of thick caramel in the center of the waffle batter before closing the iron for a molten core.
- Chocolate chip: Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for extra indulgence.
- Salted caramel: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel for a sweet-salty combo.
- Banana caramel: Top with caramelized banana slices and a drizzle of caramel.
- Ice cream sandwich: Use two waffles with ice cream and caramel sauce in between for a dessert version.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, use a toaster or oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to maintain crispiness.
Waffles can also be frozen. Let them cool completely, then wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a toaster or oven.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, store-bought caramel works great, but homemade caramel takes the flavor to the next level.
Can I make these waffles gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
What type of cocoa powder should I use?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder works best. For a deeper flavor, try Dutch-processed cocoa.
Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk?
Absolutely! Buttermilk adds a slight tang and makes the waffles extra tender.
How do I prevent waffles from getting soggy?
Cool them on a wire rack and avoid stacking immediately. This keeps the outsides crispy.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It’s best to use the batter right away for fluffy waffles, but you can refrigerate it for up to 1 day.
Can I use caramel candies instead of sauce?
You can melt soft caramel candies with a little cream or milk to make a sauce.
Can I make this without eggs?
Try using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) as a substitute.
What are the best toppings for chocolate caramel waffles?
Whipped cream, banana slices, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Are these good for dessert?
Definitely. Serve them with ice cream and caramel sauce for a show-stopping dessert.
Conclusion
Chocolate Caramel Waffles are rich, indulgent, and guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. With their crispy exterior, fudgy interior, and silky caramel topping, they’re perfect for a luxurious brunch or a memorable dessert. Make a batch and treat yourself—you deserve it.
PrintChocolate Caramel Waffles
Chocolate Caramel Waffles are rich, cocoa-infused waffles with a crisp exterior and tender interior, drizzled or stuffed with buttery caramel for a decadent breakfast or dessert treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 waffles
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk (or buttermilk)
- 1/3 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, chocolate chips, sea salt, sliced bananas, chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Grease the waffle iron with butter or cooking spray if needed.
- Pour batter into the waffle iron and cook according to your machine’s settings until crisp and fully cooked.
- Remove waffles and drizzle with warm caramel sauce or layer caramel between waffles if stacking.
- Top with optional additions like whipped cream, chocolate chips, or sliced bananas, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use buttermilk for extra tender waffles and richer flavor.
- Cool waffles on a wire rack to maintain crispiness.
- For a caramel-stuffed version, add a dollop of thick caramel in the center of the batter before closing the waffle iron.
- For best results, serve immediately after cooking with toppings of choice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg