This is an easy homemade stroopwafels recipe that will warm you through and through. Learn how to make stroopwafels without a Pizzelle, and you’ll be creating these classic wafer style cookies with a gooey filling in no time!
Stroopwafels are classic Dutch cookies that are similar to a thin waffle… filled with a delicious caramel like center. Don’t skip them!
I’m always overwhelmed with joy as we enter into December. It’s such a festive season filled with lights, wonder, endless activities, songs and movies that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside and scents of cookies baking, warm drinks, and fresh holidays greens.
Last month when I was en route to San Francisco anticipating the usual dry pretzels and prepared to decline when the flight attendant passed me something that caught my eye – a stroopwafel!
Hesitant, I took a bite. It was good, but then I started reading the package. You can place it on top of a hot cup of coffee or cocoa to warm the caramel-like syrup inside. I was sold.
Stroopwafels remind me of so many of the special holiday flavors we all love, though they aren’t limited to winter months. Don’t skip my classic Belgian Waffles, Best Cinnamon Rolls, and my delicious Cinnamon Quick Bread if you’re looking for more of the classics!
I’m always so excited to celebrate the joys of the season with family and friends. As you know, I love to entertain, but now that I’m more limited in time with a busy family and work life balance, I entertain a little differently.
These incredible stroopwafels are perfect for a morning coffee get together, but also stack beautifully {in a smaller portion} to make a great gift.
What is a Stroopwafel?
Are they a cookie or a waffle?
They are two layers of baked dough with caramel filling to create a crispy one of a kind cookie that originated in the Netherlands.
I simplified the recipe so that you can make stroopwafels at home without a Pizelle iron to enjoy with your coffee. If you don’t know what a Pizelle iron is, don’t worry.
We’re making life and delicious treats simple, just in time for holiday entertaining and gift giving! It’s the perfect treat for a coffee date to celebrate the season.
Why You’ll Love these Stroopwafels
- So easy to make
- They feel unique and special
- They serve beautifully with coffee
- Perfect for gifting
- Excellent as a breakfast or brunch treat because they feel a little waffle-like
- They’ll warm you through and through
Don’t be intimidated by yeast – in fact, I have a FREE detailed Guide to Baking with Yeast. These are as easy as my cinnamon rolls! The dough rises while you’re making the effortless (and oh-so-tasty) filling.
Stroopwafel Recipe Ingredients
- Water – warm water
- Yeast – rapid rise yeast.
- Flour – all-purpose flour
- Butter – Softened. I like salted butter for this recipe, but unsalted is fine if that’s what you have on hand. Learn how to soften butter quickly.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon adds flavor and fragrance to these cookies.
- Sugar – White granulated sugar is ideal here.
- Eggs – Large size eggs are generally best for baking.
Filling
- Butter – salted, softened.
- Brown sugar – packed, light brown or dark brown will work
- Cinnamon – for flavor and fragrance
- Dark corn syrup – to help create the caramelized effect.
Variations
- Instead of just the cinnamon listed here, try pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for a fun twist.
- Add a teaspoon of homemade vanilla extract to the filling for even more flavor.
How to Make Stroopwafels
- Pour warm water in a small bowl and pour yeast over it. I like to let it rest for around half an hour, up to an hour.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour and butter. Add cinnamon, sugar, yeast mixture and eggs until combined.
- Switch to dough hook or knead until smooth in texture (quick and easy). Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and dark corn syrup over medium heat. Stir frequently until bubbling and sugar is dissolved.
- Warm a griddle (you can also use a waffle cone iron or pizzelle) to medium heat. Drop a golf ball sized dough ball on the griddle and press with a lightly greased grill press. Let it sit for 30-60 seconds until crisp and brown, then flip using a turner and press again. Allow to cook 30 seconds.
- Once cooled, slice stroopwafel in half and spread a tablespoon {or more} of filling to create a sandwich.
How to Make a Stroopwafel Without a Pizzelle
- Use a grill press and a griddle! It’s so easy and takes just 30 seconds per wafel.
When you’re done, sit back, relax and place one on top of your mug, watch that filling slightly ooze and celebrate a job well done.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these with my amazing apple cider or pear cider for a fall twist!
- Even better, serve one with a spiked apple cider cocktail for an adult treat your friends and family will love.
Recipe Tips
- Plan accordingly with your timeline in order to let the dough rise for bit before making your stroopwafels.
- Spray with my favorite baking spray for a clean release.
Recipe Shortcuts
- Learn how to soften butter quickly. This will change your baking for the better!
Traditionally, they are served over a mug of a warm winter drink. Think hot chocolate, hot tea, warm apple cider or a mug of steaming coffee.
They are the best mix of a thin, soft cookie and a soft, thin waffle. The flavor is a little like a Belgian waffle with a filling that reminds you of caramel.
United Airlines serves this popular treat on their morning flights where I first enjoyed it.
In the microwave! I like to do 10-15 second increments to make sure they don’t get too hot.
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – Store your stroopwafels in a cool dry place in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Refrigerate – You can also store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze – Yes, you can freeze your stroopwafels! Wrap them tightly and store in the freezer for up to three months.
Dietary Considerations
- Vegetarian
- Nut Free
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
Stroopwafels
Ingredients
- ½ water warm
- 1 packet yeast rapid rise
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
Filling
- 1 cup butter salted
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/8 cup dark corn syrup or 6 tablespoons
Instructions
- Pour warm water in a small bowl and pour yeast over it. I like to let it rest for around half an hour, up to an hour.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour and butter. Add cinnamon, sugar, yeast mixture and eggs until combined.
- Switch to dough hook or knead until smooth in texture {quick and easy}. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and dark corn syrup over medium heat. Stir frequently until bubbling and sugar is dissolved.
- Warm a griddle {you can also use a waffle cone iron or pizzelle} to medium heat. Drop a golf ball sized dough ball on the griddle and press with a lightly greased grill press. Let it sit for 30-60 seconds until crisp and brown, then flip using a turner and press again. Allow to cook 30 seconds.
- Once cooled, slice wafel in half and spread a tablespoon {or more} of filling to create a sandwich.
Julie’s Tips
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
ooo YES! I love stroopwafels but I never make them at home because I don’t have a Pizelle iron! Gotta try these!
These look terrific! And coincidentally I just picked up a package of stroopwafels at the store yesterday, love them!
So simple yet perfect!
Ohhhhh, this brings back memories. We enjoyed freshly made stroopwafels at our stop to Curacao on a cruise earlier this year. The whole area smelled FANTASTIC. I want to try your recipe…with a cup of that coffee!
Yum Julie! The combination of these sweets and that cinnamon sugar cookie coffee sound divine!