These fall-flavored pumpkin waffles are the most decadent breakfast ever

You know you’re an adult when you ask for things like waffle makers for Christmas. But honestly, that waffle maker has actually made me a more creative cook. Instead of making just simple buttermilk or chocolate waffles, I spend hours creating fun and quirky waffles for breakfast, dinner and even dessert.

These waffles are the perfect example. Not only are they made with pumpkin and apple, but they are layered with creamy mascarpone cheese and then topped with a hearty spoonful of bourbon caramel. Perfect for those super-indulgent fall weekends.

Caramel apple pumpkin and bourbon mascarpone waffles recipe

Serves 4

Prep time: 8 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Total time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

For the waffles

• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg, beaten

For the apple topping

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large apple, chopped
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons water
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For the bourbon caramel

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 tablespoon bourbon

For the layers of filling

• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: 

1. Preheat a waffle iron to medium heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder and pumpkin pie spice. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and add in the milk, apple cider, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, applesauce and egg. Mix to combine.
3. Scoop the waffle batter into the waffle maker (1/2 cup at a time), and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown.
4. To make the apple topping, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped apples, brown sugar, water and cinnamon. Reduce the heat to low, and cook until softened and browned, about 12 minutes.
5. To make the caramel sauce, to a saucepan over medium heat, add the brown sugar, heavy cream and butter, whisking constantly for about 5 minutes or until thick. Add in the bourbon, and whisk some more.
6. To make the filling, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until the mixture is thick and fluffy.
7. To serve, stack a hefty spoonful of mascarpone whipped cream over 1 waffle, and stack with another waffle. Add more cheese to the top of the second waffle, and garnish with the soft apple topping and oozing caramel sauce.

More caramel apple recipes

Mini caramel apple bites
Caramel apple pie
Christmas caramel apples